When I first saw this in the list of articles for us to read I was a little irritated. Even now, three years after this article was written, this is still a pretty hot topic. We can't seem to escape it.
While I don't entirely disagree with everything the article said, I'm not completely convinced that the Internet is keeping us from deeply thinking on our own. It has definitely altered our lives very much, but I haven't noticed that much of a difference at least in my life.
I don't know about everyone else but I've always skimmed articles and essays when I've had to write a research paper. I don't really enjoy reading informational things like that, so I always hunt and peck for what I'm looking for. Since the Internet has become more and more used I haven't noticed any difference in the way I do research papers. Besides the Internet I still use books and magazines too. Sometimes though, it's just more convenient to use the Internet because it's faster than looking through a book or magazine. Plus, when I'm reading a book, long or short, I don't get distracted like the author said he does. I don't notice any difference, unless I honestly don't enjoy the book, I keep reading, getting caught up in the characters and story.
A sentence that really caught my attention was, "it is clear that users are not reading online in the traditional sense; indeed there are signs that new forms of "reading" are emerging as users "power browse" horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins." Why are these new ways of reading? Why read a whole article if you just need one piece of information that may not be at the beginning? That's not to say you should always read like that, it's just a tool to help you with something like writing a research paper.
Another thing that came to my attention was, "our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." I've never really noticed a difference in my writing, but then again I've never really paid attention. That kind of blows my mind that your writing style could change depending on if you're using a pen and paper or a computer. I guess I'll have to pay more attention when I'm writing!
One thing I definitely agree with is that the Internet causes us to be "scattered brained" as my grandma says. There are so many distractions. You could be writing a paper, chatting on Facebook, and watching a TV show all at the same time. Obviously, this can't prove to be a good thing. Your paper would suffer because you're so distracted, your friend would be put on hold many times throughout your conversation, and you wouldn't catch half of the TV show you're watching. Besides that, your mind wouldn't be able to take in and manage all that going around you. You might not remember half the things you would have if you had been focused on one thing.
The Internet has really helped us, but I guess we really need to draw boundaries. Too much of anything isn't good.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
We All Dream, Even Skunks
Well, where do I begin? At the beginning of this story it was easy for me to read, I was intrigued by the fact that a skunk was sleeping on this girl's legs. I can't even imagine what it would be like having a skunk sleep on me, I probably would have tried to get out of my sleeping bag. One thing for sure, I most likely wouldn't have gotten any sleep that night!
As I kept reading I found myself questioning the authors sanity. From the sentence, "I have found my best dreams come to me in cheap motels," on, I felt like she was a little, not to be rude, nuts. This confused me because she went on to tell a story and I couldn't tell if it had happened in real life or in her dream. Reading further on though, it seems the bit about the motel with the tissuey, brown sheets (gross) is real. I can't imagine having to sleep with all of my clothes on because my bed isn't good enough.
And then there's her dream.
It surprised me how much of her dream she remembered. While I remember many of my dreams and probably more detail than most people, she remembered very specefic details that even when awake a lot of people wouldn't remember. I wonder if this is when her facination with the woodsy wild began? After this dream it seemed that everything and anything she talked about had to do with nature and animals.
I also thought it strange that she thought of the dream so much later in life. Sometimes I think of dreams, but only a couple days after I've had them, not years. And then, when she finds the hunting area for the Blue Mountain Forest Association the story gets really weird for me. The fact that she dreamt about it and now it was in front of her is a little freaky. It must have been destiny that she found it?
I have so many questions after reading this piece. Have I ever had dreams that will come true in the future, will I? She said she fell in love, with who? Are there many places like hunting area for the Blue Mountain Forest Association? Was the author going crazy? Is she obsessed with Skunks?
Lastly, I have to agree with Adam Phillips that without obstacles we would never feel accomplished. And I've never connected in dreams that we are rewarded with no challenge (well, most of the time). Why is that? Maybe because "a dream is a wish your heart makes?" :)
As I kept reading I found myself questioning the authors sanity. From the sentence, "I have found my best dreams come to me in cheap motels," on, I felt like she was a little, not to be rude, nuts. This confused me because she went on to tell a story and I couldn't tell if it had happened in real life or in her dream. Reading further on though, it seems the bit about the motel with the tissuey, brown sheets (gross) is real. I can't imagine having to sleep with all of my clothes on because my bed isn't good enough.
And then there's her dream.
