The Final Essay

Deciding on what we want to learn is the great part about out AP Literature class. At first it's confusing and you forget that everything you do is posted on your blog. You hardly use paper or a pen unless it was for the everyday journal topics we receive each day. This class gives us a sense of freedom and a closer feel of adulthood. You're on your own now. The open source learning we are able to utilize is what makes everything about this class so different. We're able to go online and look up information or a definition of a word. We have a say on what we want to learn about and what our final projects should be on.
We were taught new ways to learn. Not just from books but from our peers as well. Walking into class for the first time was something different. I felt hooked on the class. It's a total different environment. The feeling of the class is just so positive and full of new ideas. Every day was a different day. Even with the daily journals you were shocked at how one day we'll talk about Hamlet and the next day we're talking about our passion in life. We have so much freedom and in the end we built that trust with every one in the class and created a different way of learning.
Open Source Learning opened a new door for me. It also made me a better person. I realized what I love doing and what my passion is. If it wasn't for this class I wouldn't be the person I've grown to be. All the responsibility that we were given made me and independent person.

It started with a seed. MASTERPIECE

To get an idea of what I've done on my master piece click on Jasmine's Blog


:)

Lit Analysis #3

1. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck  is a fictional story based on the historical dust bowl event that took place in the United States during the 1930's. In the story a family, called the Joad family, is kicked out of their home by the banks and forced to travel around California working various low paying jobs including field workers. Through out the course of the story the family cases many tragedies including financial hardships, depression, and death.
2. The main theme of the novel is the importance of family even with all the drama the Joad's are forced to face they remain strong due to each others physical and emotion support. They show that family is all that you really need in this world.
3. Steinbeck's tone within the novel is strong willed constant. 

 4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.) 

CHARACTERIZATION 
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction. 

Reason for my absence on 4/11/2014

Finally got to visit the school I will be attending this fall! It was a bit cloudy but for the most part it was beautiful and sunny! SBCC is currently #1 in the nation. I've decided to attend SBCC rathr than going to AHC because I wanted to move out and be independent. Although it's a pricey alternative compared to living with my parents I've decided to take on the responsibility. 

I love the fact that this campus is right on the beach and not too far from home. :)

Today's Tunes 4/12/2014

Today's Tunes 4/8/2014

Enjoy!

I'll still always be amazed when I talk to old friends who I talked to every day for a long period of time. Knew all their hopes and dreams. And all of a sudden it just ended. Don't know if they still love the same music they did 3 years ago. Don't know if they still act the same. Don't know if they look different. Don't know if they got a haircut.
One day you talk to that person again and you feel like it's back to normal... But nothing will ever be the same as before.

Into the wild... (no internet)

NO TYPE OF INTERNET FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW.

But, I'm back. 

Haven't been reading Macbeth= confusion=bad grades.

LOOK AT MY BRAIN

Our masterpieces shows a lot of our inner thinking and the capability of what we can do and what we set your mind to. Just like our journals. For the days we have a free write and talk about anything we want. It shows what we think about most of the time and how we act on what we think about. I feel like our masterpieces are super complex projects that are always in the works because we are always thinking and we can come up with so many more different things!

WHAT ABOUT MY MASTERPIECE

Teacher Rap Battle voting is tomorrow at lunch! 

:) All for the Bless You Bags.

YOU'RE ALWAYS A WOMAN TO ME

Macbeth sees Lady Macbeth as a very macho woman. As silly as it sounds I feel that she seems a lot more manly and demanding than Macbeth.  Lady Macbeth tries to be more of the man and takes a "king" role. She wants all the power.
The audience sees her as a very deceitful woman.

Lit Analysis #2 Catcher in the Rye

1) Catcher in the Rye is about a young man named Holden Caulfield. Holden recently got expelled from Pencey Prep. Most of the story is set in New York City around the late 1940's. Holden got in a fight with his roommate. He then leaves school two days earlier to explore the wonderful New York City. While exploring the city he interacts with a lot of people and learns a lot about himself and the real world. Holden gets in a lot of trouble, he smokes and drinks and is very depressed. We don't understand why until Allie is talked about. His brother who passed away from Leukemia. I think the author's purpose of the story is to tell the world that we all need someone to look out for us.2) Loneliness is portrayed in the story. Holden seeks companionship he has meaningless encounters through out the novel. But, the whole time he's still lonely and lost. He is very dependent on his loneliness. He isolates himself from the world. Growing up and it's consequences is also a huge theme. Holden refuses to mature yet he smokes and does multiple adult activities that clashes with that pain of growing up. Love and Sex are also themes that are shown in the story. Holden is a very sensitive young man and is unable to divert his feelings into numbness. He's a very jealous person and it causes him to get in trouble. Holden gets into situations too deeply and too fast which causes him to shut down. He can't have sex because deep down all he wants is a person who will listen to him.3) Catcher in the Rye is very cynical and nostalgic.- "What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of good-by. I mean I've left schools and places I didn't even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don't care if it's a sad goody-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know I'm leaving it. If you don't, you feel even worse."-"It was that kind of crazy afternoon, terrifically cold, and no sun out or anything, and you felt like you were disappearing every time you crossed the road."-"What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff--I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere to catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be catcher in the rye and all."
4) "He put my goddamn paper down then looked at me like he'd just beaten hell out of me in ping pong or something." Simile
-"It's really ironical, because I'm six foot two and a half and I have gray hair. I really do. Te one side of my head-the right side- is full of millions of gray hairs. I've had them ever since I was a kid. And yet I still act sometimes like I was only about twelve." Hyperbole
-"
Characterization 1) "All you do is make a lot of dough and play golf and play bridge and buy cars and drink Martinis and look like a hot-shot.."At the end of it all I can understand what Holden goes through. He's been through a lot and it shows why he can be arrogant and cynical. 
2)The author's syntax and diction is a huge impact on the story. Through out the whole story the diction and tone is the same.
3) Holden is a flat character. He doesn't change at all. He's still very cynical in the end. 4) After reading the story I felt like there are many teenagers who are just like Holden. He's a very realistic character.

