Makenzie-Failure
Alex H-Hits and Misses
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Friday, April 21, 2017
1. Ambition is a positive, desirable trait in a person. 2. If you are in a position of power, you are happy.
I agree that ambition is a positive, desirable trait in a person. However, ambition and lust for power seem easily confused. Ambition is a positive drive towards your goals and can be accomplished in positive ways. There is also the kind of ambition that is fueled purely by power and that is not always morally correct. People go out of their way and do the wrong things to get what they want and that is not the kind of ambition that is positive and desirable. If you have to do morally corrupt or wrong things to get what you want then you may not necessarily deserve whatever your goal is.
However, I strongly disagree that if you are in a position of power, you are happy. People often think they want positions of power then find themselves trapped. I think that is one reason why there are set terms for presidency in the United States. Presidents likely find themselves unhappy in their position because they have such heavy burdens put on them as the leader of the nation. This is also the case for famous people. Though they don't have political power, they still have a lot of influence over people and grow tired of the limelight often. It is said in many songs and by a lot of celebrities that they just wish they could not be famous and not have to worry about appearances so much. Overall, power is good and a lot of people want it, but it is also a heavy burden to carry.
However, I strongly disagree that if you are in a position of power, you are happy. People often think they want positions of power then find themselves trapped. I think that is one reason why there are set terms for presidency in the United States. Presidents likely find themselves unhappy in their position because they have such heavy burdens put on them as the leader of the nation. This is also the case for famous people. Though they don't have political power, they still have a lot of influence over people and grow tired of the limelight often. It is said in many songs and by a lot of celebrities that they just wish they could not be famous and not have to worry about appearances so much. Overall, power is good and a lot of people want it, but it is also a heavy burden to carry.
Hits and Misses
Though I don't really enjoy writing essays, I did think that all of mine this year turned out well. My research paper came out especially well and I was actually proud of it. I felt like working on it for so long and so thoroughly was boring but ended up good for the paper because I knew my information so well. I also thought that the personal narrative was a strong suit of mine but I don't know how that could have been super difficult seeing as it's your own story. I also enjoy some blog posts, like reading responses because I feel like I can really choose the direction of those while also having a clear direction for the post.
What I felt wasn't my strong suit, however, was the literary analysis. I had a hard time coming up with my thesis and what I wanted to get out of the paper, and it was kind of a struggle for me all the way through. Once I started writing with my topic it wasn't too bad, but I constantly worried if I had too much plot information. I also felt like the statements that we had to write during the poetry unit were iffy. I felt like it was all opinion based and I don't generally like that. I like facts so those statements were difficult for me to write and assume that I had interpreted the poems correctly.
What I felt wasn't my strong suit, however, was the literary analysis. I had a hard time coming up with my thesis and what I wanted to get out of the paper, and it was kind of a struggle for me all the way through. Once I started writing with my topic it wasn't too bad, but I constantly worried if I had too much plot information. I also felt like the statements that we had to write during the poetry unit were iffy. I felt like it was all opinion based and I don't generally like that. I like facts so those statements were difficult for me to write and assume that I had interpreted the poems correctly.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Writing Prompt- How Do You Feel About Zoos?
This seems like one of the most random prompts to choose but I'm going to go for it. Zoos have always been one of my favorite places, especially when I was little. I love animals and seeing all of those weird and cool animals in one place is a wild ride. I'm probably even annoying to go to zoos with because I either want to stay at certain animals the whole time or I'm running to the next one because I get pretty excited. Unfortunately, though, I can't pet all the animals in zoos. Except for zoos that have petting zoos. Those are the best.
Despite my enthusiasm about zoos, I know that they aren't the best place for animals. Some zoos do help with endangered species and such but it can't be a good enough life for them to live in those small enclosures. Zoos also take animals from the wild sometimes which is horrible for them to go from such freedom to incarceration in a zoo. They also still teach animals to do tricks and such which we know is not humane because almost all of these operations use physical punishment to make them do these tricks. Finally, though I enjoy zoos, I know that the animals aren't living their best lives and it would be better for them if we didn't lock them up for our enjoyment.
Despite my enthusiasm about zoos, I know that they aren't the best place for animals. Some zoos do help with endangered species and such but it can't be a good enough life for them to live in those small enclosures. Zoos also take animals from the wild sometimes which is horrible for them to go from such freedom to incarceration in a zoo. They also still teach animals to do tricks and such which we know is not humane because almost all of these operations use physical punishment to make them do these tricks. Finally, though I enjoy zoos, I know that the animals aren't living their best lives and it would be better for them if we didn't lock them up for our enjoyment.
