Dear Classmates

Dear Classmates and upcoming Freshman, 
  My first year in high school English is coming to an end, and i would like to give you all a few tips of surviving and getting good grades in high school English. My first tip would be always study a couple of days in advance when it comes to quizzes and test. I know whenever we were in middle school English you could just study the day before and get an A. But, high school English tests are different in ways that are microscopic. You do not really notice how they are different, but it just test more than your knowledge. 
  The second tip i have for you is always ALWAYS organize! Organization is the key to success. As most would know if you organize everything where you know where it is, it will always be easy to find all the handouts, or anything else. The third tip is keep everything that your teacher gives you. Because sometimes those random handouts that you do not think have any meaning could give you extra points on test and quizzes. Everything has meaning when you are in high school English. My fourth tip would be listen to the teacher. Also this is another thing that you could get away with in middle school. Because if you listen and take notes during class you will retain the information so much better! I have given you all the key to success, use you time wisely, and take my advice, and you will get a great grade in English 1!

Evaluation for 4th Quarter

   During freshman year I noticed that in the section of general procedures, I have come a far way. Almost every time i would come to class prepared will all my notebooks, and pencils, and a book if necessary. Going to the bathroom between classes is kind of hard for me the reason for this is whenever i would do that i would always end up late to class. I would check the Episcopal website several times, every night just to make sure i did not miss an email, or anything important. I would turn in my assignments on time, or unless i was given extended time. During class i do not always have a cooperative attitude, sometimes i would be laughing and it would interrupt the class, and what Dr. deGravelles was teaching. 
  In the category of lecture, announcements, whole class discussion i think i did okay. The reason why i say that is sometimes when i was really tired i would not listen in with both ears, but most of the time i was listening. I would comment to help keep the discussion going, and sometimes my question were not relevant to what the class was talking about. I would listen to my peers question and comments. Sometimes i would have side conversations with my peers. 
  The category of individual and group work i would focus on the task, because the more i got done, the less i had to do later. I would not distract other, and engaging in conversations that are not relevant to the task falls into the category of not distracting others.I would also try to go for the maximum quality, and i would always to and keep my group relevant to the task.
  The growth of my participation over the year has grown. The reason i say this is because i have become a better student by listening, and participating during many discussions that we have had over the year. 

Lady Macbeth

  I, the greatest of all, Lady Macbeth. I have finally convinced Macbeth to do my dirty work, and I now have to convince him to kill Malcolm. I am capable of many great things, if Macbeth chickens out like the coward he is, then i must kill Malcolm myself because we deserve to be the queen and king. I feel no guilt for what i have done, I feel triumph because we got away with the KING's murder. Only the best can do that, which i am the best. Those weird sisters were a blessing telling Macbeth that he was going to be king, and Macbeth was going to let fate take its course HA! As we all know Macbeth is weak and useless. 
  I hope once we have killed Malcolm we will get away with it, because i for one does not want to go to jail, and go crazy. I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Whomever might be reading this, watch your back, because you might be next. 


Lady Macbeth

Free Reading Throughout the Year

   Free reading throughout the year was really great. The reason why is if i was not told to read every week i probably would not have. This year has been one of my toughest because it was my first year of high school, and the work load threw me off balance. What i have learned is i love reading romances, i never really thought i would like reading those books, but this year i tried out reading The Lucky One. It was an amazing book. What i have confirmed with my previous beliefs is that i still love reading, this year i took my time, but whenever those breaks came i just attacked the books like there was nothing left. 
   I have used what i learned over the course such as how the author might describe the characters differently, to make the reader give more thought on what the significance of this character might be. The books that i read over the year have not really connected themes with any other books. What i have in mind to read next is The Notebook. I really cannot wait, because i have heard so many good things about this book. 


Reading Log:
Wednesday--60 minutes, The Lucky One
Friday--100 minutes, The Lucky One
Sunday--20 minutes, The Lucky One

Writing Wrap-Up

Alexandra Bowers

April 29, 2012

Block 4

Dr. deGravelles

Writing Wrap-Up

Throughout my ninth grade year writing papers’ has been tough. The hardest story to write out of all the papers has definitely been the literary analysis, Just Lather, That’s all, but is it? My overall score was not my best, but it was not my worst either. Most of the comments that I received from this paper made sense. The one comment that I was confused about was the first comment of the paper. The reason why I do not understand is whenever I said that Captain Torres was the antagonist, I meant that he was depicted as the bad guy in the short story. The majority of the comments that I was given throughout this paper were about not developing the paragraphs enough. Also, some of the quotes I did not give enough information to support it.

