Christina Rae's Blog

I think that this was one of my favorite parts of English. Although it proved to be a hassle at times, I always loved being able to express myself when I had the time. It made it so much easier for my life to be able to do this during my time. If we would have instead done this as more free writing in class, I feel that it would have been less effective. We would have had less class time to discuss and the 'free writing' would be forced upon us. With the blogging, we had the choice to do it at the time which pleased us individually. I also really liked being able to read my other classmates blogs. I could read them for fun or as an example. This really helped during times when I was not sure how to begin. I think that the blogging helped me a lot.  I am glad that we had the blogging!

Two Revision Strategies

Well, my group did not do the 1st strategy correctly, so it was not as useful as it was supposed to be. But, it was helpful still some. The second strategy was more useful. It helped to just take some time to read through my  paper and point out the things I needed to fix. It also helped to have ideas of what to look for. The list of requirements helped a lot! It gave me a better idea of how I should be writing my paper and what the reader should be getting out of it.

Thanksgiving Break Blog

On the note of the wonderful complab that we had to do, I think that dangling modifiers can be SO funny. I might be considered mildly lame for laughing at simple little phrases such as "Jumping in the air, the hair was a mess.", but I'm fine with that b/c I am like to laugh anyway! Well, for Senior English, my teacher gave the class examples of dangling modifiers and had to draw pictures to demonstrate what they are literally saying! It was fun. I think that dangling modifiers are interesting to learn about b/c some things are actually hard to catch. Plus, they are funny to interpret in a literal sense. Also, misplaced modifiers are super similar. I am actually not sure if my teacher handed out misplaced modifier sentences are dangling modifier sentences...oh well.  Well, I guess I will just leave with some examples.

DANGLING
Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the stick.
Smashed flat by a passing truck, Big Dog sniffed at what was left of a half-eaten hamburger. 
At five years old, my father got a new job.
Flying over the African landscape, the elephant herd looked magnificent.
Covered with hot melted cheese, we ate the pizza.
MISPLACED
They bought a puppy for my sister they call Fido.
We saved the scraps of meat for the dog that had been left on our plates.

I think this are correct, if not feel free to correct me Professor. :)

Literary Analysis Outline

I could not believe how helpful the outline was! It made this paper so much easier. It really helped the organization of the paper and develop a stronger backbone. I did not really know where to start but the outline gave good advice on what to include and where to start. I haven't really had many other outlines, but out of the ones that I have had, I believe that this one is the best. And that could be because this paper seemed increasingly difficult to do. So the outline was more useful...I am not sure. But I do really appreciate that we were given an outline. :)

Thesis Statement.

Okay. I am not sure which statement I should use so I would appreciate any comments8).
○In Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron," Sylvia and her cow, two relatively different characters, are given similar characteristics shown by several different symbols during the 1900s.
○In "The White Heron," Sarah Orne Jewett uses symbolism during the 1900s to demonstrate how Sylvia resembles her cow.
○Through its symbolism, Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron" suggests that women during the 1900s had limited choices by the symbolism of Sylvia and Mistress Moolly.
○Through the symbolism and Sylvia and Mistress Moollly, Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron" suggests that women during the 1900s had limited choices.
○Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron" demonstrates how a girl resembled her cow during the 1900s through symbolism.
○Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron" demonstrates, through symbolism, how a girl resembled her cow during the 1900s.
○Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron" represents women during the 1900s through the symbolism of Sylvia and Mistress Moolly.
I know there are several, but I could not decide and I think it is easier to just lay them all out for advice. So, please advise me:)

Reading Critically

Whoa whoa whoa! I have never seen a story been interpretted so different from the plot. I was in a complete shock after class on Thursday. It was as if my eyes were shoved open and I began to understand some of the connections that were pointed out. However, pointing the connections out myself is extremely difficult. The ability to understand a point was much easier in class after the section was pointed out. Reading at home and trying to interpret all of the symbols is challenging, but I tried my best to do so. I may be looking too hard into the words, but I need to start somewhere. Actually, I did try to hard at first. Reading critically has been the most difficult thing I have done in English. So I can't wait until next semester. Hurray for Literature!

