The First and the Last

                                                     

Achievements, mishaps, excitement, a whirl wind of emotions and events have passed by with this following year.  Honors English is almost over. WOW! I can't believe that it has been a whole year already.  Looking back on the blogs that I have written over the course of the year was a lot of fun.  At the beginning of the year, I remember thinking, a blog, aahhhhhh I don't think I can do that!  Looking at my first blog to my last post there was a huge improvement and develop that I felt I achieved in my “blogging” career.  Rereading my first blog it sounded as if I was focusing more on "sounding good" rather than expressing myself through my writing.  As the year progressed, I felt like I vastly improved in that area.  I focused on showing myself through the writing rather than blank words that sounded good.  In the start of 2011, I included more pictures, color, and a few videos here and there showed more of me.  Even at the beginning I was afraid of what others thought of my ideas.  Was I right? Was there something wrong with what I wrote?  Did I get the totally wrong idea?  Now, I found that the ideas I wrote can be wrong, but noticing them and fixing them is nothing to be ashamed of.  Looking back on some of my many mistakes has helped me continue to grow as a writer.  It’s disappointing to think that next year there will be no more blogging.  I was just getting a hang of the whole thing.  This blog really helped me write whatever came to my head at the time.  It helped me to be more aware of writing freely rather then looking for the correct format or right answers.  

                           

“You must do the very thing you think you cannot do”

                                                             Eleanor Roosevelt      

            Like I said, I was in disbelief that I could ever complete a whole year of blogging and let alone developing as much as I did as a writer this year!  Now I am really encouraged to tackle the “I can’t do” list.  Like I said earlier on the Courtney Thomason blog, “you don’t fully know how much you are capable of achieving until you do.”  I hope next year I can continue to grow as I much as I did this year.

            I would like to thank those who have continued following this blog journey with me.  Thank you, Mrs. Gilman for all your recommendations, comments, and advice that you have given me throughout the year.  I always loved to come to English 1^st period.  Thank you for a great year.  However; like Robert Frost said, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” Thanks for the great journey. Yours truly,

                        Rachel 

DEFINITYELY PROJECTS

 This year’s projects, blogs, and writing assignments have been full of unexpected turns and twist for me.  For starters, the completion of every assignment had me wishing the same thing, “I wish I had one more day to make it perfect."  However; nothing can reach perfection and if someone has, I would like to know how they did it!  One of my favorite projects, looking back on it was our Outside Reading Assignment last semester.  The task, to create a visual aide to display some of the major points in the novel such as: characters, motifs, etc.  The novel I chose was Pride and Prejudice and there was so many fun opportunities that I really wanted to display.  I was limited, however, because my drawing skills aren't exactly up to par, but I still managed to do with what I had.
      In the end of all the cutting, gluing, moving, leveling, adding, subtracting, placing, etc. I had finally created a piece that I was proud of.  It wasn't a poster, but it was contained in a picture frame with some of the most important aspects from the book.  The countless hours creating it and the work/ stress I put into it finally paid off.  It’s always nice to make something that you are proud of!
      This year, out of all the activities we did I loved doing the projects!  This one, however, I liked the best.  

Poetry

My "poetic" career so far, has been very hard core.  Reading nursery rhymes before bed at the age of five and writing poetry for Mother's Day has set me up as a renowned poet.  One of my best experiences however, was part of Poetry Out Loud.  Before high school, I never really analyzed poetry.  For me, it’s always something that you read in your spare time.  However; reading Up Hill by Christina Rossetti led me through a new gate.  I had to really dig into the poem to understand its meaning. 

Being able to analyze a piece of poetry and finally understanding what the author’s intentions were planted a small seed of hope that I can really love poetry.  As you can see from my prior knowledge of poetry, I haven't had too many experiences.  It’s frustrating when you really don't understand a poem, because everything has a hidden meaning instead of literal interpretations.  Poetry Out Loud opened my eyes to the beauty of poetry.  Now I have a better understanding of how poetry can create connects between the author and her/his audience.  Once you have that experience, you want to keep reading more and more!  

            When I hear poetry I think: beautiful, interesting, unique, emotions, ideas, thoughts, dreams, and difficult.  To me poetry is difficult to understand, but at this point in time if I understand what the author is saying then I love Poetry.  If I don't understand what the author is getting at, then it can be really frustrating.  Right now, if I can get a grip on the whole concept of poetry then I could unlock another door of English!     

