The End.

          I have come such a long way this year. The introduction to my blog still remains true to me this day. I am still a smart alec and love to give my inout on things. My writing has changed drastically though. I don't think I knew half of the stuff I know now about essays or five part paragraphs. Honors was a challenge, but I couldn't be happier that I did it.
         My weaknesses have always been anything involved with technology. I wish I would have made a movie at some point this year. I never used to be good at seeing things for more than just what they appear to be. My favorite thing we did this year was the poem "The Knife". That poem was just phenomenal to me. My five part paragraph, however, was not so phenomenal. I was always used to getting all A's, so at first in honors English getting B's was shocking to me. I learned to appreciate B's after awhile though. My voabulary, thanks to Word Power, has improved greatly too. It may not show in this blog though... My overall tone has stayed the same in my blogs, but not in my writing. I definietly sound more mature and experienced. I suppose I have grown a lot as a person this year and not even realized it.
          My strong personality traits still show through even though I have changed. My comparison with Boo Radley to fireworks was very surface level. If it was today and I was reading To Kill A Mockingbird I would have probably compared him to growing up. We're all fascinated with mystery, but I am scared to be on my own someday. When I grow up I will  probably realize that it isn't all that bad, just like Jem and Scout realized that Boo was actually a good guy.
          Something I loved about this class was the choice of books. I would have probably never chosen any of the books we read for myself. I would have given up on Great Expectations if it wasn't required for me to read. I am glad I stuck to it and finished. Almost all the books we read are considered classics, yet not a lot of people read them anymore. I will look into more classics for reading material in the future.
          Fishbowl disscussions are a huge part of honors English. I have always been one to speak up, but these were a surprise to me. All of my fellow smart classmates are very intimidating. I learned how to get a word or two in with them though. There is definietly an art to it. I have also learned how to pose interesting and relavant questions to my disscussion.
          Poetry Out Loud was an interesting experience. I wish I would have picked a more difficult poem though. I could have challenged myself more. Now I know for years to come though! Watching all of the other people recite their poems makes you really appreciate poetry. Overall it was a good experience to have under belt.
          Honors English and Mrs.Gilman have taught me so much. Its amazing how words and writing can really shape you as a person. I was not eager to start this blog, but it has been a great place to refelect on my learning. This year went by so fast. I had a good freshman year and I cannot even begin to explain how much I learned about myself and my writing.

                    "Be Yourself"

I know it is over used, but really you'll get far if you stay true to who you are.

Freshman Memory of Honors English

          My favorite part of honors english was To Kill a Mockingbird. I am not most proud of that five part paragraph, but to this day it remains to be one of my favorite books. The assignment I am most proud of is definetly my Great Expectations essay. I hated that book and wanted to throw it against my wall every night while reading it, but I am so proud of myself for finishing it and writing a great essay on it. Now that I think about it, that book was actually okay. Just painfully boring in my opinion. I am so glad I took honors english and had Mrs.Gilman as a teacher. I learned so many things this year and really improved as a writer. I also learned many skills concerning finding the deeper meaning of literature. I recommend this class to incoming freshmen.

My Experiences with Poetry

          At Olympia High School's Martin Luther King Jr. assembly, a man from New York came to read poems and talk to us. He was so inspirational that I don't even remember his name... just kidding. He really touched me. His poems were all written by him and related to every single person. He told a story about him being stuck in his car one day and how frustrated he was. We all get to that point in life and he wrote a beautiful poem on a napkin he found in the trunk of his car. It just shows that a normal person can write so beautifully and relate to other people through a magnificent thing called poetry.
          I really regret not writing his name down... He was an amazing poet that put out so many great messages. He told us that everyone was equal in their own beautiful way and it may sound chessy, but when you look at the people around you it's true. He was a teacher in a ghetto area in New York just because he wanted to improve those kids lives. It takes a good person to do that.
          When I think of poetry I think of emotions just in general. It has a deep meaning for me and I enjoy reading it and would love to learn more about it.

Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

          I am going to go into in deep detail on the conflict of Romeo and Juliet wanting to be together. The Montague's and Capulet's already hate each other, so fir their only children to be in love and get married is the worse thing that could possibly happen. Juliet is suppose to marry Paris, but can't because she loves Romeo. So then she takes this potion so it makes her appear dead so that she won't have to marry Paris. If Romeo had never snuck into her party he would have never met her, been banished from Verona, or caused so mayn problems for Juliet.
          This conflict relates to my life in a petty and shallow way, but I am going to explain it anyways (with fake names). Plus, nobody even reads my blog so it won't matter. My ex-boyfriend, Mike, and I broke up quite some time ago and then we planned on getting back together. But, my best friend, Monica, started texting Mike when we planned on getting back together. She was staying with me for 2 weeks while her mom was on vacation, so she would hide her phone from me when she was in the shower or something. So I knew something was up. I questioned her many times asking if there was anything going on with her and Mike and she said no. I found out 3 months later that she had been telling Mike all of these horrible things that weren't true about me just so she could have him. So we weren't and aren't together even though we wanted to be because of Monica. Now they're together and I lost my two favorte people. I'm like Paris because I love Mike, but he and Monica are in love so I just end up being the loser. And nobody wants them together because it is right for Mike and I to be together like the Montague's and Capulet's think it wrong that Romeo and Juliet are together. What Romeo and Juliet has taught me is that love can be irrational and stupid and majorly mess up some friendships. The moral of my story is that boys are dumb.

