Thursday, April 20, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Hits and Misses
It is hard for me to think about specific pieces of writing that were a hit or a miss. I feel that most of my pieces of writing had hits and misses in them. If I have to pick a hit though, I would pick doing the blog posts. One of the things that worked for me was that I always knew when they were due and what was expected of me. I could make a plan for a time to complete the work. Also, Dr.D's explanations of the requirements were clear. I like the freedom of being able to express my thought while being confident I could make a good grade. I feel i've become a better proofreader and so for my blogs i've become pretty good at turning them in without obvious errors.
One of the examples of a piece of writing that had both hits and misses in it would be my research paper. One of the hits for it is that I feel like I could do the process much better now. One of the misses in the process was doing the research and the research cards. I missed how I did my cards for use in my paper. I would organize them differently in the future. Another miss in that writing was the I don't think my message was as strong as I wanted it to be. The information was in my head, but it didn't come across the way I intended. That project tortured me.
One of the examples of a piece of writing that had both hits and misses in it would be my research paper. One of the hits for it is that I feel like I could do the process much better now. One of the misses in the process was doing the research and the research cards. I missed how I did my cards for use in my paper. I would organize them differently in the future. Another miss in that writing was the I don't think my message was as strong as I wanted it to be. The information was in my head, but it didn't come across the way I intended. That project tortured me.
Anticipating Our Next Book
The first statement I want to respond to is statement #2, If you are in a position of power, you are happy. I strongly disagree with this statement. I do think power can give a person control and sometimes even wealth. Power, however, does not necessarily mean happiness. Take Papa from the book Purple Hibiscus for example. He is powerful and wealthy, but does he really experience joy or happiness? In this same book Father Amadi seems very happy and he is not a man of power or wealth. People with power may be happy, but it may be easier to find happiness with money and control, but just because someone is powerful does not mean they are happy
The second statement I want to respond to is statement #4, Who we are--our essential character and temperament--is fixed and unchangeable. This is another statement I disagree with. Although I do think we are born with some of our essential character and temperament, I do not think it is fixed and unchangeable. I think we learn right from wrong from our parents and figure out what we believe as we mature and as we grow. I think a persons environment has a great deal to do with how their character and temperament develop. I also think their is goodness in everyone but both our character and our experiences decide weather the good in us comes out or not. Papa in Purple Hibiscus is an example, also he was abused when he lived in the monastery and he abuses his family. If he had not been abused would he still be an abuser? I do not think a persons character and temperament is unchangeable.
The second statement I want to respond to is statement #4, Who we are--our essential character and temperament--is fixed and unchangeable. This is another statement I disagree with. Although I do think we are born with some of our essential character and temperament, I do not think it is fixed and unchangeable. I think we learn right from wrong from our parents and figure out what we believe as we mature and as we grow. I think a persons environment has a great deal to do with how their character and temperament develop. I also think their is goodness in everyone but both our character and our experiences decide weather the good in us comes out or not. Papa in Purple Hibiscus is an example, also he was abused when he lived in the monastery and he abuses his family. If he had not been abused would he still be an abuser? I do not think a persons character and temperament is unchangeable.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Q4 W4 Prompt
The prompt I chose was, "What places do you remember fondly from your childhood?" I chose this prompt because I can remember a lot of places fondly from when I was younger. Of course, I love Disney World. I traveled there for the first time with what I call my "chosen family". Ever since then I know when I go back to Disney World I am going to be stress free and happy. But I also have fond memories of visiting my grandmother in her nursing home. My parents would let me go to the vending machine to get a bag of yummy cookies. Then I would crawl all over my grandmother's chair and bed and eat cookies! That is a good memory for me.
