Connections to Wallflower

As I delve more deeply into my independent reading book, I find that I am more like the character then I thought. He has developed relationships with people older then him, and I find myself almost like the people he is friends with. I have a lot of younger friends that I am really going to miss when I graduate, ones that have changed me and made an impact on my life. I can only imagine what he is going through right now, having all of his friends leave him, he is left to recreate himself again. I guess you could almost say that it's his fault for making older friends, but we cant chose friends, it just happens. On page 173 Charlie the main character is talking about how he is an outcast again, his friends left and now he is forced to be alone. The main character has really grown since the beginning of his school year, and I think he is okay with being alone and eventually he will make freinds again like he did before. The worst feeling for some people is being alone, while to others it is the best. I feel as if Charlie once enjoyed being alone, not having experienced friendship and companionship. I really hope the book turns out well and he makes new friends, because being alone is the worst feeling once you know what it's like to have friends.

Graduation

Seeing as there are already a million valedictorians there wouldn't really be much to say after them. I think that the best thing to say would be good luck and have a great time at college. Graduating high school is a really big deal, even though school sucked really bad all four years, we have been surrounded by the same people for so long, its hard to say goodbye. Through the friendships and the ridiculous amount of work and the stubborn teachers we've put up with for the past century, it is all coming to a close. I think that it's not goodbye, it's just good luck until we meet again.

Characterization

From what I've read so far, the characters in this book are all individually unique but also they have many similarities. The main character charlie has adapted himself to his friends in mostly a physical sense. I think that he has taken his surroundings and morphed them into himself. I think that by trying to put past his mental and emotional stress and being able to gain friends has turned him almost into a different person.

I think that some of the controversial topics mentioned in this book are what really make it a good read, I initially expected it to be about something different. I also do not like to make predictions about what will happen to the characters at the end of the book because following their paths throughout the book has been really difficult because they all went through so many experiences and changes.

Amir's Atonement

I think that Amir has a slight chance of achieving atonement in his life. He witnessed something that scarred him for life, and he is in bitter resentment that he witnessed it at all. I think that apologizing to his friend for not sticking up for him would be a great atonement for himself. Or admitting that he was a bad friend to Hassan and should have treated him better, and somehow made it up to him would prove as atonement. Amir seeks atonement by letting out the secret he holds about Hassan, and also all the wasted time he spent worrying about everyones opinion of him, especially his father.

I do not think that atonement exists, only personal relief that a problem was resolved that happened in the past. I think that when more then one person is involved in this wrong doing or mistake, you cannot makeup for it by masking it with apologizes or some gesture to make the sinful situation disappear. I think that a mistake you make stays buried in the past, but I also believe that not making that mistake in the future is a type of atonement. You can make all the promises in the world to never cheat on your spouse again, you can prove yourself loyal, but atonement is something that can never be reached because a mistake that large is unforgivable and you cannot possibly make up for it when another person is involved. I believe in personal atonement, in a way that you give yourself satisfaction as well as ease your consience for a mistake you made.

My Cheating Mistake

I remember in fourth grade, I had reading problems and it took me a lot longer then everyone else to comprehend tests because I was "special" and learned differently, (not really but I was a really shy kid that didn't like to talk- ever). This one particular test was really important, it actually counted for a grade. I remember that I wasn't sure if my answers were correct, and I hesitated to turn in my test. Walking up and handing in my test, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten to put my name on the line in the right corner of the paper. I took it back out of the silver wired bin and brought it back to my seat to write my name on it really fast. Then my teacher called me out on it, in front of the whole class, and accused me of cheating.
I felt so ashamed of myself and I wanted to cry. If that wasn't bad enough, she then proceeded to take me out of the classroom and yell at me about whether I cheated or not. She was my favorite teacher, so hearing her yelling at me made me feel like I was on some type of bad trip. I confessed to her that I was unsure if my answers were correct, but I would never cheat. She checked over my answers, and seeing as I probably failed I most likely was telling the truth. She then helped me work out the answers and I got the test back a week later with a B. I feel like I learned a few lessons that day; never make a foolish mistake that can lead to accusations,always write your name on every paper you get - ever for the rest of your life, and also not to be afraid to ask for help. I feel like asking for help was one of my greatest weaknesses in life.