PAAAAARTY!

Don't let that tittle fool you.

A little interesting story that happened a couple days ago.

I was having a pretty bad day but I started thinking about my birthday. (in 2 months) I wanted to plan everything ahead of time since Grad Nite, Prom, and so many other events that are the key to my future college plans. When I think of all that is going to happen in the future it makes me happy. I love planning things because I feel calm and aware of what is going to happen. I like planning things according to what should be next.

I then though "I WANNA BE A PARTY PLANNER."

The point of my little story is that if you don't know what you want to do in life. Don't worry. It will eventually come to you. Being a party planner is not the only thing I want to do. I want to write a book, be a voice of a cartoon, work behind the scenes on tv. SO MUCH MORE.

I'm so ready for the future and what it has in store for me.

MY MACBETH RESOURCES

better late than never. :)

http://www.gradesaver.com/macbeth/

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethresources.html

http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/characters.html

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/m/macbeth/macbeth-at-a-glance

10 QUESTIONS

questions are currently being thought of

:)

NO TITLE

I typed in "communications major" and found this description:

MAJOR IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Communication Studies is an ideal major for students with multiple interests and diverse talents. The program provides tools for analyzing, managing, and improving communication in every arena of personal, public, and professional interaction. Our faculty value students who are eager to learn from and contribute to a flexible, challenging, and cutting-edge academic environment.  Our goal is to prepare students to take their place as responsible leaders, engaged citizens, and pioneering problem-solvers in their communities and chosen fields of work. To serve this goal, we strive to create challenging learning experiences that help students become both pragmatic and creative.

Our world-class faculty members teach courses and undertake research projects that blend theory with practice for productive, engaged criticism. Students in Communication Studies learn to evaluate communicative problems and produce solutions that adapt to changing situations and audiences. As a result, the undergraduate curriculum in this major rigorously prepares students for future participation in any number of diverse fields, such as advertising, marketing, management, public relations, political organizing and public affairs, consulting, and many others, as well as law and professional schools. You will find that professional opportunities abound and include a wide range of career choices.

found here

After reading this it made me realize. This is what I really want to major in. I have multiple interests and I don't want to do the same thing forever. I like helping others and working with the community. But I also like to be informed about so many things. I want to work with technology as well as work on TV. Possibly be a news reporter??? Write a book??? I don't know exactly what I want to do first but all I know is that I'm going to make a difference.

Community College anyone??

Sorry for the messy writing.. And the fact that it has creases on it. But if any of you are planning on going to Hancock or any community college. Or maybe ya wanna take a couple classes this summer then I highly suggest you prep for the entrance exam!

There was a workshop on Thursday during second period. Sign up for admissions and go to dirkes with your H number!

My apologies

The past couple of months I haven't been using my laptop due to the fact that I'm in need of a new one. But today I decided to turn on this sucker even though it sounds like a plane is about to take off.

Benchmark????

Okay, I'm totally confused with what exactly this should be about..
I am collaborating with Jasmine Beebe and a bunch of other people to create the "Bless You" bags. But other than that I mostly want to work with my major and learn more about the field I'm getting myself into and why. As of now I'm still researching and trying to figure things out.

Music Monday

Recently there was a rave hosted at the Filipino Community. Hosted by Aaron De Leija and Cody Villanueva. Right when this song played I got super pumped. Literally one of my favorites. Now I can't stop playing it. Enjoy.
Happy Monday!

BRAVE NEW ESSAY TOPIC

2. Discuss the relation between the sexes in the World State. How do men and women interact? Who holds the power in social situations, in the workplace, and in the government?

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/bravenew/study.html
This question makes me think about how teenagers my age see how men and women should and shouldn't engage in sexual activity. I feel like the world is slowly becoming how the book is. 

HAFTA/WANNA

It's second semester and this year is flying by. With my classes I don't feel like I'm in high school anymore. It's quite sad actually. So my life from the minute I wake up is very calming. I drink a cup of coffee and eat breakfast then get ready and still have time to just enjoy some tv. I see a huge difference with my life from last semester and now. Also from last year. I've been spending so much money on gas! I hardly eat out now and it's kind of scaring me for when I move for college in the fall. And it's a bit tougher since I'll be going to a community college and I don't have as much options with the little accomplishments I've made the past two years. 