It surprised me how much of her dream she remembered. While I remember many of my dreams and probably more detail than most people, she remembered very specefic details that even when awake a lot of people wouldn't remember. I wonder if this is when her facination with the woodsy wild began? After this dream it seemed that everything and anything she talked about had to do with nature and animals.
I also thought it strange that she thought of the dream so much later in life. Sometimes I think of dreams, but only a couple days after I've had them, not years. And then, when she finds the hunting area for the Blue Mountain Forest Association the story gets really weird for me. The fact that she dreamt about it and now it was in front of her is a little freaky. It must have been destiny that she found it?
I have so many questions after reading this piece. Have I ever had dreams that will come true in the future, will I? She said she fell in love, with who? Are there many places like hunting area for the Blue Mountain Forest Association? Was the author going crazy? Is she obsessed with Skunks?
Lastly, I have to agree with Adam Phillips that without obstacles we would never feel accomplished. And I've never connected in dreams that we are rewarded with no challenge (well, most of the time). Why is that? Maybe because "a dream is a wish your heart makes?" :)
Wouldn't You Like to be the "Talk of the Town?!"
Like most Americans over the age of 13, I remember 9/11 distinctly. I was in 2nd grade, going to Beverly Gardens elementary school on an air force base located in Dayton, Ohio. We were sitting in class when we were told we had to go home. Our parents had been notified and arrangements were made for every child to go home or somewhere they could be taken care of. Living down the street from the school, I walked, quickly. I had no idea what had happened, but from the way the teachers were acting, I knew it was bad. My mom was home from work early (she and my step dad were in the air force), and when I went to turn on the TV she said, "There's nothing on. The news is on every channel." Of course, being in 2nd grade, I didn't believe her. I soon found her to be telling the truth, every channel was showing the same thing: two planes crashing into the Twin Towers. I didn't understand, but I was scared.
John Updike's account of that day is outstanding. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising as he told of what he and his wife were witnessing. The way he explains it in the first paragraph like watching a TV that has perfect reception is a dime. How could you witness something like that without the thought that it was unreal? Something so horrible couldn't possibly be happening right in front of your eyes. The sentence that really caught my attention in that first paragraph was, "it seemed, at that first glance, more curious than horrendous: smoke speckled with bits of paper curled into the cloudless sky, and strange inky rivulets ran down the giant structure's vertically corrugated surface." On TV, you had the choice of turning it off, but for most of the people of New York, it was there in front of them, in plain view, and they had to watch it. Not knowing what to expect, of course they would watch, slowly realizing they were in the midst of a nightmare.
And then it hits them, "we knew we had just witnessed thousands of deaths; we clung to each other as if we ourselves were falling." I can't imagine that feeling, realizing you were in the front seat a Hollywood movie come to life.
Updike goes on to make many good points about freedom in America. While it is a good thing and should never be taken away from anyone, it comes with its risks. You can board any plane you want, get on any bus, walk down any sidewalk, but there is always the risk that something bad will happen to you. The plane or bus can crash, and while you're walking someone could come up next to you and hurt you.
I also like Susan Sontag's essay. She was very straightforward with what she had to say. Right off the bat she said that while some say the men that caused 9/11 were cowards she highly disagreed. She also felt that the politicians were lying to us, they kept saying the United States was fine, when quite frankly, it wasn't.
The paragraph that really caught my attention from Sontag's essay was the conclusion. She makes point after point after point. The strongest point of this paragraph for me is, "lets by all means grieve together. But let's not be stupid together." She is so right! It's alright for any group of people to be said together, help each other up again, but there is a line. Don't lie to make the others around you feel better. I'd rather know the truth and what needs to happen than a lie to make me feel better at the time.
John Updike's account of that day is outstanding. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising as he told of what he and his wife were witnessing. The way he explains it in the first paragraph like watching a TV that has perfect reception is a dime. How could you witness something like that without the thought that it was unreal? Something so horrible couldn't possibly be happening right in front of your eyes. The sentence that really caught my attention in that first paragraph was, "it seemed, at that first glance, more curious than horrendous: smoke speckled with bits of paper curled into the cloudless sky, and strange inky rivulets ran down the giant structure's vertically corrugated surface." On TV, you had the choice of turning it off, but for most of the people of New York, it was there in front of them, in plain view, and they had to watch it. Not knowing what to expect, of course they would watch, slowly realizing they were in the midst of a nightmare.