~Symbolism~

The White Heron

The Cow - The cow possibly symbolizes Sylvy. How Sylvy is hiding from what she should do. Instead of "going home" first, she hides. She hides behind the bribe of ten dollars, and believes that it is okay to tell the lad of the Heron's location. But just as the cow, she realizes that  she must "go home" and she cannot tell the lad about the heron. The home to the cow is the heron to the girl. Maybe, in a way. 

The Dark - Sylvy meets the boy for the first time when it is becoming dark. This maybe symbolizes that the boy is dark. He is not peaceful and lighted. 

The Whistle - The lad whistles at Sylvy when he first sees her. Sylvy first recalls that it is not the whistle of a bird. Ironic that she thinks of that and he is hunting birds. He whistles like a bird. I don't know....

The Frog - Heron's actually feed on frogs. Because the lad is asking her about the heron during the time she is watching the frog, I feel that this symbolizes the lad feeding on Sylvy for information. Also, how the frog cannot get into its hole under the door, as if to hide. The same as Sylvy felt, she wanted to hide from this boy.

The Color White - This symbolizes holiness usually. And possibly in this as well. The heron as a sense of holiness that belongs with nature. That is the reason she cannot tell his secret....

The Yellow Wallpaper

The Husband - He symbolizes the typical, old time husband. Controlling and direct. He symbolizes a loving, sweet trap. 

The Yellow Color - The happiness that the wife cannot get. She is trapped and cannot seem to be happy with herself or anything. 

The Bars - The are like the real bars the wife cannot get out of. They are a symbol of the wife being locked into a room with nothing to satisfy her. All the goodness is out and around her, she cannot get to it. 

The Child - Symbolizes the wife's genuine, innocent character. ??

The Women Behind the Bars - She is the wife, seeing herself. Not understanding it. She sees herself creeping around, hiding things from John. The writing! Sees herself being locked up in this room, writing secretly.

I really am not sure about this symbolism thing. And I am not sure if I like it. It just seems like I am making things up. :(

Women in the early 1900s

Well, I did forget that we were supposed to blog about this. But I did remember! I believe that women were not treated fairly as humans during this time. They were still primarily viewed as house workers, however, new technology created an ease for the women's work (Murphy). Because of this new technology new jobs were available and women began to spread into society (Murphy). Although women were finding new jobs outside of a home, women were still limited to the hours she could work and the wages she could earn (Murphy). The jobs that women contributed to were mostly factory jobs (Murphy). Sewing was a major employer for women (Murphy). Women wanted different living conditions and began to fight for their wants (Murphy). "In April 1911 some 2,000 people paraded in Salt Lake in support of the laundry workers' drive to unionize. Many women laundry workers went out on strike" (Murphy).




Murphy, Miriam B. "A Look at Working Women in the Early 20th Century." History Blazer, November 1995. Historytogo.utah.gov. Web. 01 Nov. 2010.

"The Yellow Wall-Paper"

Wow. This is the strangest story I have yet read in this English Class. I know it must have some great story behind it, however, I have not figured it out. I cannot wait to discuss it in class because really, it is so strange. This wall-paper that has some possession must have the ultimate meaning behind it. And I simply cannot figure it. :( That is why I am so excited to discuss it in class!