Purple Hibiscus
In the grand scheme of things, I'm enjoying Purple Hibiscus. However, it is kind of dense but not a bad kind of dense. This book gives a lot to think about and I think that's why it takes me a while to read it. I'm really trying to focus on annotating the most important things so that I remember them. I annotate with my interpretations of most of the important lines in this book. This book says a lot of important and powerful things though, so my annotations are also kind of dense, but I don't mind it because at least I feel like I'm getting something out of reading this.
I don't always enjoy school reading books, but this one is up there with the good ones. I think that I'm invested in this book so it's making it easier for me to read. If the characters in a novel are likable, or even extremely dislikeable like Papa, it makes it easier to get through. I want the best for Kambili and Jaja so I've mainly been making my annotations analyze their actions in contrast to Papa and basically rephrasing the main parts. Writing things out helps me to remember them so annotating and summarizing important parts has helped me a lot with understanding this novel.
I don't always enjoy school reading books, but this one is up there with the good ones. I think that I'm invested in this book so it's making it easier for me to read. If the characters in a novel are likable, or even extremely dislikeable like Papa, it makes it easier to get through. I want the best for Kambili and Jaja so I've mainly been making my annotations analyze their actions in contrast to Papa and basically rephrasing the main parts. Writing things out helps me to remember them so annotating and summarizing important parts has helped me a lot with understanding this novel.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Political Post- Joe Biden
Joe Biden Has One Big Regret: Not Being President
The article Joe Biden Has One Big Regret: Not Being President, is about just what it sounds like. Joe Biden, the former Vice President, wishes he could have had a chance to be the President of the United States. However, he knows that it was not best for him to run in 2016. He lost his son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015 and so he knew that he wouldn't have been able to put his whole heart and mind into his presidency. He does believe that third time would have been the charm. He thinks he could have gotten the Democratic nomination, and won, but he made the decision to keep himself out of that race because he believes the president should be fully committed to the country.
I think that Joe Biden made a good choice in not running in the 2016 election. Though he's run twice before, I think that this time may have actually been his time. This generation of new voters seems like they would be more inclined to vote for Biden after having seen him in Obama's shadow for the past eight years. However, a president that could not be fully committed to the job, or not totally happy in their position, would be no better than any other, lesser candidate. I chose this article because I was looking at the news app on my phone and I went to the Times website and this seemed interesting. I respect Obama and Biden so this was appealing. I also think the election would have been even more interesting if Biden had been added to the race so I wanted to know why he wouldn't have run.
The article Joe Biden Has One Big Regret: Not Being President, is about just what it sounds like. Joe Biden, the former Vice President, wishes he could have had a chance to be the President of the United States. However, he knows that it was not best for him to run in 2016. He lost his son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015 and so he knew that he wouldn't have been able to put his whole heart and mind into his presidency. He does believe that third time would have been the charm. He thinks he could have gotten the Democratic nomination, and won, but he made the decision to keep himself out of that race because he believes the president should be fully committed to the country.
I think that Joe Biden made a good choice in not running in the 2016 election. Though he's run twice before, I think that this time may have actually been his time. This generation of new voters seems like they would be more inclined to vote for Biden after having seen him in Obama's shadow for the past eight years. However, a president that could not be fully committed to the job, or not totally happy in their position, would be no better than any other, lesser candidate. I chose this article because I was looking at the news app on my phone and I went to the Times website and this seemed interesting. I respect Obama and Biden so this was appealing. I also think the election would have been even more interesting if Biden had been added to the race so I wanted to know why he wouldn't have run.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Monday, March 20, 2017
Learning Reflection
This year I learned that I study best when I take time to write things out. For example, in preparation for the past few biology tests and quizzes, I have used colored pens to make color coded notes of the information that I struggle with most. This has helped me put into perspective what information I need to focus on most and hand-writing it has helped me remember more easily. Having certain information in certain colors helps me to recall that part of my notes while taking a test. I don't have a photographic memory, but I can remember notes or pages fairly accurately especially if there are distinguishing details like a bright color.