And then it hits them, "we knew we had just witnessed thousands of deaths; we clung to each other as if we ourselves were falling." I can't imagine that feeling, realizing you were in the front seat a Hollywood movie come to life.
Updike goes on to make many good points about freedom in America. While it is a good thing and should never be taken away from anyone, it comes with its risks. You can board any plane you want, get on any bus, walk down any sidewalk, but there is always the risk that something bad will happen to you. The plane or bus can crash, and while you're walking someone could come up next to you and hurt you.
I also like Susan Sontag's essay. She was very straightforward with what she had to say. Right off the bat she said that while some say the men that caused 9/11 were cowards she highly disagreed. She also felt that the politicians were lying to us, they kept saying the United States was fine, when quite frankly, it wasn't.
The paragraph that really caught my attention from Sontag's essay was the conclusion. She makes point after point after point. The strongest point of this paragraph for me is, "lets by all means grieve together. But let's not be stupid together." She is so right! It's alright for any group of people to be said together, help each other up again, but there is a line. Don't lie to make the others around you feel better. I'd rather know the truth and what needs to happen than a lie to make me feel better at the time.
I'm in love alright, with my crazy, beautiful life...
Well hey there beautiful people!
I sat here for awhile pondering where I should begin. What do people want to know about me? What do they already know? But after much thought I figured, it doesn't really matter much what other people want to know so much as what I'm willing to tell.
We'll start at the basics, family and friends! I live with my grandparents, Alexa and Dennis Law, to whom I owe the world. I've lived with them for quite some time because my mom passed away when I was 9 years old. My dad lives close by in Madison and I often visit him, my step mom, and my little sisters. I also have a 11 year old brother, Montez. He lives in Texas with his other grandparents. I have many friends, but my close knit group consists of crazy, funny, caring, smart, gifted people that make me smile and laugh everyday. We constantly find ourselves at Culvers, driving around aimlessly, singing at the top of our lungs, spitting some rhymes, dancing like no one's watching, watching movies, and in awkward situations.
Now for the fun, or rather, hardest part...describing myself. Where do I begin? I talk too loud, smile too big, laugh too hard, sing at the top of my lungs, hum when you're talking to me, dance everywhere, cry over the simplest things, love music, old movies (new too), purple, Batman, summer, eyes, the New Boyz (especially Legacy), Vinny Guadagnino, Chris Brown, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter (books and movies), musicals, pictures, dancing, reading, smiling, laughing, walking barefoot, watching sports, art, root beer, and life. I'm constantly quoting the New Boyz, the Jersey Shore cast, imagining my life as a musical, and watching movie after movie.
This too, like the beginning, took much thought. I didn't know what was left to say, what more I could tell you about myself, or the people I enjoy spending my time with. I wanted to end with something that everyone could relate to, something that every person has thought about at least once in their life time. And then it hit me, we all have hopes and dreams. While my dreams may not be the same as many other people, this common ground of wanting something more in life can bring us together. I have many dreams, both big and little. I want to travel, have an adventure, meet new people, fall in love, and be happy. I dream about being on Broadway, conducting a symphony, and having a family. Besides the serious I have the typical teenage dreams too. I daydream about making a song with Chris Brown, singing a duet with Frank Sinatra (in digital form, like Elvis and Celine Dion),hanging out with the New Boyz, and being in a movie with Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Sandra Bullock, Zoe Saldana, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and many, many more. Who knows, maybe one day all of these dreams will come true.
Don't worry though, I won't forget you when I'm famous. :)
I sat here for awhile pondering where I should begin. What do people want to know about me? What do they already know? But after much thought I figured, it doesn't really matter much what other people want to know so much as what I'm willing to tell.
We'll start at the basics, family and friends! I live with my grandparents, Alexa and Dennis Law, to whom I owe the world. I've lived with them for quite some time because my mom passed away when I was 9 years old. My dad lives close by in Madison and I often visit him, my step mom, and my little sisters. I also have a 11 year old brother, Montez. He lives in Texas with his other grandparents. I have many friends, but my close knit group consists of crazy, funny, caring, smart, gifted people that make me smile and laugh everyday. We constantly find ourselves at Culvers, driving around aimlessly, singing at the top of our lungs, spitting some rhymes, dancing like no one's watching, watching movies, and in awkward situations.