A White Heron

First of all, I really enjoyed reading this story. I feel that as a child, it takes so much maturity and sense to be able to understand the value on life. Not only the value of life as a human, but the value of life that all living things contain. Sylvy had a strong resemblance of an intelligent adult, but still possessed some characteristics of a child. She understood that she and her grandma were poor. She understood the value of ten dollars. And best of all, she understood the greatness of life that the Heron held. It was a process in the making, understanding the life within the Heron, but after her aquiantance with him, she felt a strong connection that money could not break. This is an utterly mature characteristic that can take years for a human to understand. Sylvy though, was not an ordinary child. She had a way with nature and life that many can only dream of. I love this story because it shows the ambition Sylvy has to win over the lad's heart and the ambition she has to enrich her and her grandmother's life. But what really wins me over is how Sylvy is smart enough to contain her ambition to save "the Heron's secret!" 

P.S. I feel that the title has a bit of a misplacement. It is titled "A White Heron", but to me it seems as if it should be "The White Heron". B/c it was this special Heron that Sylvy encounters that helps to teach her an important understanding of the value of life. :)

The Collected Writings of Ambrose Bierce

I was completely engaged in the idea that Peyton Farquhar was running free from death. The idea that he was in such an amazement reeled me in that it was happening. As if he was in such agony and stress his mind would not work with his body. Instead, instinct took over. As I read, I did notice somethings that made it seem unreal. The man with the gray eyes. They were supposed to be the keenest yet he managed to miss. This made me think was it meant for him to miss Farquhar? What does that exactly mean? How Farquhar snatched out a bullet lodged between his collar and neck. Is this only adrenaline? And one final thing was the sand. How Farquhar saw it as diamonds, rubies, emeralds; anything beautiful. Is he really this grateful for life? Did he not understand his chances of being caught? Is he now just realizing how much he appreciates life? I do not know for sure. But I do know that the ending was not expected. I had believed in his luck the entire time and actually had to read the ending again to be sure that this most unfortunate thing had actually happened. I am not sure what to think about this story and am excited to hear what everyone has to say.

The Most Dangerous Game

This story, I have already read. Because I have read it already, it was strange to read it again, noticing all the signs General Zaroff conveyed in the beginning. And other signs that the auther may have implied to have a greater meaning. One sign, I am not sure has meaning or not, is the "particularly well-cooked filet mignon." If this has a meaning, it is to make the reader consider the mignon. Why is it particularly well-cooked? I am not sure if it has meaning, but if it does...gross!! Also, all of the small, mysterious smiles, and all the phrases General Zaroff speaks during his and Rainsford's conversations. Gen. Zaroff spoke of being in the army once. He mentioned how his interest was always in the hunt, even when deployed! I feel that he possible felt a connection while being in the army that he subconsiously was aware of. He enjoyed killing humans at that time already and had little to no realization of it. I believe that because he continued to hunt regular animals, until that began to "bore" him! It bored him because animals simply had instinct which proved no match for Gen. Zaroff's wits. So what was he to do? The reader should think. Considering that hunting was his life. I honestly could barely believe that he could think of that. How is it that someone could come up with such a bizarre solution. So bizarre, he has to hide it. So bizarre, the sailors, that have only heard fractions of his evil, fear his evil with great tremors. I feel that his comparison of Rainsford's point of view as naive even though he was an educated American to "a snuffbox in a limosine" was not such a well comparison. Though it may have expressed Gen. Zaroff's viewpoints, I feel that Rainsford simply thinks as a great man. This comparison only greatened the evilness of Zaroff.
Zaroff began to mention that he and Rainsford would hunt together, but what he says could not be what he really means. How could he hunt with someone else, when he feels he is the best hunter? How could he allow someone else to take the thrill of his invented game? He couldn't. And that is why his words were a twisted, sick, fake offer.
This story refers a lot to all of the riches Zaroff has. I am not sure why this is important. But it seems like it is. How he treats his guests with such gratitude, only to play with them.
As the game began, Zaroff was already on Rainsford's track. This first day was much too easy for him. And so he left Rainsford out in the dark with intentions of return. He couldn't simply take this game as a win so easily. Rainsford made several surprising trapts and partially out-witted Zaroff a couple of times. However, he never completely showed his wittiness until the end. After jumping from the cliff, he must have known that Zaroff would have declared himself the winner. Because of this, Zaroff left himself defenseless only to lose to "the most dangerous game"!

