Final Reflection

Prompt:  Nine questions focused on my time in Mrs. Larson's Accelerated English/Language Arts classes ^_^

1.  What are the three most important things you learned this year?  Wow, starting off with perhaps the most difficult question.  To be truthful, I learned so many things.  Lessons about time management, communication, public speaking, friendship, tolerance, and life itself.  Whether this was through reading varied novels, or our treasured Socratic Seminars.  To say there are lessons more important than others is an injustice.  Everything matters, and every little detail is vital to living a happy and successful life.  I learned how to become my better self, and I learned more about my self at an exponential rate.  These may seem like very, well, egocentric observations. However, through this classes' unspoken teachings about ourselves, we all became more tolerant and open minded people.  This is the most important lesson for my generation.
 
2. What is something we did this yea that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
        Of course, our off topic side conversations were very memorable, but I think our in depth discussions will stay with me for quite a while.  Especially our gallery walks for the article of the week. I just love hearing what other people have to say about world events, because everyone has had a different background and perspective.  The Holocaust Unit was also powerful, and it definitely impacted the way I view history.

3. What was the nicest thing someone our class did for you this year?
As a class, I feel like we all came together more.  I wouldn't go as far (or as 'touchy-feely') as to say we became like a little family, but I would say we all looked out for each other.  I think it became apparent that we are all a little insecure socially.  Our class saw friendships shift, and new ones form.  Personally, I feel less lonely than I ever have in my life, and that's thanks to the amazing people I've become close to in this class.
   
4.  What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?
I hope that I set a good example through my writing and work for my classmates, and I hope someone got at least a laugh out of my 'rants'.  Maybe it was through my embarrassing phases in seventh grade, or other cautionary tale worthy things I've done, but I do believe there was at least a little to learn from me.

5.  In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements?  What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?
      Last year, as opposed to this year, was all about finding my style and trying to take off. I focused on strengthening my vocabulary, and finding what I was most interested in.  This year was all about development.  I think, or hope, that my writing flourished within my new found style (whatever that may be).  I also think my reading comprehension improved drastically. Currently, I am reading To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf which is a piece I would not have even considered reading at the beginning of this year.  I've said this before, but I'll say it again:  I don't believe in accomplishments! Everything is a progression, and there's always room for improvement.  This is what makes this subject so fun.  However, taking on an argumentative essay was definitely an accomplishment.

6.  What was the most challenging part of this year?  This year, I definitely struggled with time management. We all did.  It's natural, but preventable. I also struggled with being comfortable with my writing, my work, and myself in general.  I do love being challenged, and I suppose I do my best work under pressure.  Sometimes, I had trouble participating in class. A good challenge will always pay off in the end, and I hope to see where my experience in this class will take me in high school and beyond.

7.  What was the best piece of writing that you did this year?  Why do you think so?
I feel like my blog has really improved, but I'm never that confident with my writing.  I guess I'd like to hear what you all have to say.  Personally, I think my essay writing could have been much better, but I think I learned quite a bit.

8.  Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite?  And why?
    Each and every book has its impact, and this year proved no different.  I'd have to give credit to Notes From the Edge Times for giving me a completely new perspective on our planet, and Wuthering Heights for showing me how to really write great characters.  This year didn't have a definitive favorite like last years (The Picture of Dorian Gray), but most of the reading I did this year stemmed from the impact that novel had on me.  This has allowed me to branch out and explore even more genres and styles.

9.  What advice would you give students who are going to be in this class next year?
Of course, I'd always encourage future students to not procrastinate.  However, that's a lesson best learned by experience. Believe me, you'll learn.  Along with that advice, I'd like to say that third quarter will be your hardest, emotionally, mentally, and in motivation.  It may not seem like it will end, and that you can put off your assignments.  You should take care of yourself first, but keep your priorities straight.  Always revise (especially when it comes to essay writing!).  Make sure you participate.  With that, don't stop the introspection and insight when you leave the class for the day.  You'll learn so much about yourself in these next two years. So much.  Don't let an attitude or grudge hinder your growth.