Now for the fun, or rather, hardest part...describing myself. Where do I begin? I talk too loud, smile too big, laugh too hard, sing at the top of my lungs, hum when you're talking to me, dance everywhere, cry over the simplest things, love music, old movies (new too), purple, Batman, summer, eyes, the New Boyz (especially Legacy), Vinny Guadagnino, Chris Brown, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter (books and movies), musicals, pictures, dancing, reading, smiling, laughing, walking barefoot, watching sports, art, root beer, and life. I'm constantly quoting the New Boyz, the Jersey Shore cast, imagining my life as a musical, and watching movie after movie.
This too, like the beginning, took much thought. I didn't know what was left to say, what more I could tell you about myself, or the people I enjoy spending my time with. I wanted to end with something that everyone could relate to, something that every person has thought about at least once in their life time. And then it hit me, we all have hopes and dreams. While my dreams may not be the same as many other people, this common ground of wanting something more in life can bring us together. I have many dreams, both big and little. I want to travel, have an adventure, meet new people, fall in love, and be happy. I dream about being on Broadway, conducting a symphony, and having a family. Besides the serious I have the typical teenage dreams too. I daydream about making a song with Chris Brown, singing a duet with Frank Sinatra (in digital form, like Elvis and Celine Dion),hanging out with the New Boyz, and being in a movie with Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Sandra Bullock, Zoe Saldana, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and many, many more. Who knows, maybe one day all of these dreams will come true.
Don't worry though, I won't forget you when I'm famous. :)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
My Final Farewell To College Lit
Well, it's been fun. This quarter is ending which means so is College Lit. I have to say, I really enjoyed this class, people and all. From Holden in Catcher In The Rye, to Pan's Labrynth it's been a fun time. I'll never forget Cales, "Jane, come hither," the dating do's and don'ts, and of course the great discussions we had everyday.
For my final post I wanted to discuss one of my favorite readings of the quarter. I really enjoyed reading Persepolis. It openned my eyes to a new culture and what normal people go through on a daily basis. This little girl had to grow up watching the people around her and the people she loved, and her country suffer through so much for so long. she went through things that most of us will never experience in our life time. It taught me not to take my freedom for granted. There are so many people that fear walking out their front door, it's time I start doing something more helpful with my life.
For my final post I wanted to discuss one of my favorite readings of the quarter. I really enjoyed reading Persepolis. It openned my eyes to a new culture and what normal people go through on a daily basis. This little girl had to grow up watching the people around her and the people she loved, and her country suffer through so much for so long. she went through things that most of us will never experience in our life time. It taught me not to take my freedom for granted. There are so many people that fear walking out their front door, it's time I start doing something more helpful with my life.
Pan's Labrynth
Well, what can I say? From the weird faun to the creepy child-eating creature, Pan's Labrynth has proven to be a great movie! It's such a good way to depict a child going from small child with an endless amount of dreams to a young child that realizes life isn't always fun and fairytales. Of course, the child finds all of these things out in crazy ways, but then again, it's got to be interesting, right?
So, even though its gory, has had me in tears, and keeps me on my toes, I really like it and am glad Mr. Kunkle is having us watch it!
So, even though its gory, has had me in tears, and keeps me on my toes, I really like it and am glad Mr. Kunkle is having us watch it!
A Final Look At Persepolis
When I first heard we were reading Percepolis I was a little confused. I know I'm the one that collects comic books and should be really familiar with reading this style but honestly, I'm not. When I get a new comic it stays in its plastic forever and goes on a shelf with the others. Yes, I of course admire it for awhile, but I never open them.
Persepolis was a very good read, from the first page on. It was really interesting to read but also see the pictures laid out before me. It really helped to get what the author was saying across. Also, the pictures helped the tensity of the book get down to a lower level. It was a really powerful book in the sense that so many people went through such a hard time for much of their youth through adulthoold, the pictures definitely helped me get through the book better!
Persepolis was a very good read, from the first page on. It was really interesting to read but also see the pictures laid out before me. It really helped to get what the author was saying across. Also, the pictures helped the tensity of the book get down to a lower level. It was a really powerful book in the sense that so many people went through such a hard time for much of their youth through adulthoold, the pictures definitely helped me get through the book better!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Smart House, A Walk To Remember, and Feed
When reading the parts of Feed that take place when Titus is at School^TM I couldn't help but be reminded of Smart House, a Disney Channel original movie. For those of you that don't know what Smart House is, it's a story about a house that has technology that does anything for you. It makes all the food you ask for, decorates your room with live picutres and scenes on your walls, and even cleans up after your messes. The program is called Pat. I made this connection because the Feed does everything for the people that have them. And in the end, they both are not what everyone thought they were.