Oh yeah oh yeah

I am so excited that we do not have homework. I also cannot wait for THURSDAY! Yay costumes. I am not sure though what I am going to be (if I remember). I'm debating if I should be an old costume or dress up as what I am going to be this year. Then I will have practice getting ready 4 Halloween....not sure. Any suggestions?

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

First of all, I was extremely tired when reading this piece. But, after I managed to pull myself through the first long three pages of boring description I arrived at the interesting point. The first view paragraphs of this piece were more than just extremely boring to me, they made me want to cry. I thought the entire story would be like this and I did not believe I would be able to handle it. Luckily, it was not. The beginning did set up a good start to lead into the finish, but I feel that part of it was little too overly, umm...boring. I do feel that, knowing what happens, if I read this again I would pay more attention to the things she says and the words she uses to describe Omelas. The ending was a changing point for me. Not only did it catch my attention, but it also really upset me. I was very into this story, so I could not get past the idea that this was 'real' and 'happening'! As I proceeded through the story to the end, this made me think about how often people take things for granted and how often people allow things to go unnoticed. But I feel that most of all, this story made me think about the greediness people have and how entirely sad it is. This in turn has me thinking about greed. In my government class, my senior year, we had a small discussion during class about how, no matter how pure of heart someone is trying to be, in the end, every action, every deed, every helpful word is done to benefit one's self. Because no matter what in the back of one's mind, is the happiness he/she will receive from doing the action, deed, or helpful word.

The Writing Process of This Paper

So far, I have been fairly successful in preparing myself for this paper. With the overview of MLA citations and research note cards, I feel that I am ready to do this paper. Well, I feel more ready. Considering it is due Tuesday and today is Thursday, there is very little time to complete the rough draft. I feel there is especially little time because I have a softball tournament on Sunday, but oh well. I will have to find the will to make myself get started and finished with my rough draft sooner rather than later! Hopefully all goes well and few tears are shed! I have a lot to do this weekend so I will need to put more stress into getting my homework done and less into worrying about it.

Professor L. Simmons Class

This English class is by far the most interesting class I have. I never know what to expect. The things we have to do in this class are also very different from what I have thought about English classes. Blogging is one very cool aspect to class. I feel that it brings the opportunity to keep the students writing in their own voices. Because of the different things we do and talk about, this class evolves around life. There is so much to learn about life and one's self and this class has done different things to help develop an ability to understand those two things..

English 101 - This is a very intimidating class, but I feel it is the most worthy. Not only will one obtain a knowledge of English, but also a strong devotion to the knowledge of one's self.  Self confidence and consistency, as well as flexibility are put to a challenge in English. I feel that it is not only English that makes these former statements true, but rather the students and the professor work together to achieve that. I am very glad of the roads this particular English class is leading me down and I cannot wait to see what else is in store. Also, although I am not completely satisfied with everyone or everything involved with this class, I would not change it. This is because the good things and the bad things are what make up the whole puzzle to be as great and challenging as it is.

Research Paper

I have decided to research on the topic of 2012 Theories. I feel that this topic is a major aspect of society today and many people dwell on the theories heard. Some different questions I can ask are: What are the different theories about 2012? Where do the theories come from? How long ago were these theories made? What do the theories really mean? Is there proof that any of the theories will happen? Hard facts? Where does this proof come from, if there is any? Who are the people involved with the theory? What is his or her history? Is there evidence to disprove any of the theories? Where does this evidence come from? Is it credible? With all of these questions, I am sure I can choose a few to create a great research paper. In this paper I am not going to prove anything, but rather lay down some facts that will help to prove or disprove the entire idea of the world ending in December of 2012. The arguments I can make in this paper are: The world will end in 2012 or The world will not end in 2012. Or even more detailed proposals pertaining a specific theory. I still have a lot of work to do!

