Tuesday, November 16, 2010
New Ending
In an instant moment of time, the walls stopped inching closer and closer to me. All I could think was, 'Yes there is hope in deed!' I vigorously searched the dark, gloomy, unwelcoming cell for the reason as to why I am still breathing a breath of air. There in the dark corner, wrenched in-between the walls was that gory pendulum! My once death sentence is my life sentence. Hope is keeping me alive! The pendulum must have fallen just right from the ceiling to wedge itself to stop the walls. My hope is rising. My adrenaline is kicking into high gear. I will live! A slight crack in the door and a hand slowly reaches out...suspense seems to build. The hand opens, closes, and then disappears. Weird. While my eyes search up and down the cell to find a way out, I catch a glimpse of smokey air seeping from the door. The hand must have released the gas, but why and how?!?!? The hand never dropped anything. The smokey air seems to grow bigger and bigger. A horrid, suffocating smell fills my nose, my mouth, my heart, my lungs. The air makes its way through my body slowly but surely. A coughing fit arises. I am have moments of rest and then moments of uneasiness. I cant feel my body at all. All is numb. My vision is becoming cloudy. Where am I? Who is in front of me? A pounding fills my ears. My breath shortens. I can't breath. My time is near, I can feel. There are those judges in front of me with a gavel. Pound. The gavel knocks me out. The deadly air engulfs my body. I....
Team Poe
This past week, we had to decide if we wanted Team Poe or Team Irving. I did not get too much out of Irving's short story, "The Devil and Tom Walker." I have to be a part of Team Poe. Once I understand Poe's main idea in his stories, I enjoy his writing. I love how detailed he writes. I can visualize the scenes he is portraying for the reader. In the story, "The Fall of the House of Usher," I could see the house in my mind. Also when I read Poe's stories, I can imagine situations I usually wouldn't in real life. I get to see how his life experiences have influenced his writing style. Team Poe!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Poem Reflection
This past week we read the poem, "A Psalm of Life." I really liked this poem. The poem said we should live for today, not the past or the future. I feel today too many people worry about their future. They do not pay attention to what is happening right now. What happens if you die today? Do you have everything done you want to have done before you die? It is scary to think about. I think we all need to live life to the fullest. We need to live with no regrets because we will never know when God will call us home. I have learned in the past few years that you can not take anything for granted. We should appreciate each day like it is our last day. This poem really talked about how we need to live now and not later. Live for today!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
1950s
I decided to do a little research about blacklisting in the 1950s.
There was a list known as the Hollywood Blacklist. If you, a professional, was named on the list you were not allowed to partcipate in the entertainment business because of political beliefs. Many careers were damaged and ended due to this list. This list can be traced back to the 1930s where there was suspicion of communism rising in America. The House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) charged people with being communists. Some entertainment professionals (the Hollywood 10) were asked by the HUAC to testify, but they wouldn't. The Hollywood 10 were fired. Many people, not just high profile performers, were placed on this list. People were put on the list for associating with communists, for liberal cause involvements, etc. The names kept growing on the list once the public became aware.
I feel the Hollywood blacklist is exactly like the Salem Witch Trials. People just kept getting accused for their beliefs or associating with someone who had a wrong belief just like the accused "witches" in the Witch Trials. The teenage girls just kept accusing more and more people. The list went on and on just like the Hollywood Blacklist. I think it is wrong for people to ruin each other's career by putting them on a blacklist. The Hollywood Blacklist ruined many peoples lives that shouldn't have even been ruined in the first place. People shouldn't accuse others of their actions or beliefs if they do not know the facts. These accusations can get way out of hand.
site: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-was-the-hollywood-blacklist.htm
There was a list known as the Hollywood Blacklist. If you, a professional, was named on the list you were not allowed to partcipate in the entertainment business because of political beliefs. Many careers were damaged and ended due to this list. This list can be traced back to the 1930s where there was suspicion of communism rising in America. The House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) charged people with being communists. Some entertainment professionals (the Hollywood 10) were asked by the HUAC to testify, but they wouldn't. The Hollywood 10 were fired. Many people, not just high profile performers, were placed on this list. People were put on the list for associating with communists, for liberal cause involvements, etc. The names kept growing on the list once the public became aware.