CONFLICT...CONFLICt...CONFLIct...CONFLict...CONFlict...CONflict...COnflict...Conflict...conflict

One of the very first conflicts that occurred in the novel set the cornerstone for the whole structure of the characters and the play itself.  In the beginning, we see Romeo's eternal conflict over Rosaline and how his love is not returned.  He thinks that by going to the ball that no other young lady in Verona could replace his love for her; however once he sees Juliet he quickly changes his mind.  This first display of his relationship with Rosaline turns to magnify how fake it was.  The play references to the common theme of "made of wax" or blind love.  This theme shows up as a description of Paris, it describes some of the relationships between the characters, and it describes some of the character's themselves.     

The problem that this creates is very real in our society today.  Everyone emphases and focuses more on what they are wearing, what people think, and how popular they are.  We teenagers go as far as acting one way in one place, and then being different somewhere else. (What Teenager today doesn't want to "fit in"? We all know that sometimes that means not acting ourselves...)   There are always fake facades that people put up and even relationships that are unstable (made of wax.) This idea of wax and blind love goes hand and hand with America today.  It's a hard truth to take in, but it is very real. 

Romeo and Juliet + today

        What I found that most alluded to Romeo and Juliet was "Ever Ever After" by Carrie Underwood.  The song is all about believing in true love and how everyone wants to believe in happy endings. Romeo and Juliet were so much in love that they weren't looking for approval from anyone, they just wanted to be with each other (living happily ever after). They knew what everyone else would think about there marriage, but they only focused on being together.  Each character took the risk for the idea that because fate brought them together then fate would help them stay together.  Even Juliet decides to go after her true love rather than a man that her parents want her to love. They both are looking for their love and there Ever Ever After.... 

Connections?

Romeo and Juliet...two people, two different households, two enemies- come together in love.  We each connect to the novel differently even though it was written a long time ago.  The author died, but the Romeo and Juliet legacy lives on.  For me, my connection isn't with the main characters necessary, but it’s with Benvolio, Romeo's cousin.  I can total relate with the concept of friendship, and I'm sure we all can.  Benvolio is always trying to cheer Romeo up and would do anything to make him happy again.  This is a crucial concept in my mind.  If anyone was upset, I will do almost anything to cheer them up.  I always try to be there to pick up the pieces and put them back together as fast as possible!  I love how Benvolio is constantly reminding Romeo of what else it out there and still staying positive.  On the other hand, I have been in Romeo's position... (Not so depressed over something), but when I am upset my "Benvolios"- aka friends- are always right behind me cheering me on.

I must be completely and totally honest that I am having a hard time deciphering the "Shakespearean" language by myself.  It’s hard to keep on looking to the left side for word meanings, to the reading page, think about all the concepts, and read at the same time.  Reading in class is much more affective for me.  Hearing it in different voices then my own. Going back over it in class I get a more insightful idea on some of the metaphors, pun, etc. that I was oblivious to. It's getting easier as we get into the novel, and I am hoping that by the end I will be fluent in understanding the "Shakespearean" language. 

Theme :)

The recurrence of the main themes throughout Great Expectations creates a different atmosphere where it’s not all about the plot. However; it also mirrors sometimes our own experiences.  The one that I picked out was "it’s not all about materialism" i.e. money, parties, etc. It’s about the people in our lives that ultimately matter the most.  How we live our lives is our choice, but we will always want more than what we have.  You could want the newest ipod touch, or to be the most popular person on Facebook; but what happens after that?  What I think about is countries around the world.  Here in America it’s all about I want...can I get?... and I got to have!.  Each one of us thinks more about our possession and ourselves than sometimes the people around us.  We are all very guilty, sadly to say.  However, in places like the third world countries, there are people who are less fortinute.  They stick together and try to service every day. ( I am not saying it doesn’t happen here to.  It was just an example.)  What they value the most is family.  Beside for their basic need of survival sometimes or in most cases they are happier with less than we are with more because they have each other!  Money can't buy you happiness; materials can't make you happy; but the people around you can!