I also have fond memories of going to the beach with my family including my aunt, uncle and cousins. We go every year on July 4th to celebrate my other grandmother's fourth of July birthday. Now that my grandmother has passed away we still go together and celebrate. But probably the place that is my favorite memory from childhood is going to Maine in the summer when my grandmother could still travel. We would take her to see her family up north and stay in Maine at fun places with my cousins. I have great memories from those trips and I will never forget them.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Q4 W4 Reading challenges
One of the biggest challenges I have had reading this book is that I read slowly when I am reading for comprehension and we are given a lot to read almost every night. Even though the book is good and interesting I am tired after practice and other homework so it can be hard to enjoy the reading when I am focused on keeping up with the assigned reading. One of the things I am doing to make the book more enjoyable is writing the reading responses instead of doing annotations. I think this has really helped me enjoy the book more. Another thing I am doing is after I read I sometimes listen to the book over the weekends. It makes the harder words easier and interesting. I especially like the names pronounced for me in the beginning of the book so that I have that with me when I continue to read. I think those two things have been the most effective for me in reading this challenging book.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Political Article Post
The political article I chose to write about is "Biden: "Do I regret not being president? Yes" The link to the article is listed at the bottom of this blog. The author refers to a speaking engagement former Vice President Joe Biden had at Colgate University. Biden was basically asked if he regretted not running for president. Biden replied basically that he regrets that he is not the president but that he did not run because his son, Beau, had been diagnosed with brain cancer. Biden knew this would keep him from focusing fully on the campaign to run for president. Biden is basically saying in this article that he thinks he could have won the democratic primary and then could have beaten Trump. Although he does not say this in the article I believe it implies it.
I chose this article because I was looking on the computer about things related to the recent presidential campaign that were different than the usual stuff I've heard. There is still much discussion about how Trump won the presidency. Many people are still very surprised Trump won. This article answers the question about why Biden didn't run. I had not heard this before so I thought it was very interesting. In my opinion Biden may be right, but of course we will never know.
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/03/26/biden-do-i-regret-not-being-president-yes/22012319/
I chose this article because I was looking on the computer about things related to the recent presidential campaign that were different than the usual stuff I've heard. There is still much discussion about how Trump won the presidency. Many people are still very surprised Trump won. This article answers the question about why Biden didn't run. I had not heard this before so I thought it was very interesting. In my opinion Biden may be right, but of course we will never know.
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/03/26/biden-do-i-regret-not-being-president-yes/22012319/
Monday, March 20, 2017
Free Post - Weddings and Funerals
The past few weeks have been really interesting and contrasting. Last weekend I went to New Orleans for the weekend to be part of a wedding. My cousin got married to a chap from Australia. There were people at the wedding from five different continents; North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The bride and groom will honeymoon in Africa. That's a lot of ground to cover. And it was really interesting being around people from so many different places. It was great to be around so many people who were so happy.
I also went to a funeral of a man who was kind of like a grandfather to me. He was my aunt's father-in-law and he was at all of our family holiday celebrations. He always lead the prayers before our meals. I called him PawPaw. He was married for almost 70 years and his travel was either when he fought in World War II or when he went to visit his family in Kentucky. Oh yeah, and he traveled sometimes to LSU games. We celebrated his life and it was both sad and happy to remember him.
Funerals and weddings are very different for obvious reasons. But they are also the same. They are a celebration of life.
Learning Reflection
Over the first three quarters I have learned that as a student I am pretty good at getting my work done on time when I have a plan and when I know my assignments in advance. It is helpful to me to know that every week I have certain things I have to do in English class. As a reader I am learning that I like to read books that don't keep my interest without causing me to get stressed. As a writer I have learned I do much better at writing when I use a late keyboard at home and I am chilled out. I do not write my best on tests or when I am nervous and feel in a hurry.
In the last quarter I am going to work hard to continue to get my work done on time. I will keep doing all of my homework to help keep my grades up. I will choose books that interest me and make me feel good when I read them. I will try to get all the work I can done over the weekends when I don't have games and practice. I am trying to become a better writer and one way I can do this is to try and chill out more and the thoughts flow.
In the last quarter I am going to work hard to continue to get my work done on time. I will keep doing all of my homework to help keep my grades up. I will choose books that interest me and make me feel good when I read them. I will try to get all the work I can done over the weekends when I don't have games and practice. I am trying to become a better writer and one way I can do this is to try and chill out more and the thoughts flow.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
Song
"Movin Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel is an interesting song. One of the techniques Joel uses to make his point in the song is that the tempo of the music changes with the mood I think Joel is trying to create. The song's message is basically that it isn't worth being a workaholic just to buy things. He is saying if that is what it means to be "movin' up" then he is "movin' out". In other words Joel is telling us that he doesn't want to be someone who gives into society's pressure to work for material things while making yourself miserable.