Besides better study habits, I've also come to trust my writing abilities more. I started off the year with a bad taste in my mouth about writing. I believed myself incapable of solid educational writing, but now I am more comfortable with papers and such. I also have realized that I am a geometry person, at least in comparison to Algebra I last year. I struggled a bit with algebra, but geometry has been a much easier subject. I hope that my study skills and knowledge have just improved and that Algebra II next year will be okay as well, but I'm not counting on it (no pun intended).
Besides better study habits, I've also come to trust my writing abilities more. I started off the year with a bad taste in my mouth about writing. I believed myself incapable of solid educational writing, but now I am more comfortable with papers and such. I also have realized that I am a geometry person, at least in comparison to Algebra I last year. I struggled a bit with algebra, but geometry has been a much easier subject. I hope that my study skills and knowledge have just improved and that Algebra II next year will be okay as well, but I'm not counting on it (no pun intended).
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Free Post-Beauty and the Beast
On Saturday of this weekend, I saw the new movie Beauty and the Beast. Originally I was going to see it with Sara, Mary Francis, and Christine. Unfortunately, though, one of Christine's family members is ill so she couldn't make it. Sara, Mary Francis, and I still went though and the movie exceeded all of my expectations. Emma Watson is beautiful and a wonderful actress and though I've always seen her as Hermione, she crushed the role of Belle.
The music in the movie was so good and I loved that there was a sort of modern spin on the original songs. Even in just the first song, they focused on what book she was reading and that came up later when the Beast made a joke about her loving Romeo and Juliet. Even though the Beast was animated, or heavily costumed (I'm not sure which?), I still felt like they had really good chemistry. I love that Emma Watson is such a strong female actress and that she took the role of Belle and made it new and classic all at the same time. She was a force to be reckoned with and I highly recommend the movie to anyone, of all ages.
The music in the movie was so good and I loved that there was a sort of modern spin on the original songs. Even in just the first song, they focused on what book she was reading and that came up later when the Beast made a joke about her loving Romeo and Juliet. Even though the Beast was animated, or heavily costumed (I'm not sure which?), I still felt like they had really good chemistry. I love that Emma Watson is such a strong female actress and that she took the role of Belle and made it new and classic all at the same time. She was a force to be reckoned with and I highly recommend the movie to anyone, of all ages.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
Analyze a Song- Behind the Sea
Though I'm still not totally sure on all the poetic vocabulary, I know that the song Behind the Sea by Panic! At The Disco uses alliteration. I feel like the alliteration adds to a sort of euphony effect. In the first verse, the song says "Like bobbing bait for bathing cod" the repeating B's are an example of alliteration. Another technique used in Behind the Sea is euphony. There is a sense of euphony and calm in the first verse where it says, "A daydream spills from my corked head/ breaks free of my wooden neck/ Left a nod over sleeping waves". There are a few E and A sounds that repeat and are pleasing to me. I find this song very calming between the sounds of the words and the music itself.
There is also a line in this song that I think uses sibilance. In this line, it says "Toast the fine folks casting silver crumbs". It repeats the 's' sound throughout the line and almost gives a whispery kind of feel to the series of words. If anything it adds to the calming effect a good bit. Though I don't profess to know the meaning of this song since it seems to be a bit of a hodge-podge of ideas, the sound patterns are pretty. It almost sounds longing but with a happier beat behind it. Overall, this song uses calming poetry techniques and distinct word choice to create an odd, but beautiful song.
There is also a line in this song that I think uses sibilance. In this line, it says "Toast the fine folks casting silver crumbs". It repeats the 's' sound throughout the line and almost gives a whispery kind of feel to the series of words. If anything it adds to the calming effect a good bit. Though I don't profess to know the meaning of this song since it seems to be a bit of a hodge-podge of ideas, the sound patterns are pretty. It almost sounds longing but with a happier beat behind it. Overall, this song uses calming poetry techniques and distinct word choice to create an odd, but beautiful song.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
For the past few weeks, I've been reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It's been a long time since I've read Harry Potter and I found myself missing the series. I saw that it was on tv one night and I decided to pick up where I left off. In third grade, I started reading Harry Potter and then I got to the fourth book and decided to stop. I'm not sure when I read the fifth book, I just remember that I did. Now I've found myself on the sixth book, finally
I started reading it and found it very slow. The whole scene where Bellatrix and Narcissa visit Snape at his home was grueling. It also probably seemed that way because I kept taking breaks over a week or two. Now, Harry is arriving at Hogwarts, finally, at page 160. I've also been reading other things so this process is slow. However, I feel like a part of me is reading slowly because I don't think I want to get to Dumbledore's death, let alone the seventh book. Who knows, though, it may be another few years before I finally let the series end for me.