Aliens

Before I read the article I definitely did believe that life on another planet is more than likely. Because we are one planet in one universe out of many, chances are that there is another planet with life. The universe is also known to be expanding, getting larger and larger. Although, there is no idea how it is getting larger or where it is going to get larger (if I recall that correctly). Because the universe is so large with so many different solar systems which have several different planets, I do believe there is life residing elsewhere. Finding it is another story. As the article stated earlier, the technology we have is so helpful, but still limits our ability to know everything. Until we can get new technology or find another planet, we will be on the search.

Group Projects

Personally, group projects are annoying and frustrating. While they help to create a more sociable environment, group projects tend to lean on one person. With all the weight on one person, this group project is no longer a group effort. This tends to happen a lot, when the group is depending on one person. So they decide that they cannot do anything without that one person. Luckily I have not had an experience too terrible yet this year, I await its appearance with nothing more than attitude and caffeine if necessary. Group projects are definitely not MY CUP OF TEA, but as I get through the project, it always ends up okay!

What I already knew - in action

Tuesday in class, I had a sort of epiphany. Not completely, because I have always known this, but class did make me realize how much this actually happens. There are several people that complain and do not appreciate what they have in life. Instead of taking the bull by the horns, they cry. Also, people can really get into the habit of exaggerating a story. Whether it is important or not, some people can stretch a story fairly far and make it seem either extremely good or extremely bad. And because there are people that do this, others are misguided! Others choose to listen or believe what is being said instead of finding out for themselves. Which is ironic because I wrote my proposal in a branch of this type of activity. It is funny how I learn something new and it appears to happen more often around me soon after I learn more about it. I also realized how immature some people can be. Although everyone is immature some of the time, it can become really annoying. Especially when the topic will not be set aside, but keeps getting brought up over and over again. The point has already been made and was done so with immaturity, so why not just let it go already?

Thesis and •Points•

Why are humans so quick to judge others depending on gender and how can anyone stop? …… It takes hard work to change what society repeatedly tells you to do.

I)                    The problem

II)                  Society

III)                How to fix the problem

100 People

Mainly, I realized that I do not know very much about politics. This excerpt was good, but I kept finding myself lost in the context. There are several things that I have not learned and do not know or maybe am not aware of. This is a flaw that I would really like to change. To start, I have been watching the news much more often and reading the newspaper. Even doing this though, does not help me to understand the past which I do not know. I have never had a good history teacher. When I was a senor I did have a fairly good government teacher and he actually helped me to LIKE learning about history/government. Being older may have also had an influence. It seems as if when you are younger, history is the last thing you want to learn. As I got older it became more interesting and I wanted to know more about it. Especially since it seemed I knew nothing. This excerpt definitely helped me realize that I still am not up to date on the latest news or yesterdays history. I feel that this greatly  reduces a persons perspective and creates an ignorant aura about the person. I am glad we had to read this because it helped me to realize that I need to push myself more. Although I did not get all of the information, it did help me.

PR

On Thursday we went through "peer review". This was something I have never done before and believe me, it did not sound very appealing. What happened was I gave my personal paper to a stranger to read and review. Although this sounds frightening, it really is not that bad, but actually rather helpful. Firstly, it helps diminish the pressure of handing it into the teacher, who is a partial stranger as well. Secondly, it helps to release the pressure of having to review it solo while also bringing in a new perspective. And so, even though this seemed rather frightening it turned out to be a good experience. It gave time to talk about your writing while listening to thoughts about it from a new point of view. It also helped me to know if the reader understood the point I was trying to portray. So I am glad we took time out of class to do this because I as well as being reviewed, I was able to review someone else and see what they were doing. This helped bring more ideas to my paper and see how they excelled.