Joel uses cacophony when he sings, "Workin' to hard can give me a heart attack ack ack ack ack ack". He uses this technique numerous times and it feels irritating, just like working too hard and having a heart attack would be irritating. Then the music tempo changes to a more melodic sound and Joel sings, "It seems such a waste of time, if that's what its all about, if that's movin' up then I'm moving out." He sings the words, "movin' out" more harshly, like he means it. I think he is using a hyperbole when he says, "He's tradin' in his Chevy for a Cadillac ac ac ac ac ac you oughta know by now, and if he can't drive with a broken back at least he can polish the fenders". He doesn't really mean he would have an actual broken back, he means he has worked to hard and now can't do the things he saved up to do. I also think the title and chorus "movin' up" is an oxymoron and that is the point of the song. "Movin' up" isn't really moving in a positive or good direction. Also Billy Joel changes the stanzas to change mood along with his meaning so when he is moving out he is singing pleasantly and more chilled and when he is singing about the rat race he is move hurried. It is an interesting song.
Lyrics - https://www.billyjoel.com/song/movin-out-anthonys-song-5/
video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8buJ2-oD02E
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Free Post - Mardi Gras break
Over the Mardi Gras break a lot of my friends have gone skiing or somewhere wonderful and exciting. I stayed in Baton Rouge. I missed almost a week of school because of the flu so I have make up work to do over the break and I want to start school next week being caught up and ready. And then there are sports. I love sports, almost all sports. And I have goals to work out and get healthy over the break. So I will try and get some good rest. Also, there are things I should do with my sports at Episcopal.
Freshman basketball is over for me so I can now play baseball for EHS. I am excited to get to baseball, I love the game. Our Episcopal varsity basketball team is in the playoffs and it is the right thing to do to stay in town and attend those games and events. Monday night the varsity basketball team played the first playoff game and it was the first boys game played in our home gym. It was a sweet win. Wednesday night Episcopal was featured on a radio show and Coach asked everyone who could to attend. It was exciting to hear Coach and our seniors being interviewed. Thursday night we play St. Charles, and in our home gym. We should bring home that win and if we do then its off the finals in Lake Charles next week. So, all in all, it hasn't been a bad week.
Freshman basketball is over for me so I can now play baseball for EHS. I am excited to get to baseball, I love the game. Our Episcopal varsity basketball team is in the playoffs and it is the right thing to do to stay in town and attend those games and events. Monday night the varsity basketball team played the first playoff game and it was the first boys game played in our home gym. It was a sweet win. Wednesday night Episcopal was featured on a radio show and Coach asked everyone who could to attend. It was exciting to hear Coach and our seniors being interviewed. Thursday night we play St. Charles, and in our home gym. We should bring home that win and if we do then its off the finals in Lake Charles next week. So, all in all, it hasn't been a bad week.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Poem
Pop, the baseball hits the center of the glove.
Whoosh, the bat swings 'round but misses the ball.
The grass rustles with the wind from above.
Without a hit the team will fall.
Thump, thump, hearts beat fast
Thip, the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
Ping, the ball is punished by the bat.
Eyes follow the ball across the grand stand.
Our team wins the game, now how about that.
Screams of disappointment and joy
Onomatopoeia, End rhyme, personification
Whoosh, the bat swings 'round but misses the ball.
The grass rustles with the wind from above.
Without a hit the team will fall.
Thump, thump, hearts beat fast
Thip, the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
Ping, the ball is punished by the bat.
Eyes follow the ball across the grand stand.
Our team wins the game, now how about that.
Screams of disappointment and joy
Onomatopoeia, End rhyme, personification
Opening Weekend at the Box
This weekend LSU plays in the season opener at Alex Box Stadium, it is called Military Appreciation Weekend. It is a round robin type of tournament. LSU plays Air force and Army. Some of the LSU players are wearing shoes with stars and stripes to be proponents of their opponents military service. This does not mean, however, they will concede the game. This is the Tigers' first showing and I speculate they will win all three games. I do wonder if there will be any monetary benefits for the Air force or the Army for coming to Alex Box. In addition to supporting the Military, one of the fallen East Baton Rouge Deputy Sheriff's officers, Brad Garafola, Sr., will be remembered. His son, Brad Garafola, Jr. has been deemed to throw out the first pitch. I think it should be a great weekend.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
TATDPTI to pg 101
First, I am really enjoying this book and I didn't think I was even going to like it. Reading it makes me want to read more books by Sherman Alexia.