Tuesdays with Morrie ~ Aphorism Project

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important.  This is because they're chasing the wrong things.  The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." 

 - Morrie Schwartz 

What did Morrie mean by this?  Although I think everyone can attach their own meaning to this, Morrie meant that people walk around unfilled and insatiable.  He believes everyone is chasing the wrong goals, and he explains that real meaning comes from within.

I guess this reminds me of Mad Men, where everyone is after each other but everyone also has deep set problems.  This aphorism also may relate to my own life, because I tend to get caught up in being busy and rushing around.  I tend to feel less happy when I do this, and when I take time and actually appreciate the important things, I feel happier.


Morrie's suggestions for a more meaningful life really spoke to me, and I can definitely say I agree with them.   It is so hard for people, especially for teens, to see purpose or meaning in their life, and not get caught up in the rigors of our everyday schedule.  Most people are disconnected from nature, meaningful relationships, and from seeing themselves as part of a whole.  And it's hard to think about anything but ourselves and what we 'need' to accomplish to 'succeed'.  I am no stranger to this, and while I try to keep the actually important things in mind, I always seem to end up "half-asleep". It's just how we are.  However, it is not an individualistic problem, but a societal one.  Ironically, this can directly segway back to the original aphorism.  Perhaps if we worked as a community, we would not have this sleepwalking issue. To create something to give our collective lives meaning.  We all strive for success, but really, who can define it?

Tuesdays With Morrie ~ Inspiration

Prompt: Of the six 'Tuesdays' you have read so far, which had the most impact on you and/or inspired you?

Perhaps I am too cynical, or have just read far too many similar books, but Tuesdays has been somewhat of a 'mindless' read.  I don't mean to sound insensitive, or purposefully cold, I just mean it has not inspired anything out of me as of yet.  However, there was one section that did provoke meaningful thought.  Emotions.

I've always somewhat avoided my emotions.  Rather, they've intimidated me.  Often, I take in more emotions than I can handle, and that leads to avoidance.  That being said, Morrie's quotes on "detaching from an emotion" were confusing at first.  There are so many conflicting philosophies on handling and taking in emotions.  Should I yield to them in order to 'live' fully, or should I strive for a command over them?  I suppose Morrie added another layer to this debate, although he simplified it in a more meaningful way.

I don't think I should drag this one out.  The author of Tuesdays does a great job of being concise, which makes the meaning stand out more.  I hope to improve my writing by dragging on less, because I've seen, and felt the impact brevity can have.

Comments: Autumn, to be continued,

Litworks 2015 ^_^

Prompt: I don't know anymore

Last Saturday, I attended (and worked at!) at Litworks, a teen literature convention.  Prominent, but sometimes lesser known, teen authors, give speeches and talk about their lives and books.  Usually, there is a broad range of genres and formats, ranging from fantasy and romance, to the graphic novel.  Everything dorky teens love, wrapped up in one convention.  I myself was one of them, the opportunity of meeting my favorite living author was too rare and special to pass up.  Because I have connections, I was able to personally chat with many of the authors..

Litworks is broken up into smaller sections, which occur after the entire panel of authors introduce themselves and give a bit of a motivational speech.  Then, you can go off into smaller sections and have a meet and greet and Q and A.  In my personal experience, writers are the best conversationalists and some of the most perceptive people.  It's interesting to hear about their journey to being published.  Usually, it is quite treacherous. The authors I went to see speak were Paul Griffin, Susane Colasanti, and my favorite, Chris Crutcher.

From learning about one author's troubled past, to another's stories about living in Manhattan, and advice on making your writing readable, I definitely took a lot out of this year's event.  Voice in writing is something I'd taken for granted, but I learned it is the most essential part of telling your story.  A few of the author's had some really cool/nice things to say about me.  I was close to crying when Chris Crutcher came over and talked to me.