Creative Story

This solider was on the run for nearly a week, trying to find his troupe for he had lost his way.
With only his backpack, the solider has been dodging and fleeing attacks in this foreign country for what seemed like forever. The end is near, the food in his bag is running low; he is faced with a decision;to starve or to risk getting killed are his only two options. He once heard a story that where there are insects there is water, so following his gut he decided to head in the direction the insects were buzzing to. Little did he know what was waiting for him at the end of his journey:A tent filled with terrorists. Armed only with his bullet-less rifle, the solider began to panic. There was no turning back, he had entered onto their territory, he had to face the consequences. With every step the soldiers heartbeat quickened it's pace. The only way around the tent was to jump off a cliff, to face death in the quickest manner, if there were not water running in that deep crack in the land. Taking the biggest risk of his life, the soldier found himself skidding down the side of the cliff, alive. He made it to water finally, but all he could do was run as far as he could away from that tent, away from his fears and into the jungle of mystery.

The Triumph of Evil

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.
- Edmund Burke

I think that this quote is really powerful, and I disagree as well as agree with it. I think that evil only exists if a person is weak and is able to be overpowered by it. I agree with this quote because if the good and unevil people of the world did something to stop evil from spreading, there would not be a problem. As long as good exists, evil will as well.

Decisions

Everyday we are surrounded with choices and decisions that affect our immediate lives. Things that influence us the most would be our environments as well as the people we are surrounded by. I think that everyone has had to make a big decision in their life, one that can alter their pathway forever and affect the impact they want to have on the world.

Going into college, deciding which college to attend and what you want to major in are all very stressful choices that have to be made in a short period of time. How does an 18 year old kid know what they want to do for the rest of their life? The decisions we make now affect our long term future, whether we see our family and friends as often, or whether we choose to see them because we're not going to college to far. Whether or not to get into trouble and fail out of school and waste you or your parents money, they are all decisions.


We learn in life that taking risks and making the "correct" decisions will lead to satisfaction, but do the little choices we make along the way seriously alter our journey?
Life is made up with a series of problems, and to determine one's path is how one can figure out the solution. Everyone has a unique answer to the question of who do I want to be and what impact do I want to have on the world. Each life is individual, choosing to have little or no impact is still a decision.

Recipe for Afghanistan

Delicate Recipe

One decade of the USSR
A dash of civil war
1 teaspon of evil terrorist Osoma Bin Laden
3/4 cup Mountains
1/4 cup Plains
5 tablespoons of cloaked and covered women

Stir in 33,609,937 natives and then let sit for 2 years to see what happens

Spring Break 2009

I didn't really do much of anything this spring break except for work. I would like to have gone to some tropical island, or even Florida. Having this break made me excited that there is only one marking period left until summer :) I went to a flea market and bought a few prints of both famous and unfamous paintings. I saw my boyfriend frequently which was good. I had a doctors appointment for a physical and learned that I have anemia which was no surprise. I wish I practiced driving so I could gain KNOWLEDGE about how to operate an automobile. I also did some face painting and took some photos for my web design class.

A Cremation?

This blog post is in response to the 18th blog post

When I first came across this book, I assumed that it would be about the holocaust or some type of tragic event. I was really surprised ( for real) when I started getting into the book, and I found out that it's about poor people living in Ireland. I think that the title was very misleading because it doesn't really give the reader a hint about what the book is going to be like or anything. I thought that a girl was narrating the book until the second chapter. As I further analyze the title of the book, the question of cremation comes up. I think that the entire book is based on faith, but in a way their faith has betrayed them and has not brought them wealth or success or luck in anyway. Relating it to cremation and ashes, the process of cremation was not really something practiced by the Catholic faith, which in a way makes the whole book seem controversial. I did not really understand why the book was titled the way it is, and I believe it should have a different one in order to have a greater impact on the reader.