Ok, Jr. starts a new school in Rearden with mostly white people. We learn Jr's real name is Arnold Spirit and that he kind of becomes Arnold at school and Jr on the rez. We also find out about the Indian Rules of Fisticuffs and that Jr doesn't realize everyone doesn't follow these rules he has know all of his life. Arnold also is confronted by a group of studs and eventually punches one of them name Roger. Roger then respects Arnold.
Arnold likes a girl at school named Penelope. She is nice to Arnold and seems to respect him but doesn't like him in the same way he likes her. Also, Arnold realized he is smarter than most of the kids at his new school and eventually he becomes sort of friends with a smart nerd named Gordy.
Mary, Jr.'s sister, sends him an email letting him know about her life on the big new reservation in Montana called Flathead and she loves her life. The email tells how different life is on that reservation from the rez where Jr. lives.
Ok, Jr. starts a new school in Rearden with mostly white people. We learn Jr's real name is Arnold Spirit and that he kind of becomes Arnold at school and Jr on the rez. We also find out about the Indian Rules of Fisticuffs and that Jr doesn't realize everyone doesn't follow these rules he has know all of his life. Arnold also is confronted by a group of studs and eventually punches one of them name Roger. Roger then respects Arnold.
Arnold likes a girl at school named Penelope. She is nice to Arnold and seems to respect him but doesn't like him in the same way he likes her. Also, Arnold realized he is smarter than most of the kids at his new school and eventually he becomes sort of friends with a smart nerd named Gordy.
Mary, Jr.'s sister, sends him an email letting him know about her life on the big new reservation in Montana called Flathead and she loves her life. The email tells how different life is on that reservation from the rez where Jr. lives.
Research
The two things I have learned during my research work so far are the value of the research sources in the beginning of the process and the value the notecards can have. What I mean by the value of the research sources in the beginning is that I initially thought I had to get all of my sources on line through the Aldrich Library and this limited me. If I had it to do over I would have gotten more sources from the web and from a public library. This would have been valuable for me. What I mean by the value of the notecards is that now I would do a better job of writing information on the notecards and them grouping them a little differently. I would do these things differently because I think it would help make things easier with my outline and then my paper.
One of the problems I had with my paper was that because my notecards weren't done exactly like I could have done them, when writing my outline and paper I had to do a lot of rereading of my sources. I could remember what I had read and what I wanted to say but I couldn't always remember the exact source so I spent a lot of time having to reread the research. Also, I wish I could make my paper flow better.
One of the problems I had with my paper was that because my notecards weren't done exactly like I could have done them, when writing my outline and paper I had to do a lot of rereading of my sources. I could remember what I had read and what I wanted to say but I couldn't always remember the exact source so I spent a lot of time having to reread the research. Also, I wish I could make my paper flow better.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
TATDPTI - p 53
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is just what the name says, the true story of a kid named Arnold who lives on an Indian reservation. He has a brain condition he calls water on the brain that left him with all sorts of physical challenges. The Indian reservation he lives on is filled with people, Indians, who have given up any hope for a better life. Arnold's father is a drunk and the family dog, Oscar, gets sick and needs medicine the family can't afford. Eventually the dad shoots Oscar because the dog is so sick.
Arnold obviously faces a lot of challenges on the reservation. He figures out he is being taught from the same school book his mother used when she was a student. He gets so upset he throws the book at his teacher. This book should be depressing but it is hilarious and entertaining. I am really enjoying this book. The author finds a way to write that makes things funny while the reality is still depressing. I didn't think I was going to like this book but I definitely do. I am happy I have to read this book.
A tough week for Basketball
This week was a tough week for Episcopal Knights basketball. The Varsity team played Dunham and Jehovah Jireh, these two important games. The Knights lost both of them. Jehovah Jireh is a really good team and the Knights got within two points of tying them. The season started out really great for Knights, we were winning most of the games but these last two loses were tough ones. The first was tough because we lost to Dunham, our rivals, and we lost by 20 points. The second one was tough because we came so close to beating a really good team.
The Freshman team played in a tournament last weekend and at Phillips Gym on Thursday. We played well and won two of the three games. We lost to Brusly in the third game. That game was a tough loss because it was the tournament championship. On Thursday it was good to play at home in Phillips gym. We won the game and that was good. It wasn't my best game, I missed an easy lay up and it was embarrassing. All in all, it was a tough week for Basketball.