I took some more pics of the autographed ones,
but they turned out kind of hipster-y

Life Is Beautiful and Night

Based on the Holocaust literature and poetry we have read, what connections can be made between Life Is Beautiful and our reading?  What events, scenes, or situations are similar or different?  What is similar or different about the mood or tone of the pieces?

The film, Life Is Beautiful, has so far had a unique tone compared to the multitudes of other creative media about the Holocaust I've seen.   Of course, many have tearjerking and edge-of-your-set scenes, but Life is Beautiful's delivery is vastly different.  A majority of these pieces have had an over-arching somber tone, while Guido's humor and quick-thinking merely alludes to the horrors taking place.  Another difference between this film and other pieces is that it focuses on Italian Jews, while many of the others have focused on the Eastern-European Jews.  As for similarities, there were just as many.
  The line "Maybe this is just a dream" has been recurring.  Also, interpersonal relationships have always been tested in pieces on the Holocaust. A major similarity between Night and Life is Beautiful is the prominent father and son relationship.

How is life shown as beautiful throughout the film? Pull out at least two examples from different parts of the film and explain your rationale.

Although the living conditions may not be beautiful towards the middle and end of the film, it is Guido's outlook and imagination that make life beautiful and... rich.   His boldness and resistance to silence, like we see in the loudspeaker scene, helps him stay true to his character and protect his son in times where life was less than magnificent.

Even when everything seemingly came crashing down at the camp, right before it was liberated, Guido still maintained his playful countenance and looked after his son, which was his final wish.  Giosue can live in peace with his mother, and life will remain beautiful for the two of them because they will remember Guido as he truly was.

12.4.15: Night: Changes in Elie

At the beginning of Night, there is a small separation between Elie and his faith.  Soon, the two become one, and Elie embraces and accepts faith as a part of his being and life.  It's important to note this because as the story progresses, we see a different separation of Elie and his faith taking place. Before the ghetto and the concentration camps, Elie hints at the happiness his Jewish faith gives him in statements like, "I told him how unhappy I was because I could not find a master in Sight to instruct me in the Zohar.." (Wiesel 4).  This shows his faith is not a burden, but a welcome and a comfort to him.

In consecutive sections, perhaps Two and Three, the author begins to question his beliefs.  Furthermore, when Elie thinks, "for the first time I felt anger rising within me.  The Almighty... Master of the Universe chose to be silent.  What was there to thank?" (Wiesel 33) it is clear a change in spirituality has taken place.  Here we see Wiesel growing separate from his previously all embracing-faith, which is the first change.  However, a second change is brought to light too.  No longer is Elie comforted by his faith, and this is shown through his anger at his God.

Later, he finds his faith to be a burden.  When the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur come around in the concentration camps, the reader can see Elie struggling to hold on to his faith.  No longer does it guide him, as it did throughout his first trials and inhumane situations, but it becomes a burden.  This is shown in his refusal to fast, stating, "But there is no longer any reason I should fast, I no longer accepted God's silence" (Wiesel 66).  He later says he felt a great void in his heart for doing so, but it also shows the change that has been made in his closeness and happiness with faith.

"Homesick" Butterfly Project

"Homesick"

I've lived in the ghetto here more than a year,
In Terezín, in the black town now,
And when I remember my old home so dear,
I can love it more than I did, somehow.

Ah, home, home,
Why did they tear me away?
Here the weak die easy as a feather
And when they die, they die forever.

I'd like to go back home again,
It makes me think of sweet spring flowers.
Before, when I used to live at home,
It never seemed so dear and fair.
I remember now those golden days…
But maybe I'll be going there again soon.

People walk along the street,
You see at once on each you meet
That there's a ghetto here,
A place of evil and of fear.
There's little to eat and much to want,
Where bit by bit, it's horror to live.
But no one must give up!
The world turns and times change.

Yet we all hope the time will come
When we'll go home again.
Now I know how dear it is
And often I remember it.

9.3.1943. Anonymous