This article talks about cremation and when it first was allowed in a Catholic Church
http://askthedirector.blogspot.com/2008/05/cathoic-faith-and-cremation.html

A Journey Across The Universe

This blog post is in response to blog prompt number 16. chapter 11

This year, we learned about different people and the paths they chose during their lifetime journey. The overall theme of the year was Who are you and what do you want to become? I think that reading about different people who followed their own dreams and tried to define themselves was really appropriate for this year, the senior and last year in highschool.

"It was as if Jesus himself were looking down on our sorry arses, he knew that we were goin' the wrong way, makin' signs for us to turn back but Mikey said never turn back when you don't have any reason to," page 254


The book Angela's Ashes is also about a journey of a young adult and the obstacles he faced and he grows up by surrounding himself with older kids, he's faced with the brutal truth that life isn't fair. He, like characters in other books we've read this year about journeys across the globe, has been introduced to new concepts and idea's in the world that help shape his own ideology.

I think that all of the books we've read this year had a kind of personal connection, because we are all in real life put in the same situations of trying to fit in, and trying to achieve our goals and develop our own path in life.

Boy Meets World

When researching further into my book, I was looking for video's about the book or ones that related to it. I came across a Boy Meets World episode titled Angela's Ashes!
Enjoy!

Kiss The Painting, Speak The Truth

This blog post is in response to blog prompt number 8.


" She drags me home by the ear and makes me kneel before the Pope. Swear, she says, swear to that Pope that you didn't look at Mona Dooley in her pelt.
I swear.
If you're lying you wont be in a state of grace for COnfirmation tomorrow and thats the worst kid of sacrilege.
I swear," (Page 190, Frank and his mother).

Throughout the novel, the McCourts have been very religious Catholics. But if you delve deeper into their actual faith, it seems as if it is the only hope they have. Most people who are in impoverish states have a trust in some type of force, a force that will back their hope with a promise. I think that this painting is very symbolic to their faith, not only because it is a painting of a Pope, but the way they treat it almost like a shrine for the Lord. This painting is mentioned several times in the book, all during times where honesty and trust are in question, I think it's been used to lie many times, and cover the truth.

A Voice, A Rhythmic Song

This blog post is in response to blog prompt number 11.

"When the bleeding stops and Mam's gums heal she goes to the clinic for her false teeth. She says she;l give up the smoking when her new teeth are in but she never does. The new teeth rub on her gums and make them sore and the smoke of the Woodbines eases them," (pg139, A.Ashes).

Frank has a specific way of telling a story, as I mentioned in previous blog posts. He puts conversations and slurs peoples dialogue together. I think that being a child makes him less attentive, but the way he writes/speaks is very easy to get confused. If you jump in the middle of one of his paragraphs it's hard to understand who is talking and what is going on because of the lack of direction.
I do not think this is a very successful method for Frank, but it also gives the book a style and differentiated from other books from a kid's point of view.

Drinking The Money Away

This blog post is in response to blog prompt #4.



In the beginning of the Chapter, we, the readers, find out that Angela's friend, and in a way parallel character, is admitted into an insane asylum because she worries herself to the point of insanity about her family. Frank's family is in a very similar situation, and befriends Nora's son Mikey. Frank's first communion is coming up, and Mikey explains that some people are not a "proper" catholic because they cannot take communion( page 117, paraphrased). Frank looks up and hangs almost on every word that Mikey says. Both families have the same struggles, and I think that Frank takes interest in Mikey because of their similar situation.

I was really surprised how similar the two women (Angela and Nora) are, both with alcoholic husbands, trying to make ends meet with the money and care of their children. and how Angela remains strong when times get tough even though her situation is almost identical to Nora's. I think that when you see someone else fall, it makes you want to stay strong even more. I think that Nora's family represents what could happen to the McCourts if they give into their impoverish state.

Characterization

This blog post is in response to the 3rd blog prompt.