            The second hardest paper that I wrote was the research paper, The Issue of Human Trafficking and Sexual Abuse in Thailand. One of the main problems that I had with this paper was where to put the commas when I was writing the citation. I would also have trouble when I should know where put a comma, semicolon, or just a period. This paper had many mechanics errors. Also, another thing that I had trouble with was organization. It was difficult because I had collected a stack of information, and I couldn’t put all that information in a logical order. The last problem I had was word choice. I have to admit that I am never good when it comes to word choice. Once I reread the paper I wondered if I made my paper too casual, even though this paper was casual. In the end I was proud of the grade I was given.

            The first paper that we wrote this year was called Reading Through the Years. This was the worst paper that I had written all year. The main errors that I made were fragments, comma splices, and missing commas. All in all my mechanics were a little rusty from just coming off of summer. I agree with all of the comments that I was given.

            The descriptive profile was the second essay that we wrote, and mine was called My Backyard. I did not have many problems throughout this paper, but the main problem is I did not elaborate on the details as much as you had wished. Also, another problem I had was I make things to wordy. For example I wrote “beautiful flower that is a yellow-orange color”. The last paper I am discussing in the WrAP essay. I admit that I was expecting 3’s and 3.5’s. The reason is I do not know how the music industry works. I felt that I could not contribute to what the prompt was asking, and I did not have enough information to support the paper. So I found this essay difficult not only that we had to complete it in two days, but also I always like having more information than necessary, but also this time I had less information that was needed.

            Throughout the ninth grade I think have improved my writing skills a ton. The feedback that I was given matches what I have learned over the year, because in the beginning I would have many fragments and comma splices, but now I have improved upon that. I have also worked on if I should put a comma here of have a semicolon. Throughout the year I have improved on voice, ideas, sentence fluency and conventions, but I am still having trouble with organization, and word choice. Next year I plan on working on my two weak spots and also I would like to improve on the parts where I have gotten stronger. First, whenever I start to write my papers I will ask my teacher if he or she could review it (if they are allowed to), and then work on making the weak spots in the paper better. Second, I will ask one of my peers to review my paper, and see if there are any mistakes that need to be fixed. Third, if I am still having trouble I will go and visit this teacher to ask what I am doing wrong and then I will correct the mistakes I have made. This year I wished I would have done this more often, even though I did do it, I wish I would have repeated these steps multiple times. I am satisfied with the work I have done, but next year I want and will improve on all of my weaknesses. 

Sissy's Common Errors List

Common Errors List:

1. Misspelling:

Incorrect—“In addition, the barber said, “’So it was going to be very difficult to explain that I had him right in my hands and let him go peacefully—alive and shaved’” (286).

Correct—“In addition, the barber’s said, “‘so it was going to be very difficult to explain that I had him right in my hands and let him go peacefully—alive and shaved’” (286).

2. Instead of a colon, a period was needed:

            Incorrect—“The barber’s moral decision is decided with the following statement: ‘but I don’t want to be a murderer. You came to me for a shave. And I perform my work honorably. I don’t want blood on my hands. Just lather, that’s all. You are an executioner and I am only a barber.’” (287).

            Correct—“ The barber’s moral decision is decided with the following statement. “’But I don’t want to be a murderer. You came to me for a shave. And I perform my work honorably. I don’t want blood on my hands. Just lather, that’s all. You are an executioner and I am only a barber.’” (287).

3. Fragment:

            Incorrect—“Meaning Captain Torres probably always thinks of the repercussions of killing someone before and after he kills people.”

            Correct—“Captain Torres gives thought to killing his enemies.”

4. Missing Period:

            Incorrect—“As Yursil said that “’agent rushed him through signing the contracts, at least the one of which was in English, which Yursil does not read’” (“Slaves put Squid on U.S. Dining Tables from South Pacific Catch”)

            Correct—“As Yursil said that “’agent rushed him through signing the contracts, at least the one of which was in English, which Yursil does not read.'” (“Slaves put Squid on U.S. Dining Tables from South Pacific Catch”)

5. Missing Quotes:

            Incorrect—“This was passed in April 8, 1864 by the senate, and it was adopted by 

December 6, 1865.”