I feel the Hollywood blacklist is exactly like the Salem Witch Trials. People just kept getting accused for their beliefs or associating with someone who had a wrong belief just like the accused "witches" in the Witch Trials. The teenage girls just kept accusing more and more people. The list went on and on just like the Hollywood Blacklist. I think it is wrong for people to ruin each other's career by putting them on a blacklist. The Hollywood Blacklist ruined many peoples lives that shouldn't have even been ruined in the first place. People shouldn't accuse others of their actions or beliefs if they do not know the facts. These accusations can get way out of hand.
site: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-was-the-hollywood-blacklist.htm
Friday, October 8, 2010
Crucible ACT ONE reflection
I have found the Crucible to be pretty interesting. In eighth grade after watching the Salem Witch Trial Movie I was kind of interested in why everything happened. Now that we are reading the Crucible I hope to find out a little more information. I find it quite interesting how everyone reacts to Ruth's and Betty's sickness. Some people really do believe the girls are bewitched. The younger girls such as Abby and Mary know the real truth of why the Betty and Ruth are acting the way they are. I find it very odd that Rebecca is very calm when she is checking on Betty. I feel she knows that Betty is just pretending to be bewitched. Many people don't believe Rebecca when she says that they just need to be patient. Betty will be too tired of playing up her sickness and will someday become normal. Everything seems to be like a domino effect. Parris claims to have seen Abby and some girls in the forest. Abby only tells like a half truth saying they were in the forest, but they were just dancing. Then Abby blames Tituba and says Tituba called the Devil in the forest. Tituba has to pretend to let God come into her so she doesn't get in trouble. Then Abby starts to yell and wants God to take her back also. Betty rises and starts crying out people who are witches. Abby joined in these accusations. I find it crazy how everyone just keeps going and making the situation bigger than what it actually is. Everything keeps piling on top of each other making the whole situation a huge mess. I wonder what would have happened if Parris didn't jump out of the bushes and scare the girls who were dancing. Would the Salem Witch Trials have ever occured???
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Puzzle Religious Reflection
I have decided to reflect about something I have observed this week and what religious lesson I have learned from my observation.
On Monday I went to voulnteer at a school. I help young children learn more about the Bible in a Bible Club. They had to put together a puzzle. The puzzle was in the shape of a heart. The children did not know this at first. They tried to keep putting the puzzle together, but it never worked. Finally after a few minutes, they were able to stop and think about the shape. They learned about a bible verse saying that God loved them. They put it together that the shape should be a heart. The kids were finally able to put the pieces in the right place.
By observing how the kids put the puzzle together, I learned about some religious lessons. The kids fought with each other a little bit about where each puzzle piece should go. In life, people fight with God. People get mad when bad situations overcome them. Say their mom is diagnosed with cancer, the husband and children might get mad at God and ask why her?! Also, I observed how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. When we follow God, everything works out good. Our life fits together like a puzzle. If we listen to God and do as he says, our life will fit together one piece at a time. Even if the puzzle pieces don't look as though they will fit together at times, eventually they will. In life, we may seem some situations God throws at us and not fitting into our life plan. When I hurt my knees, I didn't see this fitting into my life. I know someday that my puzzle will fit together. Each piece will have certain edges (characteristics) that make the puzzle (life) unique. Life is a puzzle that is being built one day at a time.
On Monday I went to voulnteer at a school. I help young children learn more about the Bible in a Bible Club. They had to put together a puzzle. The puzzle was in the shape of a heart. The children did not know this at first. They tried to keep putting the puzzle together, but it never worked. Finally after a few minutes, they were able to stop and think about the shape. They learned about a bible verse saying that God loved them. They put it together that the shape should be a heart. The kids were finally able to put the pieces in the right place.
By observing how the kids put the puzzle together, I learned about some religious lessons. The kids fought with each other a little bit about where each puzzle piece should go. In life, people fight with God. People get mad when bad situations overcome them. Say their mom is diagnosed with cancer, the husband and children might get mad at God and ask why her?! Also, I observed how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. When we follow God, everything works out good. Our life fits together like a puzzle. If we listen to God and do as he says, our life will fit together one piece at a time. Even if the puzzle pieces don't look as though they will fit together at times, eventually they will. In life, we may seem some situations God throws at us and not fitting into our life plan. When I hurt my knees, I didn't see this fitting into my life. I know someday that my puzzle will fit together. Each piece will have certain edges (characteristics) that make the puzzle (life) unique. Life is a puzzle that is being built one day at a time.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Myles Standish
After looking at the list of names I decided to write about Myles Standish. I do not remember talking about him. I decided to find out a little bit about him.