I also connected this book to A Walk To Remember. These two are similar because they are both based around a love story, and both love stories are unusual in a sense. In A Walk To Remember, Landon and Jamie are from totally different social groups and backgrounds. Landon is the most popular boy in school, while Jamie is made fun of constantly. Similarily in Feed, Titus is very popular while Violet doen't really have any friends. In each story they fall in love with eachother and towards the end something tragic happens to the girls. But you'll have to read Feed or watch (or read) A Walk To Rembemver to find out!
I also connected this book to A Walk To Remember. These two are similar because they are both based around a love story, and both love stories are unusual in a sense. In A Walk To Remember, Landon and Jamie are from totally different social groups and backgrounds. Landon is the most popular boy in school, while Jamie is made fun of constantly. Similarily in Feed, Titus is very popular while Violet doen't really have any friends. In each story they fall in love with eachother and towards the end something tragic happens to the girls. But you'll have to read Feed or watch (or read) A Walk To Rembemver to find out!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wrongs of Passage
1. I do agree with Sydney to some extent, but some ideas I'm not so sure about. I do agree that turning 16, 18, and 21 are important ages, but I don't believe that just turning those ages means you're an adult. There are plenty of 18-year-olds that act as if they were still young children. I do agree though that everyone must go through their own certain steps into adulthood. I don't necessarily agree that it involves a change in their routine, but it absolutely does have to do with changes in a person's life.
2. Well, at this point in my life I'd say a rite of passage I've had so far is my mom dying when I was nine. It was March 10th of 2004. I went through so much in that time period. I watched my mom suffer, I saw the people around me, the adults that were supposed to never let anything bad happen, suffer. The person I was supposed to be able to always count on was no longer there for me to lean on. I felt a responsibilty to grow up for my younger brother, just three at the time. I had to be strong for him. I think I did grow up a lot thoughout the nine months my mom was sick.
2. Well, at this point in my life I'd say a rite of passage I've had so far is my mom dying when I was nine. It was March 10th of 2004. I went through so much in that time period. I watched my mom suffer, I saw the people around me, the adults that were supposed to never let anything bad happen, suffer. The person I was supposed to be able to always count on was no longer there for me to lean on. I felt a responsibilty to grow up for my younger brother, just three at the time. I had to be strong for him. I think I did grow up a lot thoughout the nine months my mom was sick.
Monday, February 28, 2011
My Final Look At Jane Eyre
If I were in Jane's shoes, I don't know what I would do. While she has every right to be upset with him I guess I understand why he wouldn't tell her about Bertha, but at the same time, she had every right to know. But can you blame him? I mean, Bertha is completely nuts. It must be really hard to look at her or even think about her knowing that she once was a beautiful, sane woman, and now she crawls on the ground and pounces on him like a lion every chance she gets.
The final reading is quite intense. Its just so weird how Jane was having cold feet before the wedding and then all of this was thrust upon her right when she felt everything was actually going to take place. While I was sad for Jane I thought it was a really good twist to the book, it made the reader really interested in what was happening to the people of Thornfield.
I do think this book should be taught in College literature because it teaches kids how to get through a book they may not actually like, but to read it anyway. It has a really interesting plot if you actually get into it and keep reading, but a lot of kids don't seem to.
I will say though, that this book is difficult to anetate as you're reading it because it takes a lot longer to go through everything when you have to stop and highlight or make a note when you notice somthing. I know it helps to be able to go back when looking through the book, but when you're reading you just want to get it done and anetating sometimes doubles the time and for Jane Eyre, that could easily be two hours.
The final reading is quite intense. Its just so weird how Jane was having cold feet before the wedding and then all of this was thrust upon her right when she felt everything was actually going to take place. While I was sad for Jane I thought it was a really good twist to the book, it made the reader really interested in what was happening to the people of Thornfield.
I do think this book should be taught in College literature because it teaches kids how to get through a book they may not actually like, but to read it anyway. It has a really interesting plot if you actually get into it and keep reading, but a lot of kids don't seem to.