            Correct—“This was passed in April 8, 1864 by the senate, and it was “adopted” by 

December 6, 1865.”

6. Missing Period

            Incorrect—“Thailand defines trafficking as ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of person, by the means of the threat or use of force for the purpose of exploitation’”

            Correct—“Thailand defines trafficking as ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of person, by the means of the threat or use of force for the purpose of exploitation.’”

Outside Reading

Saturday--100 minutes Pretty Little Secrets 
Sunday--50 minutes Pretty Little Secrets

Analyzation "Set Fire to the Rain"

Here are links to watch, and the lyrics to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlsBObg-1BQ
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/adele/setfiretotherain.html


   The song that i decided to analyze was by: Adele, and called Set Fire to the Rain. The first technique that i noticed was personification. The line is
"I let it fall, my heart,
And as it fell you rose to claim it"
I think she is trying to tell us that her heart was was falling because he broke it, and he tried to pick her heart back up. That was the only personification that i saw in this song. Also this verse could fall into another category called image. 


   Another technique she used was image. Image was used a ton during this whole song one example is whenever she sings
"But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,"
This is a main part not only is it the chorus, but it helps paint a picture in your head. Whenever i hear this chorus some on all i can think about is a man and a woman standing in the rain while is fire is surrounding them, and she is also touching his face. These lines are very straight forward. 

Outside Reading

    This whole week i have been doing nothing but reading. The series that i finished this week was the series called the Summer I Turned Pretty. The series was fantastic. The writing was really good, and how she wrote each of of the books was amazing it was cool the technique she used for the timeline was she would jump back and forth from present and past, and then at the end of the book she would give you a little detail of what the future would hold. After you read that little segment of the future you just could not turn away from the series. 
   Another thing that i have been reading are the poems. It is interesting because i would never really consider reading poems and enjoying them. But, to my surprise i do enjoy reading the poems, and finding the techniques that the author is using to try and get his/her point across. I have to admit my favorite poem so far has been "Player Piano". The reason why i enjoyed it so much was because she used so many assonances and consonances. It was fun reading it aloud also, it was sort of a tongue twister!


Outside Reading:
Monday: 100 minutes
Tuesday: 110 minutes
Wednesday:150 minutes
Thursday: 30 minutes
Friday: 150 minutes
Saturday: 120 minutes
Total: 660 minutes

Analyzing a Poem

    The poem that i analyzed was "My Papa's Waltz" by: Theodore Roethke. This poem did not use many techniques, but the ones that he did choose he used them multiple times. The first technique he used was, the use of assonances. An assonance is the repetition of the vowel sounds. One time that he used this was whenever he said...


"With a palm caked hard by dirt"


The use of assonance is to make you realize that the author wants you to see that this line has significance towards the poem. 


   The second technique that i noticed that the author used was enjambments. An enjambement is whenever a line breaks in the middle of a phrase. An example of an enjambment that was used in the poem was...


"My mother's countenance
Could not unfrown itself."


   This shows significance toward the story to make you pause and rethink the sentence that you just read. These main techniques used throughout the poem make me come to the conclusion that when she waltz with her father it was always short and sweet, and it never lasted for more than a couple moments. 

Outside Reading

     This week i finally completed the final book in the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay. I was a little disappointed in how the book was written. It was definitely a good book. Comparing to the first two books, i consider it the worst out of the series. The ending was the part that was the most disappointing. I will not give away the ending but i have to say that it seemed like she was rushed to finish the book, and ended it very quickly. I wish she could have elaborated on how everyone's lives turned out. I am glad i read the book too,i would not take any of it back because it helped me get an overall understanding of how the Hunger Games where, and the feelings that everyone felt.  
   Also this week i just started reading The Summer I Turned Pretty. So far the i have not read very much. I have heard many great things, and a ton of people have recommended reading it. I am very excited to get into the book, and see what all the hype is about. First thing is the book is a little complicated, and it is hard to understand who everyone is and what it happening. One thing that i have noticed is the author jumps back and forth in her timeline. That is the main reason i am so confused. I bet it will become easier to read once i have really gotten into the book. 