-To Do-

Lately my brain has been feeling like oatmeal, so I am sorry if this blog seems completely out of place. The things that I want to do and want to be are always piling up. I want to be an achiever of my goals, but how am I going to do that when I cannot remember them all. Writing down your goals is very important. I am frequently making myself little "to do" lists. It not only helps me remember them but also gives me more reason. Reason to move on and keep on keeping on. I have goals in life and I want to fulfill them. Being able to see them plays a large role in completing them. I do luckily have a bucket list, but I feel that I still fail to add to it. Some things that I want to do are unforgettable. I want to be a "changer". I want to inspire people to be extraordinary. Helping someone to do something they cannot without a push. Giving someone a foot in a door or even just making them smile. I want to be a person that can create a huge difference without even realizing it. Going through the trouble to help someone because it does not even seem like trouble. I want to make a difference. October is breast cancer awareness month. One day I would like to be able to have a cancer awareness club set up. And with that club I want to help others be aware. Last year, I wore pink every day in October. Small steps can lead to big changes. Anyway, I want to make this club a reality and then, some day, shave my head for cancer awareness. This is something I want to do to help myself realize some of the things cancer victims go through. This is a very small step considering what they go through, but it is one I can take. I am not sure how this will all play out, but I am really hoping that I will be able to do this someday. I feel like cancer victims deserve to be recognized. This is one thing I can do to help them be recognized and also help myself be more aware.

If I Were A Boy - Beyonce

This video was...it's hard to put into words. We all know what we want to find in a partner. We have our list, in our head or on paper, it doesn’t matter. We know what we have and what we want. The real question is, “Do we appreciate what we have?” Is not what we have enough? It seems as if we are in such a fast paced, judgmental world that we do not, in so many words, stop to smell the roses. We go on in life and many finding the impulse, impulses to be happy. The fastest way to get happiness would make sense to be instantly, right? But what if it hurts someone in the end? Or what if this “instant” happiness leads one alone and unhappy. Why is it that so many people do not think about the outcome? Would you rather have a penny double each day for one year? Or two billion dollars tomorrow? After 146 days, doubling a penny would accumulate to approximately $892,029,807,941,224,925,661,428,730,905,928,962,681,077.75. This is a large amount of money, definitely more than two billion dollars. But it is different with money. People think more about it. I don’t know why exactly but I have my assumptions. This video puts into perspective a common relationship. Although it is by far not the only or the most common, it is common. Why it is common, instant happiness with no care of hurt could be a reason. I am not sure. It would be much harder for me to hurt someone than to simply love them in the first place, so for me, it seems beyond crazy. It is a lot to think about, becoming the opposite sex. This video definitely does not portray all the types of men, but it does portray one. What would you choose?

Girl Vs. Boy

I feel that so many of us convey ourselves differently than we actually are. Hollywood plays a large role in how we grow up viewing things and so, we act differently. People begin to copy, consciously or not, what they see. A sort of monkey see, monkey do sort of thing. So when we describe men or women, I feel we describe them fairly accurately as stereotypical men or women. This is because we are describing the group, men or women. It is a completely different aspect when we look more directly to just one person. As a group, although, I feel that a common description is correct. Each man or woman shows more of what is “Hollywood” than who he or she really is. It is much easier to notice when you first meet someone and then realize how they change. At first he was seen more plainly as a common, average person. Until he transformed into whom he really is. The way I describe a man is just as I see it. And until I see it differently he is a stereotype, common man. I will admit, some men and women are not common at first sight. Then again, we are maybe only describing the unknown. We are stereotyping the display, the display that each man or women puts up to cover his or her real personality. I have not actually thought too long or hard about being a man. And the things I have thought of made being a man, easy. There would be no periods, no labor, no premenstrual syndrome, no makeup, no skintimate, no axillaries to shave, and no heavy purses to carry. But in a more realistic point of view, I have not. And really, I am not sure how much I would want to. It would be hard to do and even harder to find out what it would be like. Being a girl has its downfalls but, I would not change a thing. I guess I can never know for sure though:)