I will say though, that this book is difficult to anetate as you're reading it because it takes a lot longer to go through everything when you have to stop and highlight or make a note when you notice somthing. I know it helps to be able to go back when looking through the book, but when you're reading you just want to get it done and anetating sometimes doubles the time and for Jane Eyre, that could easily be two hours.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Out of All Other Diseases, How Did I End Up With Scarlet Fever?
While we were reading Jane Eyre and it came to the part of the Typhus epidemic, I couldn't help but remember my bout with Scarlet Fever.
I was in second grade, and was experiencing what seemed like a hard core cold. My nose, my throat, and my mouth were all swollen and I had these weird red spots throughout my body. But not only that, I was so tired all the time, especially after the simplest activities like walking up the steps. With all these symptoms, I had no fever though.
As time passed, my throat got so bad I couldn't swallow anything. Finally, my mom took me to the doctor. After some tests, the doctors came back and said I had strep throat...and Scarlet Fever. He said it was caused by going from one extreme temperature to the next. What I don't understand, is where did I experience such a strong temperature change? I lived in Dayton, Ohio!
Seeing as Scarlet fever is contagious (and strep throat for the first 24 hours after you take antibiotics), I couldn't go to school as long as I had it. Which, seeing as I loved school, sucked. I sat around all day eating popsicles because I couldn't swallow anything. And while I like popsicles, after about 10, they just don't cut it anymore.
So, for the next couple of weeks, my days were filled with popsicles, movies, and naps. Which probably seems alright, but the sick part, was not fun at all.
For those of you that don't know what Scarlet Fever is its symptoms are, like I mentioned before, a swollen throat, mouth, and nose. You also get a rash all over your body, called Scarlatina. The part you can't see though, is the toxemia. Toxemia is blood poisoning, caused by the presence of toxins from bacteria in the blood.
I was in second grade, and was experiencing what seemed like a hard core cold. My nose, my throat, and my mouth were all swollen and I had these weird red spots throughout my body. But not only that, I was so tired all the time, especially after the simplest activities like walking up the steps. With all these symptoms, I had no fever though.
As time passed, my throat got so bad I couldn't swallow anything. Finally, my mom took me to the doctor. After some tests, the doctors came back and said I had strep throat...and Scarlet Fever. He said it was caused by going from one extreme temperature to the next. What I don't understand, is where did I experience such a strong temperature change? I lived in Dayton, Ohio!
Seeing as Scarlet fever is contagious (and strep throat for the first 24 hours after you take antibiotics), I couldn't go to school as long as I had it. Which, seeing as I loved school, sucked. I sat around all day eating popsicles because I couldn't swallow anything. And while I like popsicles, after about 10, they just don't cut it anymore.
So, for the next couple of weeks, my days were filled with popsicles, movies, and naps. Which probably seems alright, but the sick part, was not fun at all.
For those of you that don't know what Scarlet Fever is its symptoms are, like I mentioned before, a swollen throat, mouth, and nose. You also get a rash all over your body, called Scarlatina. The part you can't see though, is the toxemia. Toxemia is blood poisoning, caused by the presence of toxins from bacteria in the blood.
American Teenager
When watching this movie I couldn't help but see similarities to McFarland. While many situations seemed very extreme and unrealistic, I think that for the most part it seemed accurate. Many kids in the class seemed doubtful that many of those things go on in McFarland. I mostly agree, but then this thought recently came to mind.
What if we don't believe it doesn't go on because we are so absorbed in our lives and our friends lives that we don't see what goes on in others around us? There are plenty of people, or "cliques" that we don't talk to or even notice everyday in school. How could we know what's going on in other's lives if we don't actually take the time to stop and observe what's happening to them? Many may argue that word travels fast in McFarland because we're such a small community, so whatever is going on, everyone knows about it, but I absolutely disagree. There are many students that go unnoticed during high school by their peers around them. They may be going through something unimaginable and you would never know.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is, we don't know how accurate or inaccurate that documentary really is, and I don't know if we ever really can.
What if we don't believe it doesn't go on because we are so absorbed in our lives and our friends lives that we don't see what goes on in others around us? There are plenty of people, or "cliques" that we don't talk to or even notice everyday in school. How could we know what's going on in other's lives if we don't actually take the time to stop and observe what's happening to them? Many may argue that word travels fast in McFarland because we're such a small community, so whatever is going on, everyone knows about it, but I absolutely disagree. There are many students that go unnoticed during high school by their peers around them. They may be going through something unimaginable and you would never know.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is, we don't know how accurate or inaccurate that documentary really is, and I don't know if we ever really can.