Great Expectations response

   I noticed that a lot of people really disliked Great Expectations, but I actually enjoyed reading the book.  What I loved most about the novel was Dickens's writing.  Yes, he used very elaborate language that was hard to follow, but he wrote is such a way that it made you really love the characters or really hate them.  Everything was very well connected.  Even the smallest of details such as the literary devises came together at the end.  Discussions really helped me understand some of the small details that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.  The middle was boring, but the fluctuation of the novel keeps you on your toes.  Even with the small clues that were given, I still didn't catch the mysteries on my own, however; it was fun to have a few surprises.  The only major piece that I didn't like about Great Expectations was the ending.  It was disappointing that Pip didn't marry Bibby! :( Joe marrying Bibby? NOOOOO!

From the very front cover to that backs binding, I read all the way though!  It was a ton of reading, but I am glad I can say, I DID IT.  I got into a routine of picking the book up on a Saturday afternoon and reading through Monday and Tuesday’s assignment.  I always had my laptop in hand with dictionary.com readily available and Sparknotes just in case.  After Tuesday, I would be rushing to get it done with all my other homework, so that I didn't fall behind.  Usually I was sitting on the couch in the living room or sometimes sitting at my desk (aka dining room table) with my feet up on the other chair across from me.  Over all, I comprehended the book pretty well.  Without our daily discussions I wouldn't have done as well, but with that help it was attainable.  As far as annotations go, I would read through an assignment and take notes as I went, then I would go back to the notes and annotate, then read, and repeat.      

Rachel

Survey

I did the survey :) I don't know if you got the results or not. :)
Thanks

  

How many animals can you find? 

MYSTERY! This picture is full of hidden animals, but you just have to look closely at every little detail.  In Great Expectations there is a lot of those "little details" that tie into the novel.  A lot of the mysteries you have to look closely at before you can solve them.  From the very beginning of the novel to this point, there were always mysteries that streamlined all the events.  Who Estella's parents are?  Or who Pip's benefactor was? Or even, how did becoming a gentleman help Pip?  All these questions were there, but slowly they were answered.  That is why I like about reading this book, everything gets solved in the end. 

    

Nemo Lovers!

Great Expectations is all about a little boy named Pip who has a big dream to rise in society to become a gentleman.  Charles Dickens works through Pip's eyes, and shows through each chapter the difficulties of growing up.  When he eventually gets his "expectations" they don't seem as significant and wonderful as he had imagined.  It seems as a reader, that he had everything he wanted as a blacksmith right in front of him. He just didn't see it. 

 Great Expectations reminds me a lot of Finding Nemo.  Finding Nemo is all about a little fish named Nemo who lives in the ocean, but gets caught and taken to a fish tank.  How does this relate to Great Expectations?  Well, Nemo is a lot like Mr. Pip.  They both are growing up and making their own mistakes along the way. I chose Nemo because he didn't appreciate his dad.  Instead of loving and listening to his father, Nemo goes and does his own thing.  Pip acts the same way towards Joe, and doesn't appreciate him for all that he has given him.  Their "I know it all attitude" is apparent from the beginning, but they both have a big conscience that is always telling them right from wrong.  Through all of this both of their dad's still love them. 

            The theme of “growing up” is portrayed in both stories. 
I hoped you enjoyed! 

Gentlemen?

"After two or three days, when I was had established myself in my room and had gone backward and forward to London several times, and had ordered all I wanted of my tradesmen..." Chapter 24, pg. 196 (Pip)

            The main theme from "Great Expectations" is becoming a gentleman.  Dickens enriches the novel with doubles, symbols, and motif that all gravitate over this idea.  In the second stage, Pip has matured in age and is trying to get used to life in London.  He meets the "pale young gentlemen" Herbert, and starts to get settled to the new life that was thrown on him unexpectedly.  As a reader, the second stage hasn't been to interesting to follow, but what I found most interesting was how he gradually starts to spend more and more money.  Upon his arrival, he was told that he just had to ask Mr. Jagger for money and it will be given to him.  When he first goes to Mr. Jagger to buy furniture he is very hesitant and doesn't know how much to take, but then later it tells us that he is spending a lot of money. 