The Freshman team played in a tournament last weekend and at Phillips Gym on Thursday. We played well and won two of the three games. We lost to Brusly in the third game. That game was a tough loss because it was the tournament championship. On Thursday it was good to play at home in Phillips gym. We won the game and that was good. It wasn't my best game, I missed an easy lay up and it was embarrassing. All in all, it was a tough week for Basketball.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
The Khans
Genghis Khan is an important person we learned about in history class. He was the first leader and creator of the Mongol Empire. He started the empire from nomadic tribes with no common history, language, or religion. At its largest it was the biggest contiguous empire the world has known. He obviously left his mark on history. Kublai Khan, Genghis's grandson, was the next great Mongol leader. He led the Mongol empire to conquer China. He also left his mark on history.
In 2003 there was a report from a medical study that showed the Khans may have left even more of a mark on history. The study showed that 8% of the male population in the region that was the Mongol empire all have the same Y-chromosome. And, .5% of the men in the world have the same chromosome. Of course unless they find Genghis Khan's gave sight, they can't prove that the DNA is or isn't his. Historians say however that all of the unique circumstances surrounding Genghis Khan and his male relatives indicated the Y-chromosome is likely from his family line. They are even calling it the Genghis Khan marker. So it seems the Khans made another mark on history we didn't know about until recently.
In 2003 there was a report from a medical study that showed the Khans may have left even more of a mark on history. The study showed that 8% of the male population in the region that was the Mongol empire all have the same Y-chromosome. And, .5% of the men in the world have the same chromosome. Of course unless they find Genghis Khan's gave sight, they can't prove that the DNA is or isn't his. Historians say however that all of the unique circumstances surrounding Genghis Khan and his male relatives indicated the Y-chromosome is likely from his family line. They are even calling it the Genghis Khan marker. So it seems the Khans made another mark on history we didn't know about until recently.
High School
What I learned in my first semester of high school is that school is harder and sports are a huge time commitment. In high school the work load is greater, the projects are harder and take longer, and the tests and quizzes are harder too. I have committed to playing three sports, football, basketball, and baseball. These sports require practice or games every day, even weekends. I love sports and I love being able to play three but it is hard with so much school work.
The other thing I have learned in high school is that there is more time to do my work during the school day. I have Study Hall most days. Also, if I need to work during tutorial there is usually one a day where I can do some work. What I need to work on is using that time wisely. I think it is just hard to do it all but my semester can be better if I use that time wisely.
The other thing I have learned in high school is that there is more time to do my work during the school day. I have Study Hall most days. Also, if I need to work during tutorial there is usually one a day where I can do some work. What I need to work on is using that time wisely. I think it is just hard to do it all but my semester can be better if I use that time wisely.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Research Update
Research has taken a lot of time for me. I sometimes do better off using printed paper than off of the computer so I printed most of my research. Looks like we are going to need more printer paper at my house, oops. It is interesting learning about my topic. What I find difficult is having to do the research through our school library database website.
Another thing that was difficult for me doing the research was that I got sick before I finished the work. By the time I got well it felt like I had to start over because I had trouble remembering what I had done. One of the things that has worked is highlighting interesting information on the pages I printed. Another thing that has worked for me is having a folder of just the research information. I think when we get back to school it will all start to make sense to me again because I am feeling better now.
Another thing that was difficult for me doing the research was that I got sick before I finished the work. By the time I got well it felt like I had to start over because I had trouble remembering what I had done. One of the things that has worked is highlighting interesting information on the pages I printed. Another thing that has worked for me is having a folder of just the research information. I think when we get back to school it will all start to make sense to me again because I am feeling better now.
Knights win at the buzzer......twice
This year I am on the freshman Knights basketball team. One of the requirements of that team is attending and helping with Varsity games. This year the schedule has been tough because of the flooding of the gyms. Even though it takes a lot of time to set up, chart and clean up for the Varsity games it can be a fun thing to do. Watching the Knights win is the most fun.
Over the Christmas break the Varsity team won two games off "buzzer beater". In the first one Knights were playing Parkview at Parkview and the score was tied. Squid, William Harrell, shot a 3 pointer that was in the air as the buzzer went off. Knights win! When Knights played Denham Springs the game was tied and this time Brandon took the shot. He made it but he didn't actually get it off before the buzzer. The refs still counted it and the Knights won. We are off to great start.
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