The characters in this book are not typical; the way that they are described the best is through the conversations they have with each-other and their voices. For example, Frank's mother Angela has a specific style and voice that when the narrator writes her dialogue, right away I know who is speaking.

" It's your blood and 'tis a sad thing when a ma cant even drive a nail straight. It just goes to sow how useless you are. You'd be better off digging fields and anyway I don't care. I have pain in my back and I'm going to bed.
Och, what am i going to do? Dad says," (page 93, Angela's Ashes).

Angela is chastising her husband for his excessive alcohol abuse, and her stress of being a mother of two at this point is building up, especially having to deal with the death of her baby as well as her youngest son. The family is extremely poor, and the way that Angela expresses her emotions is revealed in her speeches to her husband. On the other side, her husband Malachy responds in a way that makes him seem like a drunk, the only characterization he has to describe him because Frank hardly mentions him, but when he does it is always in what his father says.

Purple Royal

This blog post is in response to blog prompt number fifteen.

The image I chose above relates to not only this chapter (4) but also the overall scene of the book. The family is constantly starving, not having enough food to suffice them, which makes them further poor, their stomaches are malnourished. Food is a relative concept that defines your status in society;going furthest back in time, having an abundance of food representing royalty, something that not the average person could afford. I think in a way, Frank resents his parents, as well as his country, for his impoverish state. From reading his words, I can't help but to feel bad for him, and have an interpersonal connection with him being poor. There are some things in life that are unfair, Frank's short end of the stick is with money, kind of like my own. We're constantly struggling to fit into society, but what we forget is that everyone has something holding them back.

Thesis Statement for Theme

The greatest impact that Che Guevara had on the world was his nameless iconic face, not for Ernesto Guevara's revolutionary political work and ideals.

Peruvian Do Now!

Write a short story as a peruvian man or woman, describe your environment as well as your daily routine using the knowledge provided by the book as well as online resources.
Also, include at least one of the following: diction, voice, literary devices or poetic style.
As always, include an image and remember to tag the post as "Brianna's Do Now".

:)

Che's Point of View

Throughout the novel so far, we have learned only a few things about Che. He was a bright young Argentine, but we also found out about the other side of him. I believe that che was trying so hard to be this man that was glorified, he kind of missed out on developing his own soul. He was constantly on the move and gaining new knowledge from the places he visited, i believe that he truly thought himself to be great and powerful even throughout his entire life. I think that Che Guevara was trying to find himself in a way that he created himself to be a man who is a leader, a name that everyone knows. In a way, he succeeded, he almost wanted to be a celebrity. Still, I didn't know his name until we started this topic and read his journal in english class.

Slewed Speech

This blog post is in response to the 10th prompt listed on the paper.



After reading chapter two, I felt as if a part of my heart was sewn into the pages, not only from personal experience but also with all of the exposure to situations from books, media, etc. The way that the narrator, Frank, tells the story about his mother getting in modern times what we call food-stamps, and every way he explains it seems like a trail of subconscious thoughts and views. For example Angela is going food shopping and Frank is witnessing it almost as if he were slewing words and phrases together like a child would because there attention span is too small to follow a conversation they aren't interested in.

" Well, now, Im not a millionaire, but here...
God Bless you, Mrs. McGrath, and I know it's asking a lot but could you possible lend me a couple of cigarettes?
Well, now, they're not on the docket. Im not here to supply luxuries," page 67

This conversation reminds me of a book I read going into 11th grade for english; Blink, written by Malcolm Gladwell, describes how the subconscious mind works and how the brain functions in our daily lives. Frank completely disregards what they're saying and simply slums the conversation together because of his lack of attentiveness.

Independant Reading-Angela's Ashes

This blog post is in response to the first blog prompt listed on the rubric. Chapter one of Angela's Ashes. When I first skimmed through the book, I was assuming that the person writing it, or the point of view was a female. I was shocked and almost appalled that after reading a few pages the book is really from the perspective of a young boy named Frank. Judging by the length of the book, I think that it is going to be boring. I do however enjoy the way in which the narrator describes each member of his family, and how he is ashamed of his own heritage. It is almost as if he shuns his family for being the race and class that they are. The book then begins to introduce the mother, Angela, who I assume is the main topic of this book, and her journey from Ireland to America. I like how the book is very narrative, as well as descriptive, I feel as if I hear Frank's voice when I really get into reading.