Romeo and Juliet:I It's Everywhere!

For my modern day connection to Romeo and Juliet I chose to relate it to the song "The One I Love" by David Gray. The ltrics are as follows:
Gonna close my eyes
Girl and watch you go
Running through this life darling
Like a field of snow
As the tracer glides
In its graceful arc
Send a little prayer out to ya
'cross the falling dark

Tell the repo man
And the stars above
You're the one I love

Perfect summers night
Not a wind that breathes
Just the bullets whispering gentle
'mongst the new green leaves
There's things I might have said
Only wish I could
Now I'm leaking life faster
Then I'm leaking blood

Tell the repo man
And the stars above
You're the one I love
You're the one I love
The one I love

Don't see Elysium
Don't see no fiery hell
Just the lights up bright baby
In the bay hotel
Next wave coming in
Like an ocean roar
Won't you take my hand darling
On that old dancefloor

We can twist and shout
Do the turtle dove
And you're the one I love
You're the one I love
The one I love

This song relates to Romeo and Juliet because it has many examples of comparing love to weather just as Shakespeare does. David Gray wrote this song as if Romeo would write it for Juliet. In Act one at Juliet's party there is also a lot about dancing, which is mentioned in this song. There is also an example of the stars above being like their love. Overall, I think this was a pretty good modern comparison to Romeo and Juliet.

Connecting with Romeo and Juliet

         (Mrs. Gilman- My computer wouldn't let me view your blog untill today so I apologize for it being a day late. I should have emailed you... ooops.) 

           So far while reading Romeo and Juliet I can connect to it in a few ways. My parents definetly parent more like Romeo's parents and just want me to be true to myself despite what I want. This plays a huge part in who you are and who you grow to be. Juliet's parents are almost the opposite of mine. My parent's and I are very close, but like Romeo I don't tell them everything. Personally, I am a little of both characters. I am independent and have my own ideas about everything like Juliet, but I can be so emotional and ridiculous like Romeo. Typically I am not the dramatic type, but certain situations really alter me (like Romeo). In the scene where Romeo and his family go to Juliet's party, Tybalt gets very angry and worked up. I personally connect to this because I can get very frustrated when I think something's wrong whne it may be fine to someone else. If I was in Tybalt's position I would have done the same exact thing.

          Reading at home and then in class is so much help to me. I would have missed so many little details if we weren't going over them in class. I wish we could have done that with Great Expectations too. Having the glossary on the left hand side in the book is so helpful too. I would be clueless about Shakespear's language without it. As we go on, it is getting easier. I pick up on a lot of details on my own and I am starting to notice that I am getting even more. I have really enjoyed this book so far and I am excited to read on.

Wrapping Up Great Expectations

          A main message portrayed in Great Expectations is that you don't know what you have untill it's gone. Sadly, most people learn this the hard way. When kids are little all they want is to grow up. But reality is they have no idea how easy they have it. I mean come on, arts and crafts counts as learning and homework. When they actually come to an age where they have to be responsible for things, they probably wished that they didn't wish their childhood away. Or when you love someone so much and all you do is fight, when they leave or die (depending on the circumstances) you realize that you should have appreciated them while they were still alive. This message can also relate to silly little things like right after you finish a candy bar and wish you would have savored it. Sadly this happens to me more often than it should. In Great Expectation this message plays a huge role in Pip's life, but it can also relate to yours.

Photo Connection

Photo Connection to Great Expectations

          This photo relates to the first two stages of Great Expectations because its roots represent Pip as a child and as the tree grows it is forever changing. The blacks and greys represent the dark connotation in the novel. The roots underground also symbolize Pip's ignorance and as he grows closer to the surface, he loses it. As Pip is growing into a gentleman he is realizing he took everything he used to have for granted. The shadows on the tree symbolize the dark moments in Pip's life... such as when he finds out who his benefactor is and when Mrs. Joe dies and he reakizes how he is treating everyone around him that is supposably "below" him. Overall, I think this is a good representation of the first stages of Great Expectations.