Myles Standish was part of Queen Elizabeth's army. While he was stationed in Holland, he met John Robinson and the Pilgrims. He came to know the Pilgrims well so they hired him as their military captain. He would establish and coordinate the colony's defense against the Native Americans. He sailed to the New World on the Mayflower. The first winter in the New World Myles Standish was one of the few who did not get sick.
Once in the New World, Standish played a big role in deciding where the Pilgrims would setttle . He led missions that explored Cape Cod. Standish organized a huge chunk of the Pilgrim colony. He got cannons for the colony and built the fort at Plymouth. Also, Standish led missions to trade or fight with the Indians. There was a group who went to find and get revenge on the leaders that killed Squanto. Standish headed this expedition. Also while the Pilgrims lived at Plymouth, some Indians planned on destroying the Pilgrims' homes. Standish decided to attack right back at the Indians. He led this attack as well. One bad quality was that Myles Standish had a short temper. He got angered easily. Eventhough he had enemies, many Pilgrims respected how he helped and led them in the New World.
I feell Myles Standish was to Plymouth as John Smith was to Jamestown. Standish made a huge impact on how Plymouth came to be. I feel the Pilgrims might have been destroyed or attacked by the Indians who were going to destroy Plymouth if Standish did not step up. Standish was well respected by the Pilgrims. I feel this respect and honor helped the Pilgrims to follow and listen to Standish more. I am happy I decided to research Myles Standish. He was one dedicated man to the Pilgrims and settling Plymouth.
Myles Standish was part of Queen Elizabeth's army. While he was stationed in Holland, he met John Robinson and the Pilgrims. He came to know the Pilgrims well so they hired him as their military captain. He would establish and coordinate the colony's defense against the Native Americans. He sailed to the New World on the Mayflower. The first winter in the New World Myles Standish was one of the few who did not get sick.
Once in the New World, Standish played a big role in deciding where the Pilgrims would setttle . He led missions that explored Cape Cod. Standish organized a huge chunk of the Pilgrim colony. He got cannons for the colony and built the fort at Plymouth. Also, Standish led missions to trade or fight with the Indians. There was a group who went to find and get revenge on the leaders that killed Squanto. Standish headed this expedition. Also while the Pilgrims lived at Plymouth, some Indians planned on destroying the Pilgrims' homes. Standish decided to attack right back at the Indians. He led this attack as well. One bad quality was that Myles Standish had a short temper. He got angered easily. Eventhough he had enemies, many Pilgrims respected how he helped and led them in the New World.
I feell Myles Standish was to Plymouth as John Smith was to Jamestown. Standish made a huge impact on how Plymouth came to be. I feel the Pilgrims might have been destroyed or attacked by the Indians who were going to destroy Plymouth if Standish did not step up. Standish was well respected by the Pilgrims. I feel this respect and honor helped the Pilgrims to follow and listen to Standish more. I am happy I decided to research Myles Standish. He was one dedicated man to the Pilgrims and settling Plymouth.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
La Relacion
In class this past week, we have been studying journals of early explorers. I was looking through my notebook and decided to have my post deal with La Relacion.
In La Relacion, Cabeza wrote how his men and himself became Medicine Men to the Native Americans. The journal relayed the information that to cure the sick, the medicine man was called. The sick gave the medicine man all he had in his possession. The medicine man would cut over the sick person's point of pain, suck on the wound, cauterize it, and blow on the spot to relieve the patient. From the journal, apparently the Natives would withhold food from the Spanish unless they healed the sick. The way the Spanish healed the sick was different from how the Natives healed the sick.
This certain picture shows Cabeza de Vaca healing a Native American. By the way the journal was written, Cabeza wrote that he and his crew cured the sick their way: making the sign of the cross on the sick, breathing on them, and saying the Lord's Prayer and Ave Maria over the sick. The Spanish would pray to God for the patient's recovery. On the other hand, the Native method was to cut the painful spot, suck on the wound, cauterize it, and blow on the spot. This picture looks as though Cabeza is performing the Native healing method. Cabeza never wrote that he performed his healing the Native way. He said that they did the cross motion and prayed. In the background, one of Cabeza's men is holding a cross. By Cabeza's journal, an actual cross was not present at the healing, just a sign of the cross was done over the patient.