I started reading it and found it very slow. The whole scene where Bellatrix and Narcissa visit Snape at his home was grueling. It also probably seemed that way because I kept taking breaks over a week or two. Now, Harry is arriving at Hogwarts, finally, at page 160. I've also been reading other things so this process is slow. However, I feel like a part of me is reading slowly because I don't think I want to get to Dumbledore's death, let alone the seventh book. Who knows, though, it may be another few years before I finally let the series end for me.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Poem
Everyone swoons
When they look at the moon
Sky full of stars
Roads full of cars
People are always moving.
Just like what they're viewing
The sky never stops.
People on rooftops
Appreciate the night
All the natural lights
End rhyme, euphony, end-stopped line
When they look at the moon
Sky full of stars
Roads full of cars
People are always moving.
Just like what they're viewing
The sky never stops.
People on rooftops
Appreciate the night
All the natural lights
End rhyme, euphony, end-stopped line
Vocabulary
Before writing this post, I tried to look through my vocabulary words and think of something to write about based on them. That didn't work, seeing as I'm now writing about vocabulary itself. It seems as if a lot of the words I've learned this year are too grandiose for general writing or speech. Though I do like having a wide vocabulary it is easier, in general, to keep my knowledge tacit.
That sounds arrogant, but at this point, people often don't worry about their vocabulary. People my age deem a wide vocabulary unnecessary. They think that their general diction is sufficient. I tend to go with that as well because explaining your word choice to your friends is no fun. However, I do pay attention to vocabulary.com and like to have a better lexicon for my use when I want.
That sounds arrogant, but at this point, people often don't worry about their vocabulary. People my age deem a wide vocabulary unnecessary. They think that their general diction is sufficient. I tend to go with that as well because explaining your word choice to your friends is no fun. However, I do pay attention to vocabulary.com and like to have a better lexicon for my use when I want.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
ATDPTI Response 2
This part of the book didn't really pick up for me until around page one hundred. I like that Junior has gained Gordy's respect. Even if they aren't the closest of friends, they both needed someone so I'm glad they are friends now. I also like that the people at Reardan are kind of respecting Junior, Roger acknowledges him and now Gordy does too and I'm proud of Junior. He made a big decision to go to Reardan and so far it's paying off.
I think that the decision to go to school off of the reservation was incredibly brave and something I probably wouldn't do in his place. I would be very worried to leave Episcopal, especially if I was in Junior's situation, a minority going into a new, prejudiced school. And based on how Junior was doing at his previous school, he's not doing terribly at his new school and at least he believes in his decision. Finally, I think that Junior will benefit greatly from his new school and I want to believe that he will eventually make more friends.
I think that the decision to go to school off of the reservation was incredibly brave and something I probably wouldn't do in his place. I would be very worried to leave Episcopal, especially if I was in Junior's situation, a minority going into a new, prejudiced school. And based on how Junior was doing at his previous school, he's not doing terribly at his new school and at least he believes in his decision. Finally, I think that Junior will benefit greatly from his new school and I want to believe that he will eventually make more friends.
Research
During the research process, I've realized the importance of a thorough outline. Having notecards and lots of information gathered in one place makes writing your outline and ultimately your paper much easier. Besides having your notecards and outline well done, having all of your sources together and ready is really helpful. I don't know if I would have been so organized without being prompted by teachers and I know that I would not have made so many notecards, but they're worth it.
I don't really like using primary sources even though those are authentic and should be very helpful. Most of the time they're uninteresting and are written in old language. They aren't exactly hard to read but they aren't enjoyable to decipher either. I find them vague a lot of the time but I suppose it's because I'm an outsider on whatever topic they're discussing. Overall, primary sources have been the only specific thing that I've struggled with besides completing everything in good time.
I don't really like using primary sources even though those are authentic and should be very helpful. Most of the time they're uninteresting and are written in old language. They aren't exactly hard to read but they aren't enjoyable to decipher either. I find them vague a lot of the time but I suppose it's because I'm an outsider on whatever topic they're discussing. Overall, primary sources have been the only specific thing that I've struggled with besides completing everything in good time.
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