Great Expectations and Mean Girls

          I am relating Great Expectations to the movie Mean Girls. In this movie, Kady Heron, has just moved from Africa and is coming into a public high school for the first time. Kady is like Pip in the way that she wants to be apart of the "plastics", which are like the upper class. Pip wants to be a gentleman and Kady wants to be a "plastic".
          Tina Fey and Charles Dickens are both trying to convey a similar life lesson. You don't have to have everything or "status" in order to be happy. Kady leaves her trustworthy friends to become a plastic, and Pip leaves Biddy and Joe to become a gentleman. When they finally have what they always thought they wanted, they realize that it isn't as great as it seems. Although this movie may seem shallow and be considered a silly chick flick, it has a deep inner meaning that relates to Great Expectations.

The Second Stage

          The second stage of Great Expectations was definietly slow to start. The main thing I am going to focus on is Pip's arrival to London. After Pip had been informed that he had come into a fortune he was looking forward to his journey to London. When Pip got there he was very disappointed to learn that it was really crowded, dismal, and dirty. The only good thing to come out of it so far was that he was reaquainted with the "pale young gentleman". Overall, the book and Pip have taken a turn for the rest.
          Pip arriving in London relates to the theme of him becoming a gentleman. Growing up all Pip wanted was to be of a higher class or more respected. Now that Pip has come into a fortune he will hopefully soon realize that just because he's becoming a "gentleman" doesn't make him a better person. Pip betrayed a lot of people to get a title that might not bring him the happiness he hopes for.

Chapter 9 Quote Response

          On this day Pip had his first visit to Miss Havisham's house. He met this odd character, along with Estella. Estella criticized him and made him ashamed of where he came from. I think that this day bound him to what he wanted his future to be like. He had new ideas on life and wanted to be more than just the twon blacksmith. In a way, going to see Miss Havisham was a negative thing for Pip, whether he knew it or not. This was the turning point for Pip growing up. He is no longer innocent and oblivios because he has seen better things than what he has. His sweet manner is becoming more mature and it makes you lose love for Pip. Early in the story Pip wrote Joe loving letters on how excited he was to be apprenticed to him, now Pip wants to be a scholar and wants nothing to do with Joe. Pip took a turn for the worse in this chapter.
          The day I was rejected my friend who was 3 years older than me in 3rd grade definietly changed me. He didn't want to talk to me at school and said we could only play at home. This hurt me and made me want to be "cooler". I changed how I looked at things that day and loss my innocence. I think Pip is going through the same thing.

Confusion in "Great Expectations"

In this weeks reading assignment I did not comprehend most of the dinner conversation on Christmas. It was all very rude and condescending towards Pip, but I did not get all of the "pig" references. How were they making the comparison between the two? How is that suppose to relate to anything? Any explanation on this would be appreciated!

Mr. Pumblechook says, "Think what you've got to be grateful for.  If you'd been born a squeaker..."
"He was, if ever a child was," said Mrs. Joe.
Joe gave me some more gravy. 
"Well, I mean a four-footed squeaker," said Mr. Pumblechook.  "If you had been born such, would you have been here now?  Not you..."
"Unless in that form" said Mr. Wopsle, nodding towards the dish. (Pages 24-27)

Group Essay Collaboration

    (My paragraph) Next, following his aunt, Algernon Moncrieff uses marriage as a fashion statement and a way to move up the social ladder by abusing Aesthetic Principles. Algernon clearly voices his opinion on how important beauty is, so marrying a beautiful woman is a top priority for him. During a conversation with Jack he says,”The only way to treat a woman is to make to love to her if she is pretty and to someone else if she is plain.” In Algernon's social circle beauty gets you power and status. By marrying an ugly woman, Algernon would not be looked upon in the same way. As Algernon falls for Cecily, she tells him that looks are not important. Arguing her statement he says,”They are a snare every sensible man would like to be caught in.” “They” referring to beautiful women. Without Cecily's charming looks, she would be nothing to him. Algernon is not using the principle “beauty for beauty's sake” the way it was intended to be used. He is going to marry Cecily just to show her off like a possession. Before proposing to Cecily, Algernon says,”Cecily ever since I first looked upon your wonderful and incomparable beauty, I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly.” Saying this proves that Algernon only cares about appearances. He doesn't even know her as a person, but marrying a pretty woman will make him look better and more accomplished. Algernon seriously twisted a key Aesthetic principle. Wilde shows how people use the influence of language through the Aesthetic principle “beauty for beauty's sake” to manipulate each other through marriage ad social relationships.