From La Relacion, I do not think this healing picture is accurate. If a Native American was in place of Cabeza in the picture, the picture would be pretty accurate (the way the sick was healed). By what I read and what I see now, I feel that Cabeza did his way of healing by praying to God instead of cutting open the sick (the picture does not show this view).
In La Relacion, Cabeza wrote how his men and himself became Medicine Men to the Native Americans. The journal relayed the information that to cure the sick, the medicine man was called. The sick gave the medicine man all he had in his possession. The medicine man would cut over the sick person's point of pain, suck on the wound, cauterize it, and blow on the spot to relieve the patient. From the journal, apparently the Natives would withhold food from the Spanish unless they healed the sick. The way the Spanish healed the sick was different from how the Natives healed the sick.
This certain picture shows Cabeza de Vaca healing a Native American. By the way the journal was written, Cabeza wrote that he and his crew cured the sick their way: making the sign of the cross on the sick, breathing on them, and saying the Lord's Prayer and Ave Maria over the sick. The Spanish would pray to God for the patient's recovery. On the other hand, the Native method was to cut the painful spot, suck on the wound, cauterize it, and blow on the spot. This picture looks as though Cabeza is performing the Native healing method. Cabeza never wrote that he performed his healing the Native way. He said that they did the cross motion and prayed. In the background, one of Cabeza's men is holding a cross. By Cabeza's journal, an actual cross was not present at the healing, just a sign of the cross was done over the patient.
From La Relacion, I do not think this healing picture is accurate. If a Native American was in place of Cabeza in the picture, the picture would be pretty accurate (the way the sick was healed). By what I read and what I see now, I feel that Cabeza did his way of healing by praying to God instead of cutting open the sick (the picture does not show this view).
Monday, September 6, 2010
Native American Reflection!
Okay, so I tried to connect to everyone but I am not sure if I did it right. I'm crossing my fingers I did.....
This past week in class we have been reading about Native American myths. I did not realize the thought that went into how the Native Americans saw the world and how certain events happen.
I thought the story, "The World on Turtle's Back," was very interesting. The way the Native Americans explained how the world came to grow on a turtle's back was interesting. A woman fell from the Sky World and planted some dirt on a turtle's back. She kept walking around the soil to make the earth grow. The sky woman's daughter had twins. I found it very interesting how the Natives explained what the twins represented: good and bad. The right hand twin represented the day, truth, and the good in people while the left hand twin represented the night, lying, and the bad in people. The twins always fought with each other. Today people always fight with themselves about telling the truth or lying instead. There is always an internal struggle on what to do. Sometimes people might want to lie so they do not hurt someone's feelings by telling the truth. I struggle at times in life on which one to do. Everyone does at some point in their life. The way this story explains the struggle between the "twins" (good and bad) accurately shows how the struggle happens in a person's everyday life.
This past week in class we have been reading about Native American myths. I did not realize the thought that went into how the Native Americans saw the world and how certain events happen.
I thought the story, "The World on Turtle's Back," was very interesting. The way the Native Americans explained how the world came to grow on a turtle's back was interesting. A woman fell from the Sky World and planted some dirt on a turtle's back. She kept walking around the soil to make the earth grow. The sky woman's daughter had twins. I found it very interesting how the Natives explained what the twins represented: good and bad. The right hand twin represented the day, truth, and the good in people while the left hand twin represented the night, lying, and the bad in people. The twins always fought with each other. Today people always fight with themselves about telling the truth or lying instead. There is always an internal struggle on what to do. Sometimes people might want to lie so they do not hurt someone's feelings by telling the truth. I struggle at times in life on which one to do. Everyone does at some point in their life. The way this story explains the struggle between the "twins" (good and bad) accurately shows how the struggle happens in a person's everyday life.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
For my first post on my English Blog, I decided to post one of my favorite quotes. This quote reminds me of my basketball team from last year:
"Think like a champion: that means stepping up no matter what kind of obstacles life puts in front of you. It means digging deep within yourself and finding the will to fight, no matter how many times you get knocked down. Most of all, it means never taking the easy way out. It means no excuses no matter what."
---Vivian Stringer
"Think like a champion: that means stepping up no matter what kind of obstacles life puts in front of you. It means digging deep within yourself and finding the will to fight, no matter how many times you get knocked down. Most of all, it means never taking the easy way out. It means no excuses no matter what."
---Vivian Stringer
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