The Notebook

"And how, I wonder, will this story end?" Already, there is a start to thinking about the end. Looking into the future wondering, “What will happen?” Then he speaks of a cold that will never go away and that has been eighty years in the making. I believe he is speaking of fate. Fate had this cold in the making. So the eighty years of his life were building up to this cold? And what type of cold exactly? His life, he appreciates what he has when he states “neither have I burrowed around with the gophers.” Stating his luckiness for what he has, instead of his unhappiness and greed for what he does not. And he goes on to say he is lucky, knowing that there are people that are worse off. Though he may think what he has is lucky, he goes on to say he is no one special, showing humbleness or truth within himself. But still he realizes the greatness he has had, “to love another with all of his heart and soul.” It also seems that he is deeply rooted in appreciation for what he has. He would not take it back because his path has always been the right one. It is similar to saying that everything happens for a reason. And still seems to restate his dedication several times: the notebook I have read a hundred times, well-worn cover, etc. And then he goes to a place that he must go to. But I believe it is because he wants to that he feel s he must. And it is this want that he dedicates himself to. “A person can get used to anything, if given enough time.” I feel that he almost lived by this quote, knowing that his hardships will be able with time. Just as time heals all wounds as a person becomes used to his wound. He shows this himself when he speaks above the crying, something he has become numb to. And so he prays for strength, strength to keep on? For composure? And especially this stories demonstrates a lot about hope. The hope he has that keeps him dedicated and brings “dedication” to life. The hope he has and the experience of his hope presenting itself as a miracle is a great power that changes the mind. He lives beyond the facts and the facts’ flaws. This is the miracle that has come to dominate his life. It is the miracle that gives him the hope that brings his dedication to try, knowing it may not happen.

Me Talk Pretty One Day

This story was extremely interesting and somewhat funny to me. So he first moves to Paris because he is so interested in learning the language. Even so, that he arrives early to class to observe others in their own conversations. It may seem at first that he was going early simply to learn more, but is soon intimidated by the confidence of the others. This is surprising that people become intimidated so easily, mostly because it is true. Intimidation may come easily but the act of giving up, I believe is seen much less. And soon he is already caught up in a question to which he does not know the answer. It is interesting how a person can know something by heart at one point and after so many hours, days, months, it is almost as if it was never known. The teacher turns out to be very, very intimidating and I found it quite funny to read how he scrambled to think of an answer to the teacher’s now, trick question. All because of the response she gave her students, David quickly realized that this question was not just about answering it. And just like any other human, he jotted notes about the answer to her question. And as he finally delivered his answer, her response made him believe he had butchered the entire thing! As she proceeded with the other students, class proceeded to an end. And “we all left class foolishly believing the worst was over.” How humans can jump to conclusions because of past experiences is an amazing thing. The patterns humans put together because of the way it happened before. And then, they end up being wrong. It is a funny thing, but I feel that the way this teacher was, really did help the students learn the fastest. I also find it interesting how people in power operate. The students were forbidden any other language than French. Even so, the teacher found her way into the minds of the students and used each student’s language. This is a mental blow, I believe because each student’s language in the classroom is almost personal. It is what they grew up with and mentally is a comfort zone. So she whips that out in front of them for a whole new degree to insult them. This was mildly funny but also, strange. Strange how one person can understand this and use against the other. After the fear became so strong to David it was not only in the classroom, but in his everyday living. Without completely realizing it, he was excelling in the French language. And finally one day in class, he realized that he understood everything. It was such a rewarding experience for him, that he “bathed in the subtle beauty of each new curse and insult”. And I say, “Yea for David”. The stress and discomfort that he endured provided him with the satisfaction of a well earned knowledge.