Reading Log:
Monday--The Fish--30 minutes
Friday--Mockingjay--120 minutes
Saturday--The Summer I Turned Pretty--30 minutes

Free Write:Fourth Quater

   Fourth quater is finally here. I cannot believe how fast our first year of high school has gone. I am still learning how high school works. It is amazing how different middle school and high school are. I have not decided if middle school prepared me for what was to come in high school. Most of the time you could get an A on a test that you only studied for 30 minutes. If you did that now you might make a C if your lucky. I just wished that they would have gone a little harder on us in 8th grade.
  One thing that i got mixed up on is in middle school whenever third quarter ended everything seemed to be getting easier, and more relaxed. In high school that is not the story. I feel like since third quarter has ended all of the teachers have just pushed us farther. In a weird kind of a way i enjoy it because it means you really have to concentrate on what you are doing and you cannot distract yourself. I just hope i will not slack off of all the work that is to come. 

Mockingjay3

       Throughout this week and this weekend i have continued reading Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins. As always her writing is amazing, and it still amazes me. This weekend i did some research on how Suzanne Collins got her idea to write the hunger games series. The answer that i found was she was looking through the TV and was watching what was happening in Iraq, and then she was watching a reality show. The reason i was researching this information is my friends and I all went to watch the Hunger Games, and i recommend everyone to go and see the movies.
     Well, back to Mockingjay, i have to admit this has been my least favorite out of all the books. I guess that reason is there is not much action as the other two books have held. The book is still wonderful and all, but all the characters seem to all be losing their minds, and they seem distant. I mean distant as in everyone not being as defined as they used to be. I do not have much more to read, but i cannot wait to finish this series. 


Reading Log:
Wednesday March 21--10 minutes
Friday March 23-- 10 minutes
Saturday March 24--80 minutes
Sunday March 25--60 minutes

Free Write: Taylor Carmouche's Golden Birthday

      On Friday, everyone from ninth grade, and included a couple of people from different schools, gathered at the country club to surprise Taylor for her golden birthday. Throughout this week everyone was trying to keep the secret, but that was the hardest part. One example that i remember was Monty was talking to her and he goes "I am going to have so much dancing on friday." It was hysterical because we all looked at him and was like shhhh! But Taylor did not pick up on the hint! Thank goodness. 
    The party started at 8:30, because that was whenever Taylor was going to arrive. So all of the guests had to arrive at 8:00. Whenever she came around the corner we all jumped up and said SURPRISE! I really think she was surprised, even after all the hints that were dropped. Then, the music started up and we danced the night away, well only until 10:30. We all had so much fun!

MockingJay 2

         Throughout this week i have restarted reading the Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins. So far the book is spectacular. I can barley put it down. Every page you turn there is a new and more exciting thing that is happening. This is how the first two books were also. I am still amazed at how her words can make you believe that it is truly happening. Also, how you can imagine what is happening in your head, and it seems so real. 
        In the Mockingjay you can tell that everyone is not all there as they used to be. It is kind of interesting to see all of them slowing lose their minds in a way. As always Suzanne Collins writing is flawless. She inspires me to be a better writer each and every time i pick her book. 


Outside Reading:
Wednesday Mar.14--10 minutes 
Friday Mar. 16--10 minutes
Saturday Mar.17--100 minutes
Sunday Mar.18--50 minutes

Free Write: My Birthday

     On Tuesday i will turn 15! I am so excited, i just cannot believe that i am already 15. As everyone has experience time really does fly. On friday my mom, sister, and I all went to New Orleans to go shopping for new clothes this spring. I got four new outfits, and i absolutely adore all of them. We all had a blast, and i wish i could relive that day again! For my birthday i asked for running apparel, a cross necklace, and spring clothes. As you have read i have already gotten new clothes, so cross your fingers that i will get the cross necklace!
    On Tuesday morning i will be able to open one present, and it is normally the most memorable one. The sad part is my dad will not be at home to have my birthday dinner. The good thing is we will all be able to eat my birthday cake on Wednesday, and we will watch our family shows together. Every Wednesday we watch Modern Family, and The Middle. Both shows are really funny. I cannot wait til my birthday is here, and turning 15 also means that i will be able to get my permit! 
    

Mockingjay 1

      I just starting reading the Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I have no had much time to read the book as much as i have wanted. Suzanne Collins books i have to admit are stellar. The sentence structure, and how each paragraph flows into each other is amazing. I have always wonder how does an author gets inspiration to write books, and what makes them think of these ideas? It is amazing how she can produce these images into your mind, whenever you can not see a physical picture. 
    In the first chapters you learn that Katniss is a little unstable. I mean wouldn't you be a little unstable after going through two hunger games and still surviving them? Everyone begins to think it was a bad idea getting her out of the arena instead of Peeta. Even though Katniss does not know it herself, i knew she loved Peeta because she cannot do anything without thinking of him, and wondering if he is still alive or if he has died by the hands of President Snow.  