          Above is my paragraph. I have changed a lot in it. I changed my second concrete detail to fit with the key aesthetic principle. I think my cmmentary fits in pretty well with our thesis, but if you think I should revise anything just let me know! We all have different characters, so we definietly shouldn't have any problems with repetition. Do you think I used the aesthetic principle too many times? If so, how should I reword that? Do you think my transitions between concrete details are defined enough, or should I work on those?

Dishonesty in The Importance of Being Earnest

          In The Importance of Being Earnest humor is used a lot through epigrams. All of the characters say you shouldn't do exactly what they're doing. The always end of contradicting themselves and look foolish. In this play marriage is treated like a matter of buisness. Algernon thinks marriage is like a transaction and does not take it seriously untill he meets Cecily. Jack, however, is hopelessly devoted to Gwendolen and strongly disagrees with Algernon. Algernon later changes his mind and totally proved himself wrong. In the Victorian era the upper class looked down on working. Basically if you had a job to provide for your family, that was trashy. Religion was an interesting topic back then... People were just starting to break off of main religions, so everything got a little messy. Lady Bracknell would only allow Jack to be with Gwendolen if he was of a certain religion. To the upper class, suc as Algernon, Lady Bracknell, and Jack, the less you knew the better. Ignorance was bliss. As for Ernest/Jack his name did not do him any favors. He was the exact opposite of earnest, which means to be honest. He got himself into many "scrapes". The upper class only cared about their pleasure. To them nothing was serious.
          Oscar Wilde was trying  to say many things through this play. He used it as a device to get people to revaluate their way of life. He is trying to tell people that they are acting immature, petty, and shallow. Oscar Wilde when through a lot in his life and I think his messages are important. He shows dishnesty through Jack and Algernon's "bunburying" and them making up the name Ernest. He shows how silly it is to not work or have an education through Lady Bracknell. He also shows shallowness through Gwendolen and Cecily for not wanting to marry Algernon and Jack because their names are not Ernest. Oscar Wilde was way ahead of his time and people should have taken this play as a life lesson.

Animal Farm Project Evaluations

Katie: (Picture) Katie's picture was creative in the way that nobody else would do that scene. I thought she could have put a little more effort in, but it was pretty good.

Paul and Will: (Comic strip) This project was really good and really artistic! I wish they would have added more though. Overall, it was really well done.

Reagan: (Poem) Reagan's poem was very well written and I loved how she spelt out "tyranny". I thought she put a lot of time into this and it turned out great.

Emery: (Slideshow) This project was a good idea and Emery did a good job with it. I thought he could have shown foreshadowing or irony better though.

Donna: (Video) This video was very good and very detailed. It showed many aspects of Animal Farm and really portrayed the characters well.

Brooke: (Song) A song was a very hard thing to do and I think it was done well in this case. All of the music fit the plot and I think it sounded really nice.

Kayla: (Class pyramid) Many people probably had this idea, but Kayla did it really well. It looks really technology savy and nicely put together.

Melanie: (Slideshow) This slideshow was well put together and everything fit. The music was a good choice for this story and it worked well with the slideshow.

Rachel: (Game) This was definitely the most creative project. It was such a ood idea and Rachel did a fabulous job. You can tell she put a lot of time into this.

Grace: (Movie trailer) This movie was phenomenal. It looked professionally made and it portrayed the book perfectly. It really was and enjoyment to watch.

My Project:
          My project did not fair so well compared to others. I'm really not good with computers, so I definitely had some problems. I know I could have put more effort into this and I'm sad I didn't. Most of the projects were great, creative, and well planned. Mine could have been a lot better and the sad thing is I had almost 3 weeks to do it. Next time I will plan better and do my best.

Extra Credit: New Year's Resolution

          This is Diego. (Sorry about the bad picture)  He was my christmas present. So far things have been a little rough and he has given me quite a bit of trouble. Some days are really good though. My new year's resolution is to work things out with him. I need to have more patience with him... even though he can be competely stupid. By the end of 2011 I would like to have him doing 2nd level dressage and jumping at least 2'9. We'll see though. I think Diego can teach me a lot and we can go far together.
          My other new year's resolution is to swim more often. I have had shoulder problems and been really lazy for the past 2 months, so I would love to get back in shape and back in the water. I want to start competing more often and get new best times. This is all a lot to hope for in the year 2011, but I know it is all possible. I hope all goes well!

Animal Farm Project

  My picture is of the farm in general. The farmhouse is on a hill because the pigs are in charge of everyone else. This represents tyranny. The windmill is a symbol for all of the struggle the animals go through for nothing. Napoleon lives in a the house while the animals aren't fed enough in the barn. The rainbow over the house represents the pigs way of life. They barely do any work and just sit around and take credit for doing the dirty work. The rain and storm clouds represent the other animals way of life. They do all of the work for the pigs, are under fed, and never get time off.