This increase in spending brings out the theme of becoming a gentlemen.  Being a gentlemen means that you are higher in society, you are rich, and you have the best of everything.  Pip's mind is slowly getting trained to spend his money just like a gentleman, without a care.  This same idea was also brought up in stage 1 when he is getting ready to leave Joe and Bibby.  Instead of showing appreciation towards them for their gratitude and kindness, he acts full of himself and believes that he is better than both of them.  To the reader, this change in Pip is devastating.  What happened to the innocent young boy?  All because of becoming a gentleman, he thinks that he is now in higher standings and able to do whatever he wants.      

The first link for both of us

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." 

Reading this quote more times than I can count, my opinion is that there is always that one day/event that alters or changes you in such a way, that from then on you are held in that direction.  That because of that one day a link is started that can never be broken…"bound you" from then on.  For Pip, that day was when he met Estella at Miss Havisham's Iron Gate.  Before this day Pip was surrounded by people of his own class.  His view of the world seemed to be the only view that he had.  When he went to Miss Havisham's, he saw all the jewels and gems and realized that he was just "common".  He no-longer had a romantic view of the world.  He no-longer had a childish view, but his ambitions changed.  He strived to become both "un-common" and a gentlemen for Estella. In my opinion, Pip went from a oblivious little boy to being hit with reality.  These changes weren't really positive or negative.  I think that most of us see it as negative because your connection with Pip's character is with a sweet little boy. When he grows older he grows out of his cuteness.  When he grows up he seems to lose a lot of his innocence and dreams that I think we all love.  

The one day that was my first link was my 8th grade camp experience.  At the end of the year all the 8th graders went to a retreat...more like a bonding experience.  It was a ton of fun and it opened my eyes to the reality that things that you love have to come to an end, but there is always another door opening.  That through thick and thin your friends or family are always going to be there for you.   

"I had believed in the best parlour as a most elegant saloon; I had believed in the front door as a mysterious portal of the Temple of State whose solemn opening was attached with sacrifice of roast flowls; I had beieved in the kitchen as a chaste through not magnificent appartment; I had believed in the forge as the glowing road to manhood and independence.  Within a single year all this had changed"  (Chapter 14, 106)

Help Wanted

HELP WANTED

PROBLEM: Misunderstanding of Great Expectations.

DETAILS: I am greatly confused with Pip and "his convict’s" relationship. The convict always is very hostile and says things like "Keep still, you little devil, or I'll cut your throat!" (Chapter 1, p.2) Then later in chapter three he questions him to make sure that he did not slip any word about his escape to the authorities.  What I am trying to refer to is later when the troops are marching through the mash how does the convict not assume that he led the Sargent to find him?  He was essentially with the attacking party that was coming after him. In chapter 5, p.36 Pip says, “I looked at him eagerly when he looked at me, and slightly moved my hands and shook my head.  I had been waiting for him to see me that I might try to assure him of my innocence.  It was not at all expressed to me that he even comprehended my intention, for he gave me a look that I did not understand, and it passed in a moment." If you could provide some explanation for this that would be great!
  
REWARD FOR EXPLANATION: Pride :)
PLEASE HELP IF YOU HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ASAP!!!!
Thanks

Changes and Lots of Questions

Whats new:
So I made a pretty big jump in my paragraph.  I changed it so that it was the development of white lies.  In other words, I talked about how it went from showing that the characters were superficial and how those lies developed into being necessary for everyday life. (Plus the ideas you both game me about being un-recognizable and how everyone uses it in society.) Does that sound ok?
Questions: Ok, so I started to write my beginning thesis, but I was wondering.. 1. Do I need to include the title and the author because right before my paragraph it already says it?  I didn't want to be repetitive, but I wasn't sure if it needed to be included. 2. When we say our quote how are we going to reference it to the book?  For example: (Algernon, P.8) or just (P.8)   3. Is my topic to broad? I wasn't sure?  Now that I read it I am not sure if it is  ok or not?  Last question :)
4. How do I make this commentary instead of plot summary? "Instead, lane does the same maneuver and comes up with his own excuse.  No guilt is passed between the two, but the event is quickly forgotten and the subject forgotten and the subject never touched upon."  I am talking the sandwiches and how there lies are un-noticed..
Thanks.. Sorry for all the questions :) See you Monday

Extending the truth or dishonesty?