Outside Reading:
Sunday Mar.11: 150 minutes 

Free Write:Track

   Outdoor Track has officially started! Our first meet was yesterday, I have to admit the weather conditions was terrible. The wind was blowing, it was raining, and it was a damp cold. The events that i ran was the half mile, and the mile. I was not very proud with my results because i decreased my times. I ran my mile in the time of 6:41, and i ran my half mile at 3:10. My half mile time really depressed me because i could run that at my practices.
   What i enjoyed the most was that i got to spend all day with my friends. Even though the weather was terrible we made the best of it. And many of my teammates ran/jump amazing times and heights. I was proud of the result the Episcopal team. 

Nervous Conditions

    This week i have finished the novel, Nervous Conditions. Chapter ten was very interesting because Tambu kept repeating that she did not feel guilty for not writing Nyasha back, or missing any of her family members. Throughout the story you have come to see that Tambu's first priority is school. She has grown to not miss her family and she never wants to go home to the homestead. This transformation is just like Nhamo's. One of or discussions during class was about Nyasha's eating disorder. This is a main point in the story not just because she has an eating disorder, but that in her culture not many people have eating disorders, the reason is because the Englishness and her culture are now clashing. Also, another main point is that she uses a toothbrush to throw up her last meal, and that has a big significance because most people in her culture do not have toothbrushes. Throughout chapter 10 Nyahsa's condition worsens and Maiguru and Babamkuru both become concerned with her eating habits, and Nyasha becomes "skeleton" according to Tambu.
   This book was very interesting indeed. The reason is because i was shown a a new culture through what someone experience thought out her life. I really enjoyed reading this book, and i am glad i was given the the chance to read it.  


I read a 150 minutes of Nervous Conditions:
Sunday Feb. 26
Tuesday Feb. 28
Wednesday Feb.29
Sunday Mar. 4
    
    

Free Write: Keystone, Colorado

     During the Mardi Gras holiday my family and I all went to ski in Keystone, Colorado. We all had a blast. My parents used to live in Denver, Colorado for 10 years, and that is where my older sister was born. It was really interesting because on Wednesday we all visited my parents house they used to live in, also we got to see their apartment before they moved into the Highlands Ranch house. My sister and I got to learn so much about our parents history before we were even born. 
   Then in the afternoon of Wednesday we drove up to Keystone, and my sister, my day, and I all went night skiing it was really cold, and i could not even feel my hands! The next day was even worse the weather was wet and icy, so my mom, and I came back to the cabin and sat by the fire, and read, and took and nap. Then on Friday and Saturday the weather was amazing it was really sunny, and no clouds were in sight. We skied all day, and ate up on the mountain. On Saturday it was really windy, and they had to shut down the gondolas. The gondolas shut down whenever the winds are 30 mph or above. At the top of the mountain the wind was blowing around 60 mph. I really wish i could have stayed longer, and i cannot wait to go back next year. 

Nervous Conditions

    Nervous Conditions was captivating during chapters 6 and 7. The reason why is, in chapter 6 you go into Nyasha rebellion a little more. As Babamakuru would say Nyasha is not becoming a normal african women, but that she is considered a "whore". My personal opinion is, I was sort of disturb that a father would say those things about his daughter, and he hit her across the face, and say that she wanted her dead. The thing is we would not know if that was the usual in third world countries, the reason for that is we live in a first world country. 
   In chapter 7 we were introduced to two new characters Lucia, and Takesure. Whenever a woman marries a man in africa the women is inducted as i would say into the mans family. In this situation Lucia has stayed with her original family. Babamakuru thinks if they stay it will curse the family. As the chapter goes on Takesure says that Lucia needs to be outsmarted and she is a witch. It is interesting because Takesure has en-pregnanted Lucia. Also, another huge thing is pointed out is Tambu's mother treats Maiguru with complete disrespect, and she hates her for "killing" Nhamo. 