Chile

Bordering country struggling blindly for independence.

Che Chey Chilly Chile

When Che and his friend Alberto arrived in Chile, their brains were as small as the money in their pockets. They decided to not come into the country quietly, but to bang pots and pans like children by introducing themselves as experts on a disease they hardly knew about. Che was cocky, he was a practiced con artist. I think at this moment, he truly became the man that is hated around the world. He used the article written about him in a newspaper in order to gain meals and shelter.
Che was then politically driven by these sly compromises he made with people. I think at this point, Che realized how powerful his lying and deceivingness, and how it could really work for him.

6 word DESCRIBE AMERICA

Bad credit, debt, economic fear galore.
play on words!

Personal Ideology

When I think about the things that define me, my ideals and values, I can't think of any. My personalities and view points change so drastically I cannot have a concrete moral or ideal. I think that I am a chameleon, I adapt to my surroundings. I pick and choose what I see in other people, and I adapt their best qualities to my own. I feel as if that is my only true ideal, to follow your wandering mind wherever it takes you. As long as you're not greedy or revengeful, or even jealous, life will be smoother. If you love with all of your heart and try not to take advice as well as negativity to harshly will succeed in everything you do.

Comparing New York Times Article to Che Guevara

I think that the article in question, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/world/asia/23terror.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss , hardly compares to what Che Guevara intended to do while in Bolivia. I agree that both Guevara and the Taliban/Al Qaeda are similar in the fact that the United States is trying to prevent them from their inentions, other then that I hardly see a similarity. I think that Che was more innocent and he himself was trying to lead a revolution that was needed in Bolivia. I think that there is also one other similarity that both Che Guevara and Al Qaeda and the Taliban have a strong hate for the United States and it's interference with revolutionary plans. I feel as if comparing this article to the work of Che Guevara would be like comparing apples to bananas both being fruit but are made of different structures and taste differently.

The Voice of Che Guevara

"It is a glimpse of two lives running parallel at a time, with similar hopes and convergent dreams." This quote describes Che Guevara's individual voice as the narrator of this story. Che is reflecting on his hopes and dreams he shares with at first what seems like his friend Alberto, but really Che was describing himself. I think that in a way Che wants to believe that he went on this journey purely to be adventurous, but looking back he had another side of himself that wanted this journey for other reasons.This quote has some imagery, it makes you imagine how his life is a journey. His syntax flows well, as well as his diction and word choice.

"My tired eyes refused to sleep and in them a pair of green spots swirled, representing the world I had left for dead behind me mocking the so-called liberation I sought." page 40. This quote immediately jumps out at me as having imagery. Also, it has a lot of descriptive words that portray this kind of mystical feeling he is having from lack of sleep. This quote also digs deeper into his subconscious viewpoint of his own journey during that time. He feels as if he is chasing a dream that is condoned.

Whodunnit?

I think that whoever captured Che killed him. I do not think it was an individual person that killed him, but probably a group of people who found him. I think that he was probably put to death quickly opposed to tortured. I think by this point, Che was already dead inside. After his physical appearance and transformation, he was no longer Che Guevara, but a radical that was so consumed with his work that he lost track of his own identity.

Creative

It felt like I had been on the run for a decade. I never pictured my life this way, and looking back on the past few months, I hardly recognize my own shadow. I can't understand anything anyone is speaking about here, but it is my only escape from the life I destroyed. If there was a point in time where you could evaluate your life, and find the one moment in time where your life changed ultimately, I find that i would be . I wouldn't have killed my own brother out of greed, I never would have tried to steal his life because I would have recognized that jealousy clouded my vision of success. He was the portrait of perfection, and by killing him, my life would seem more glamorous. The death was simple, a drop of Cyanide in his morning orange juice. Everyday he would take his perfect body on a jog with his trophy girlfriend, around the city, where every single market owner would shout out his name in rejoice, his death would have satisfied every crook and twisted man, including myself. But I find that now I am alone, now I am left to flee the country, fleeing my old life, finally freeing myself from the pain and guilt of my mistakes. I am doomed to walk the earth by myself. There is nothing lonelier than adventure.