My Thoughts On Holden
As we kept reading The Catcher In The Rye, I couldn't help but notice that Holden really liked kids. Not in a creepy way, but he seemed to really connect with them. Each time I read more in the book I just couldn't help but notice how every time he spoke of a child, just any child, he, at least for a moment, seemed normal. He seemed happy even.
This led me to think, as we ended the book, that maybe one thing that is really bothering Holden is growing up. He talks about how immature he is all the time, and he isn't the only one. But what really set off this idea is the ending of the book. Holden talks about wanting to protect all the children from "falling over the cliff." i think this cliff is loss of innocence. He wants to protect kids from every losing their innocence and he continues to wish he hadn't.
This led me to think, as we ended the book, that maybe one thing that is really bothering Holden is growing up. He talks about how immature he is all the time, and he isn't the only one. But what really set off this idea is the ending of the book. Holden talks about wanting to protect all the children from "falling over the cliff." i think this cliff is loss of innocence. He wants to protect kids from every losing their innocence and he continues to wish he hadn't.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A Look at the Past
I found it really interesting when Holden described his brother, Allie.
"He's dead now. He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18th, 1946. You'd have liked him. He was two years younger than I was, but he was about fifty times as intelligent. He was terrifically intelligent...But it wasn't just that he was the most intelligent member in the family. He was also the nicest, in many ways."
I chose this because I think Salinger does a phenomenal job of showing Holden's love for his brother. Holden doesn't like to talk about his past, but when talking about Allie I can just see him glowing with pride as he spoke of all his qualities. It is so well written that I felt like Holden was really talking to, telling me about his amazing little brother. I could see him letting go of his emotions as he went back to what seemed like the happiest time of his life.
What I take from this selection in the book is that Holden was hurt very much when his brother died. He cared for him so much and he was taken away from him at such a young age. Maybe he doesn't care about anything in his life because he thinks that no matter how hard he tries, everything will be taken away from him in the end.
"He's dead now. He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18th, 1946. You'd have liked him. He was two years younger than I was, but he was about fifty times as intelligent. He was terrifically intelligent...But it wasn't just that he was the most intelligent member in the family. He was also the nicest, in many ways."
I chose this because I think Salinger does a phenomenal job of showing Holden's love for his brother. Holden doesn't like to talk about his past, but when talking about Allie I can just see him glowing with pride as he spoke of all his qualities. It is so well written that I felt like Holden was really talking to, telling me about his amazing little brother. I could see him letting go of his emotions as he went back to what seemed like the happiest time of his life.
What I take from this selection in the book is that Holden was hurt very much when his brother died. He cared for him so much and he was taken away from him at such a young age. Maybe he doesn't care about anything in his life because he thinks that no matter how hard he tries, everything will be taken away from him in the end.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Trials and Triumphs of A Stubborn Child
Though a number of my childhood incidents don't stick in my head as well as I'd like, there is one particular incident i will never forget.
One sunny, summer day I was playing with my neighbor, and first friend, Andrew. We had been playing for much of the day in his sandbox. But today, this sandbox wasn't just any sandbox, it was a kitchen! We were pretending we had a restaurant under our lovely home, which was really just the old playhouse held up by wooden posts with a trap door in the bottom to get into the sandbox.
Up until this point we had been playing so intently in the sand, we hadn't gotten up for at least two hours. Getting an idea, Andrew decided to cross to the other side of the yard. Of course, I followed.
I didn't mention earlier that Andrew's family had a dog. It may seem that this s is irrelevant to the story, but it happens to he one of the key factors into what is later to come.
His dog Oliver, Ollie for short, spent most of his days outside as well, often times being involved in our many games. Of course, like all animals, Ollie's "bathroom" was the great outdoors, equivalent to Andrew's backyard in Ollie's eyes.
To make sure their yard stayed clean, Andrew's family used shovels to pick everything up. That's what we were getting at this time, a shovel. As we crossed the yard Andrew found the shovel he was looking for, picked it up, and put it over his shoulder, the sharp edge facing in the direction of his back. Having just been cleaned Andrew was going to put it away and grab something from their shed. Just then, he stopped.
The silence of the summer air was broken by a piercing scream. A high shriek that could be heard all through the neighborhood. Having felt a force against the shovel Andrew turned around to see me sitting on the ground wailing with pain. He saw the blood dripping down my forehead and face, oozing from the place where the blade had cut.