Tuesday- 60 minutes-Nervous Conditions
Friday- 30 minutes- Nervous Conditions
Saturday-50 minutes- Nervous Conditions
Sunday- 15 minutes- Nervous Conditions
Total=155 minutes

Nervous Conditions 2/Global Issues Paper

     This week i have been reading Nervous Conditions none stop. So far the book has been getting more interesting. At first the beginning was a little boring to read, but as the chapters progressed it got more interesting. We finally figured out how the brother died, but it was interesting how he died. The author told you that he had a pain in his neck but no one knew how he died they all thought he had mumps but that did not seem to be the case. That means Tambu has a chance to go to school at the Mission, and stay with Babamakuru. 
     Also throughout the week i have been working on my Global Issues paper which has not been taking up to much time. For today i will be working on all of the corrections that i was given on Turnitin.com from my peers. I am really glad this paper is going to be done on Tuesday. This paper has gone more smoothly than some of my other papers that we have done this year. 


Reading Log:
Tuesday(7)-90 minutes Nervous Conditions
Thursday(9)-90 minutes Nervous Conditions

Free Write: The Thief

       As you all must know by now is there is a thief around Episcopal High School. This happened not to long ago whenever i was in the sixth grade. It is pretty upsetting to some people because i know someone in my grade that gotten a $100 bill stolen out of her wallet just the other day. The most common places that the money has been stolen from has been the VPAC dressing room during 7th block, and the girls P.E. locker room. 
      Now from what i have heard from the dean of students, someones iPhone has gone missing as well. A personal experience that happened not to long ago, money was stolen out of my book-bag also. It was seven dollars i was happy that i did not have anymore on me, because it would have been really upsetting to come home and find that $20 has been stolen from me. Now i have learned my lesson on not carrying money with me during school hours, because you never know who will take your money. 

Third Quarter

      Third Quarter has been putting a lot of stress on everyone. I feel like third quarter is going to be the hardest because we are half way done with school, and the teachers know that we know what we are doing now. For example when we came back from break i thought we were just going to take it easy on the first day back, well i guessed wrong. I had a ton of homework whenever i got home! I thought it was a mistake. But now i have come to terms with it. I know how to manage my time better than ever. Also, I feel like i am able to do work to the best of my ability. 
     Now that it is third quarter i actually feel like a real high schooler. In the beginning i always felt like i was not suppose to be in high school, and i still felt like a middle schooler. Now i feel like i am a freshman. One reason is because we are doing our schedules for nest year! I cannot believe that time has already come. It just went by in a blink of an eye. 

Global Issues & Nervous Conditions

      This week i have kept on researching my Global Issue problem, which is Sexual Abuse in Thailand. It has been an eye opener these past weeks researching this topic. Is scary to think they anyone could kidnap you for sexual abuse. The ones that are closest to you are the cause for this terrible fate. It is also very sad because some women welcome this because they want to leave their lives of poverty and sorrow. So far the paper is coming along easier than i though it would. I am over half way done, and all of sources are blending wonderfully together. I cannot wait for you to read the outcome of my draft. 
     Nervous Conditions has been interesting so far. The first chapter was like a "butterfly in a hurricane" as we have said. Nothing really made sense they only thing that made sense to me was Zambu the narrator disliked her brother very much, and she was happy whenever her brother died. I did not understand why her brother could go to school, but she could not? It seemed like the brother did something terrible, and that is why he was taken away to go to school. I hope next week i will be able to get a better understanding of the book. 


Reading Log:
Thursday(2)-70 minutes of NC
Saturday(4)- 30 minutes Global Issues
Sunday(5)-120 minutes Global Issues

Free Write: My Weekend

       My weekend has turned out to be very eventful. On Friday i had track practice until 4:30, then i went home and laid around for a little while. Then, i was driven back to school, and i watched the soccer/basketball game. Which was really fun, but both lost. On saturday, I had a track meet all day, and i tried to get some homework done, but it was very difficult. The reason why was because everyone keep on cheering on their team. I have to admit the track meet was a ton of fun.
     Today my mom, sister, and I are all going to Mandeville for one of my old gymnastic coach's bridal shower. I have to admit i think this will be my funnest event of the weekend. The reason is because i get to see all of my old teammates that i have not seen in about 2 years. Then, after the bridal shower is over i will come back home, and finish the rest of my homework. 

Global Issues

      Instead of reading The Lost Hero this week, I have been working on my issue research paper. Which, is coming along okay. Sometimes, I just wish all of the information would just pop up right in front of my face. The hardest part i think about this process is sorting through all of the databases, and finding the right information. What i began to see in all of my information it was sort of all the same, which would not help me in the long run. 
     What i have decided to do this weekend is trying and find all of the information that is necessary. I have been successful so far, and i am going to keep finding all the information, so that i can get a grade that is what i deserve. 