When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

This story meant a lot about waiting, waiting in life for life. It showed what it means to hope and how to cope with what is to come. “Each week Mr. Pirzada wrote letters to his wife, and sent comic books to each of his seven daughters.” Without knowing whether his family is alive or not, Mr. Pirzada took the time each week to hope and believe that they are. This story also demonstrates the genuine kindness found within limited people in the world; as well as the racial choices done throughout living. It’s funny how things can go unnoticed or unremembered, although it may occur two, three times. Children especially demonstrate this factor of ‘going through the motions’; unnoticing things, simply moving on without complete appreciation for everything that happens in a day. They do, just as this young lady does when Mr. Pirzada comes over. This story also makes me think how adults feed into the minds of children. They feed the children with each of their own thoughts and moves. Just as it made no sense that Mr. Pirzada was not Indian, her father insisted on her understanding what he meant. This also demonstrates the innocence of a child and how she has a lesser judgment of human and thought.

As I proceeded with this story I began to think I would not like it as much as I thought. It seemed as though it was only dragging on to end in disaster. Although it had some other key points that made me think about living, I still was unsure that I would like it. Finally it ended with Mr. Pirzada reunited with his long awaited family. And I knew that if it would not have ended in this way, it would not have felt right.

Learning To Read and Write

This story really ended up catching my attention. Between its realistic views and picturesque writing, I was in an intense trance! I feel that when F. Douglas stated, “Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities,” it really shows how much of an impact, even the thought of slavery, had on everyone.  Slavery was so strongly lived by that even the sweetest of hearts turned to stone. I feel this shows a great, terrible crisis that American’s once easily accepted into their lives. Douglas ended up becoming a very lucky slave who had extreme wit. He created plans that would further him in knowledge. This is a strong aspect of him that I feel is a need in society still today. Still, even though Doulas was a strong character, inside he still held a weakness. I feel that this was stated more directly when he stated, “you will be free as soon as you are twenty one, but I am a slave for life!” He was also a deep individual, for he thought into the answers which he sought. Knowing that “the thought of being a slave for life” would bear heavily on his heart at the age of twelve showed that he had grown up very quickly. And soon he experienced the reason his owners did not want him to read. He experienced hate towards his owners.  And because of this he thought of reading as a curse? What a thoughtful individual to blame knowledge instead of human power and mind. He must have had a heart larger than Texas to hate himself for hating someone else, to hate his mind because he hated his enslavers, to want stupidity so he would not hate. Still he moved on and began again to learn, connecting meaning to words and understanding his surroundings. Once he understood, abolition, he knew, somehow, that it was meant to be his secret knowledge. Even others knew that Douglas was much further than just a man. This, I feel, was stated when the Irish men met Douglas. Because Douglas was a good man, he earned the advice from the Irish men. And though he earned the advice he had wanted his entire life, he chose the route of knowledge first. He chose what he once hated. He chose the thing that every person needs, strength of mind.

Who am I?

I am a freshman at the University of South Dakota. I am a determined young lady with high hopes and strong beliefs. I am Catholic and pray regularly. Living in Nebraska was great growing up because I got to call myself a Husker:) Growing up on a farm I also learned, maybe too much, about hard work. There is a quote from Teddy Roosevelt that I feel describes the opportunities I experienced growing up and it is a quote I, someday, want my children to know and grow with as well; "Far and away the greatest gift that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." This quote describes the long hard days on the farm with my mom and my seven brothers and sisters. As I child, I felt that just getting through the day was a task. This was because my brothers always had to have their way, my older sisters as well. I am an adult now and feel that there is not any task that I cannot accomplish. As long as I want it, I can do it. I have been through a lot in my life and would never change a thing. Because I am happy with who I am now. Although I am still changing myself, I am happy with me. And so I go on doing things that make me happy, like golf or softball. Chatting on the phone with friends. Eating delicious and different foods, drawing, and singing at home. To just anyone, I am an ordinary girl going to college with two jobs and one best friend. But I choose to believe I am more than that. I am Christina Schroeder, a husker fan and good friend.