What's the difference between spreading one more lie and being dishonest with one more person?  The views of dishonesty in the Importance of Being Earnest seems second nature to every character.  Whether it is about humor, satire on society, the pursuit of pleasure etc. you will find that there is a mark of dishonesty between every line.  Later in Act III Lady Bracknell is talking about her husband and says, "I do not propose to undeceive him.  Indeed I have never undeceived him on any question.  I would consider it wrong." In her view, it seems that dishonesty is deceitful, but it is good to use in many cases, such as in relationships.  Speaking of relationships, I found that most of the Satire was found in humor, but also in marriage.  In Act I Jack tells Algernon that he certainly won't need Bunbury as an excuse to get away from his wife.  However, Algernon replays, "Then your wife will.  You don't seem to realize, that in married life three is company and two is none."  Not only in marriage, but both Algernon and Jack tried to convince their fiancés that their names were Ernest. They were completely dishonest which is the exact opposite of being EARNEST.  It was also seen as second nature for the upper class to skip anything, such as business meeting, for their own pleasure.   

In my opinion, Oscar Wilde is saying that yes everyone is dishonest or untruthful about something, but living your whole life without telling the truth will end up coming back and hurting you or the people you love. In the end Jack states, "I've now realized for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest." 

So many projects so little time

Great Job Everyone!! Here are just a few Animal Farm Creative projects:
Movies
1. Molly, Sarah, and Grace
Comments:  I thought that they had done such a great job on capturing irony, foreshadowing, symbolism...etc.  I loved all the affects, and I like how it was on a real farm.  I can't think of any improvements.
2. Sherwin, Ketl, Chase, and Zack
Comments:  Once again this group also did really well with including irony, foreshadowing, symbolism...etc.  I like how they put the song "Beast of England" in their movie.  It just brought together the whole book and having that in the video was a great idea.
3. Alena and Mackenzie
Comments:  They did great as well.  I liked how the farm house was set up. I  also really liked that there was a caption before each event.  The movie sort of explained itself and its flow from one event to another was great.  
Comic strips
4. Sean
Comments:  It looks like that would have taken a long time.  He defiantly spent a lot of time on it, and I like all the pictures and everything that he decided to include.  It was very creative and a fun idea. 
5. Paul and Will
Comments:  Doing a timeline was really creative.  I liked how it was from the very beginning of the book all the way to the end.  Also all the animations, such as the pictures and the captions went really well with the text. The project captured the meaning of Animal Farm. 
6. Leah
Comments:  I loved her project.  It was very creative to include Squealer trying to accommodate for all of the pigs opposite ideas.  It was presented so much throughout the book that it was a great way of showing what he really meant.   
Pictures
7. Sara E. 
Comments:  Sarah did really well with including the whole Animal Farm theme into a picture.  I like that she explained what exactly each piece in the picture was and how it was incorporated in Animal Farm.  It was well done and it looks like she spent a lot of time on it.  Good job! 
8. Kayla
Comments: She did more of a diagram of the Animal Farm Hero's and classes.  She did such a great job with creating the pyramid and all the different characters.  It was a good presentation of the book and it brought the book more to life.  Way to think outside the box!...Haha get it because you did a pyramid...
PowerPoint
9. Melanie
Comments: Melanie's PowerPoint was a really fun and organized way for the creative project.  I loved how she added music and all the little details she included.  It was very creative and it was a great idea! 
Poem
10. Reagan
Comments:  Reagan did so well with her poem.  It was so fluent and I love how she included tyranny as a hidden meaning that was also in the book.  It was really fun to read and very creative.  I liked it a lot.

Wow, it was really fun to look through all the projects and everyone's different ideas.  Each one was unique and I enjoyed the variety of projects.  I felt that my project conveyed the Elements of Literature.  It defiantly took a long time, and I really did put a lot of effort into it.  I had fun though, and I though mine was pretty good.  It was different than a lot of the projects, but I was going for a different perspective.  So good job everyone!

Extra credit NEW YEARS REVOLUTION

     Every year millions of people partake in making New year's resolutions.  In other words, they set goals for the "New" year and try to accomplish as much as possible.  This year, my New Year's resolution is to balance academics with extra-curricular activities (i.e. volleyball, youth group, homework, etc.)  It's hard to fit everything in a single 24 hour day.  Hopefully, somehow this year I can figure out a way to keep everything on schedule!    

Animal Farm Creative Project

http://www.fileupyours.com/view/299656/holiday-squares.ppt%20rachel.ppt