I personally don't think I will feel any different the day after graduation. It's like the day after your birthday. You don't really feel a year older until things happen to you and you experience new things you've never really done. I know a friend who graduated last year it hit him right away after he graduated that things are going to be different. And it changed our relationship very much.

I tend to NOT balance all of my needs and need to do's very well. I expect to accomplish so much right when I know things are becoming more realistic and life changing. It's a bad but good trait I carry. If I feel any type of failure it can really ruin my day for me. Which I obviously have to work on. 

A Tale of Two Cities Lecture Notes

WHAT'S THE STORY?

Just being honest here. I do not know a thing from a tale of two cities and it's quite confusing...
HELP!

Lit Analysis #1 Semester 2

SIDDHARTHA

By: Hermann Hesse

1) A man name Siddhartha is born in a Brahmin family. He's loved and very well known but it's satisfied with his beliefs and decided to leave and join the Samanas. His close friend Govinda goes with him. After a couple years they are still unsatisfied with their beliefs and decided to listen to the teachings of Gotama. Siddhartha still unsatisfied leaves Govinda and he's now alone. Then he finds a  women name Kamala. Siddhartha works to give her what she wants. After all the lust and wealth that he obtained while being with Kamala he leaves his home and never returns. After contemplating on suicide Siddhartha sees his friend Govinda after years and years. Siddhartha then finds a ferryman named Vasudeva and Siddhartha becomes wiser and wiser. He then helps Govinda find arrive enlightenment. 

2) The theme of the book is wisdom and knowledge. Finding your spirit from within.

3) The tone of the book is very formal.

4) Imagery: "In the shade of the house, in the sunshine on the river bank by the boats, in the shade of the sallow wood and the fig tree, Siddhartha, the handsome Brahmin's son, grew up with his friend Govinda."

Metaphor:  "Om is the bow; the arrow is soul; Brahmin is the arrow's mark."
Simile: "Awaited in a new thirst like a hunter in the gap."

Personification: "Ask the river and hear its counsel for yourself." 

CHARACTERIZATION 
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction. 

it's been a while... MUSIC MONDAY!!!

This song was release in the album Doris by Earl Sweatshirt in August.
But, it's sooo good and I rediscovered it. Enjoy.
Happy Monday!

WHY DO WRITERS WRITE?

It was a unproductive Saturday night this weekend and after coming home from eating fries with a friend I decided to watch a movie on Netflix. Right on the Netflix dashboard a new movie Stuck in Love was being promoted. I watched it and it was your typical chick flick but it just made me realize how much I love to write about my life and past experiences. I'm not the best writer because I just tend to ramble but it made me realize how much I want to write a book when I'm older and much wiser. And in class today we discussed about writing and the difference between fiction and telling a lie and it brought me to this topic. And the question is "Why do writers write?" I don't know why I write but it's something I will definitely keep in mind.

Henry V

The first thing I see when I wake up....

What's in the way of when I'm doing my makeup in the morning. Also have one in my binder for when I'm out and about or not in my room.

Although we were assigned this passage on Friday and we don't have much time I decided to take Lisa Malin's advice. (I'll link later) I read her post on how she memorizes things and so I gave it a shot. I'm super determined on getting this whole thing down. It's been a challenge for me and I hope this technique works! Thanks again Lisa! :)

After collaborating with the group yesterday. Got more terms on Siddhartha. 

Lit Terms on siddhartha

Me much notes on the passage but this is the terms I came up with. 

Guys Pooh wants to read and study as well. *round of applause*

SIDDHARTHA QUESTIONS

1) If you were the river, would you be enlightenment or would you know enlightenment? In other words, what’s up with the river? What is it’s relation to enlightenment?

2) What does enlightenment look like in Siddhartha? Is it a feeling? An attitude?

3) What purpose does self-denial serve in Siddhartha? What about self-indulgence?

4) Why does he fear that he will not find it in prescribed religious teachings?

5) How does his father show both patience and wisdom in dealing with his son? 

These questions show that the AP test requires a lot of knowledge on literary terms. It makes me feel like the AP test is going to be filled with speculative fiction. HMM?!

If any of you guys remember Dolan's AP summer assignment? I thought these were required so I've kept them ever since. Thank Buddha I didn't throw them away.

Most of my Christmas presents. Hmm. I think people want me to read. Hehe 

HACKING MY EDUCATION

This semester I want to be able to just stay off Netflix. Not so much cable and focus on reading all the books I got for Christmas. I love reading. But, I always get so distracted and I forget about a book that I've been putting for for literally months. I've had The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo since Sophomore year and I still haven't finished it. There are so many other books that I want to read as well. Plus the Literature Analysis I must complete. I can be a very slow reader. 

I'd like to use my love for reading to hack this class. I don't know who's help I need but I guess this is just a self discipline type of thing and time management. 

I have no idea what type of collaboration work I want to do. I have some ideas but I don't know if I'm ready to start what I've been thinking about for years. It can take up so much time and requires a new laptop.