I'll never forget how i felt at that moment, looking up at Andrew watching me with terror. I remember feeling as if worms were crawling out of my head, and then falling down my face, never stopping. I had never experienced such a pain in my life, and to his day have never felt anything like it. I hope I never experience it again.
The rest of the day is more of a blur. I ended up being carried by Andrew's dad, whom I had never seen run as fast as I did that day, to my house, where i was immediately strapped in the car and taken to the emergency room. I ended up getting stitches for my first time that day. All i vaguely remember thinking is it felt like the doctor was flossing my head.
Even as my memories start to fade, this I remember. And anytime i start to forget, all it takes to remember is the scar i still have next to my right eyebrow.
One sunny, summer day I was playing with my neighbor, and first friend, Andrew. We had been playing for much of the day in his sandbox. But today, this sandbox wasn't just any sandbox, it was a kitchen! We were pretending we had a restaurant under our lovely home, which was really just the old playhouse held up by wooden posts with a trap door in the bottom to get into the sandbox.
Up until this point we had been playing so intently in the sand, we hadn't gotten up for at least two hours. Getting an idea, Andrew decided to cross to the other side of the yard. Of course, I followed.
I didn't mention earlier that Andrew's family had a dog. It may seem that this s is irrelevant to the story, but it happens to he one of the key factors into what is later to come.
His dog Oliver, Ollie for short, spent most of his days outside as well, often times being involved in our many games. Of course, like all animals, Ollie's "bathroom" was the great outdoors, equivalent to Andrew's backyard in Ollie's eyes.
To make sure their yard stayed clean, Andrew's family used shovels to pick everything up. That's what we were getting at this time, a shovel. As we crossed the yard Andrew found the shovel he was looking for, picked it up, and put it over his shoulder, the sharp edge facing in the direction of his back. Having just been cleaned Andrew was going to put it away and grab something from their shed. Just then, he stopped.
The silence of the summer air was broken by a piercing scream. A high shriek that could be heard all through the neighborhood. Having felt a force against the shovel Andrew turned around to see me sitting on the ground wailing with pain. He saw the blood dripping down my forehead and face, oozing from the place where the blade had cut.
I'll never forget how i felt at that moment, looking up at Andrew watching me with terror. I remember feeling as if worms were crawling out of my head, and then falling down my face, never stopping. I had never experienced such a pain in my life, and to his day have never felt anything like it. I hope I never experience it again.
The rest of the day is more of a blur. I ended up being carried by Andrew's dad, whom I had never seen run as fast as I did that day, to my house, where i was immediately strapped in the car and taken to the emergency room. I ended up getting stitches for my first time that day. All i vaguely remember thinking is it felt like the doctor was flossing my head.
Even as my memories start to fade, this I remember. And anytime i start to forget, all it takes to remember is the scar i still have next to my right eyebrow.
Hello.
Well hey there everyone.
First off, as you probably know, my name is Cassandra. To start, I have many interests including: music, books, movies, writing, acting, singing, art, and I'm also a really big sports fan. I love spending time with my family, especially my ten year old brother, Montez, though unfortunately, he lives in Texas.
My post high school plans are to attend college. I'm planning on majoring in music education (instrumental), and minoring in english. I hope to become a high school band teacher and if that doesn't work out a high school english teacher.
I've read many books and can't choose just one favorite, but I always like to read Just as Long as We're Together, by Judy Blume, over and kver again. My favorite movie of all time is Dirty Dancing, because i LOVE dancing and music. Whenever I watch it I just feel very happy. Though I like so many musicians, Frank Sinatra and Radiohead have to be my top two favorites to listen to.
First off, as you probably know, my name is Cassandra. To start, I have many interests including: music, books, movies, writing, acting, singing, art, and I'm also a really big sports fan. I love spending time with my family, especially my ten year old brother, Montez, though unfortunately, he lives in Texas.
My post high school plans are to attend college. I'm planning on majoring in music education (instrumental), and minoring in english. I hope to become a high school band teacher and if that doesn't work out a high school english teacher.
I've read many books and can't choose just one favorite, but I always like to read Just as Long as We're Together, by Judy Blume, over and kver again. My favorite movie of all time is Dirty Dancing, because i LOVE dancing and music. Whenever I watch it I just feel very happy. Though I like so many musicians, Frank Sinatra and Radiohead have to be my top two favorites to listen to.
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