The Ideology of Che Guevara

Throughout the documentary, viewers learn about the life of Che Guevara. He started off as a doctor, and then decided to travel the world. His intentions were good, and he wanted change for the countries he had power in. His whole ideology revolved around revolution and reform. Che had a more moral incentive to the revolution rather then the materialistic point of view. He wanted to be involved in the revolution purely for the good of the people rather then for the position of power he could receive from it While most dictators or influential people in the government were greedy, Che Guevara had a different outlook.

My Documentary on Che Guevara

If I were to create a documentary on a man who I know little to nothing about, I would research him first. I would have the documentary go in chronological order from his birth until his death because otherwise it gets too confusing and I think that the audience viewing the movie would be confused if it went it media res or having flash backs or beginning in the end. If I were the director I would make the most outstanding point, whether he was generally a good or bad person, and highlight on them the most.

Road Trip To Disney World :)

I remember back in 7th grade my family took a road trip to Florida. The purpose of going to Florida was to see Disney World and have a fun time ☺. All five of my family members piled into my Dad’s big white Tahoe, and we traveled what seemed like a million miles in order to reach our destination. Our first stop was in Virginia, where we had some lousy pancakes and orange juice with an obscene amount of pulp in it. Next we made it to South Carolina where we stopped at a rest stop. We did not really see any sights while traveling through these states, but I’ll never forget that I was actually in different states. We finally made it to Florida, St. Augustine, a beautiful beach with orange rocky sand. We stayed in a Hotel for a few days, it was breath taking there. We finally made it to Disney world and it was like seeing every theme park ever made all in one. We stayed in the Contemporary building, and we traveled around in the monorail to get from park to park. My favorite ride was the Rockin’ Roller Coaster. The hotel room was a double suite, the bed comforters had a weird blue green and pink pattern on them. The bathrooms were all in white, the counters were marble. The ride home was sad, I knew I wouldn’t be back in Florida for at least a long time.

Book Preview: The Motorcycle Diaries

When I first look at a book, I look at the cover to see what type of illustration on the front. Next I look at the color schemes to see if they follow a pattern. When a book is bright and eye catching, I am more likely to read it. When a book is black and white I think that it is old, therefore irrelevant to my life. This book has a white and black picture of a man, but also it includes the colors yellow and blue. After viewing Beck’s video about the man Che Guevara, I have nothing to expect but a book about a man who killed a lot of people and became a symbol of revolution. I think this book will be interesting not because of the main character but the title of the book. I want to learn why it is titled “The Motorcycle Diaries.”

Che Guevara- The False Idol

At the beginning of this video, I had no idea who this guy named “Che” was, but after watching the video several more times I gained a better understanding of who this man was and what he did. I think that some of Beck’s facts were wrong, or were embellished simply because of his attitude towards what he was talking about. I agree that Che Guevara killed many people and is responsible for many deaths, and I also was
was shocked that his face was printed on tee shirts of ignorant “westerners”. When Glen was talking about how Che was an executioner a judge and a jury I was shocked because I have no idea who this guy is nor have I seen him on a shirt. Beck talked in a way that he was trying to get his point across before he laid out the actual facts that would help prove his points. I think that the manner in which he spoke would make anyone not want to listen or watch his video because it is almost sarcastic and extremely embellished and over zealous. Beck’s key points were that Che has been idolized by people who do not know who he was. Beck was trying to expose the truth that Che was a communist that was responsible for killing people. He also claims that Che is almost a celebrity communist. Che is a man who killed many people, and should not be glorified for it.

English!

This is my first post on my english blog, it is no longer for polisci :(

:)