Reading Log:
Tuesday: 60 minutes research 
Wednesday: 60 minutes research
Thursday:60 minutes research 
Total= 180 minutes

Free Write: Pinterest

       Pinterest is the coolest website ever invented. You can find any thing on there like foods, cars, DIY projects etc. They coolest thing is you cannot get bullied off of the website. What you do is you repin post or you pin your own post. And you fine the coolest stuff, but now they might close down Pinterest in the new law they are trying to pass. Also, Pinterest just opened its website at the beginning of the school year. So it would be a shame if it had to close down so quickly. 
       The new law that they are trying to pass would close down a ton of websites. I understand some websites should be closed down, but one that should not is Pinterest. It always keeps my attention and there a new things that pop up everywhere. Sometimes it is not that good that it keeps my interest so well. I hope in the end that everyone will try and save Pinterest because i do not know what i would do without Pinterest. 

The Lost Hero 2

         This week i kept on reading the book named The Lost Hero which has been an amazing book and i wish i had more free time so i could read it some more. Where i left off from my reading was on the part right before the quest Jason, Piper, Leo are about to leave for a quest that everyone has deemed suicidal. So they do not have very high hopes. Rick Riordan writing is better than ever. Actually i was surprised that this book has been so good because they things that i have noticed is that whenever an author keeps the series going, the books are not always that good. 


      And again the words he use i also know what they mean so i am not always asking like what does this mean? His writing is better than ever and i wish i could show you how good the writing was. I cannot wait for next week to tell you a little bit more about The Lost Hero.


Reading Log:
Saturday Jan. 21,2012- 150 minutes, Rick Riordan, 100 pages

Free Write: A World Without School

      A world without out school sounds pretty amazing, does it not? I always say I wish we did not have school, and how much easier my life would be. But would our lives be any easier? School can give a you a ton of opportunities if you just know how to capture those opportunities at the right time. Think about it would we even know how to do the simplest maths or sciences? Even though school is hard it is meant to benefit all in the long run.
     I get it sometimes whenever you just wish you didn't have to take that one class that might be bringing your GPA down to a 3.33, but you know in the end whenever you go to college and your friends have to take that class that made your GPA lower, and they are trying really hard just to pass that one class maybe you can help them because you have already passed that class. Also, how would you get a job would we all just be a home? Who knows, but we should all be thankful that we have a chance to become successful in whatever career we may pursue. 

The Lost Hero

       The Lost Hero, is an amazing book so far I could barley keep the book down. It is a sequel to the Percy Jackson series you would think that the series would be done, but I guess the author was not ready to end the series just yet. So far the book talked about a new kid named Jason, but he has lost all of his memory and he has been brought to Camp Half-Blood. It is very intriguing because sometimes he knows how to speak Latin, and he knows all of the monsters names. The thing that has left everyone sitting on their seats is that Percy Jackson has been missing, and no one has a clue about where he is.
      In the book I have noticed a couple of grammar mistakes, such as on one side of the quotation there is not a quote on one side. Also, I have noticed that there are a couple of comma splices, but I do not know if those were meant to be like that or not. But every sentence and paragraph have had many smooth transitions. I would love to recommend this book to anyone, because it is a wonderful book. 


Reading Log:
Monday Jan.9- 30 minutes
Wednesday Jan. 11- 100 minutes
Saturday Jan. 14- 20 minutes

 

Free Write: Facebook

        Facebook as you might know is kind of blogging, but in a different way. Facebook is really fun, if and only if you use it in the right way. This website could come to many disadvantages and advantages. One advantage that I have come across is that you are able to contact one of your friends even if you do not have their cellphone number or if they do not have a cellphone. Another is you can see how this one person is growing up, and you can tell everyone what you are doing or how you feel.

        But then, if you use Facebook in a bad way many consequences can come your way. For example if you create a new profile and have a secret name and you start bullying someone, then you could harm this person in a way that we cannot even know. In the worst cause that person you were bullying could commit suicide. Another disadvantage is if you give out personal information such as your address. We have heard stories before that someone put their address on Facebook some stalker came to their house and took them away. One disadvantage that is not so bad, but is still bad is that Facebook and is great for procrastinating as i can tell you from personal experience. So what i am trying to say is that always be careful when it comes to the internet.