Blog #6 Reflection

While researching my essay,  I wasn't too confident considering my topic wasn't one mentioned so i knew it would be more difficult.  I felt good when I found accurate information.  This topic was a good one i thought because I am against stereotypes.  The web really helped with my paper.  Being able to look at the information in an organized manner was very convenient.  In future essays, I would do my prewriting earlier since I am a slacker. Peer editing was useful I thought because it gave another perspective on my essay.  A lot of good tips came from the peer editing excersice.  I have some good examples in my essay.  During my revision, I plan to use even more examples and cite all my sources.

Blog #5 Into the Wild Personal Response

I think Alex's philosophy is a good one.  Our world today is way to materialized and it takes away from what life is really about.  With the growing use of technology, we become more attached to things that many of us take for granted.  If we strip down to only our necessitties, we can actually live. In today's society though, the minimalist lifestyle would be difficult.  It seems that money makes the world go around.  Without money and more resources life would be hard.  You could last a while as a hitchhiker but in due time, you would die.

Serenidad en la naturaleza

Tome una respiración profunda, ¿qué sientes? Siento serenidad en todo mi cuerpo consciente. Trato de tomar un papel más bien reservada y absorber lo que me rodea. Es casi como si la naturaleza me habla. El canto de los pájaros parecen saber que todo va a estar bien mientras el viento me da sensaciones diferentes. Las hojas cayendo lentamente de los árboles muestran la naturaleza suave brisa de una tarde. Cuando el viento levanta su fuerza, todos los pensamientos se invierten. Esto es destructivo. Las plantas pequeñas temblar y tiembla la hierba. A su debido tiempo, todo se calma abajo y todo vuelve a ser tranquilo. Con esto en mente, creo que la madre naturaleza me está informando que los tiempos de tribulación pasará en tiempos de paz. Es sólo una cuestión de tiempo. A lo lejos, un avión se puede oír rugir a lo largo de la vasta, cielo infinito,. Un semi frenos se puede oír chillando. Esta no es una escena perfecta interrumpido. La hierba lentamente de verde a un amarillo vibrante embotamiento. El invierno se acerca rápidamente. Tengo una visión sensiblemente diferente de la naturaleza de cuando era joven ahora. Mis pensamientos están dañados y no tengo más dificultades para aceptar las cosas por su valor nominal. Muchas cosas deben ser cuestionadas. Nunca entendí por qué los humanos piensan que son superiores a otras formas de vida. Obviamente estamos más avanzados, pero ¿por qué sentimos la necesidad de destruir todo lo que se interponga en nuestro camino? Estar solo en la naturaleza me enseña cómo debería ser la vida. Todo está en el mismo plano. Serenidad en la naturaleza trae lo mejor de mí.

Serenity in Nature

Take a deep breath, what do you feel? I feel serenity throughout my conscious body.  I try to take a more reserved role though and absorb my surroundings. It's almost as if nature is speaking to me.  The chirping birds seem to let you know that everything is going to be all right whereas the wind gives me different sensations.  The leaves slowly falling from the trees show the gentle nature of an afternoon's breeze.  When the wind picks up its strength, all thoughts are reversed.  This is destructive.  The small plants shake and the grass trembles.  In due time, all calms down and everything is once again tranquil.  With that in mind, I think mother nature is informing me that times of trouble will transition into times of peace. It is only a matter of time. Off in the distance, an airplane can be heard roaring throughout the vast, endless, sky.  A semi's brakes can be heard squealing.  This is not a perfect interrupted scene.  The grass slowly changes from a vibrant green to a dulling yellow.  The winter is fast approaching.  I have a sensibly different view of nature from when i was young to now.  My thoughts are corrupted and I have a harder time accepting things for face value.  Many things must be questioned.  I never understood why humans think they are superior to other lifeforms.  Obviously we are more advanced, but why do we feel the need to destroy everything that gets in our way? Being alone in nature shows me how life should be.  Everything is on the same plane. Serenity in nature brings out the best in me.

Blog #3 Character Analysis (Act III)

Character: John Proctor

John Proctor is a major character. He is important to the story.  I would also call John dynamic.  He has an attitude change between Act I and Act II.  In the first part of the story, John seems very "chill" and in the second act, he is uptight and crabby. The conversations between him and Abigail show his anger.  I would also classify John as a romantic  hero due to Abigail's obsession with him. John is not quite a protagonist but he is valuable due to his opposing of witchcraft. He adds more drama to the story.

John's affair with Abigail fuels most of his tension with Elizabeth. She obviously feels hurt even though it's been seven months. That is made very clear by the way she mentions "adultery" to John while he ironically forgets that specific commandment.  Reverend Hale and Parris do not like how John doesn't support the witch trials.  John even went so far to say how he would be in a coalition against Parris if one did exist.  Joking or not, he doesn't beat around the bush.

John's conflicts would be described as man v. society.  He is going against the town and the crazy witch theories.  He strives to overcome this by speaking his mind and not giving in to pressure.  Even though he tries his best to show he's correct, in the end he will perish by hanging.

Blog #2 Response to "Sinners"

        Today at worship, Minister Edwards gave a frightening speech.  With me only being eight years old it was very scary.  The way I took it was that no matter what I do, I will never be good enough for God.  Also, I am almost guaranteed to perish in hell unless I receive the mercy of God.  When Minister Edwards said, "The pit is prepared" I took that as him saying god is the one who wants us to go to hell.  It seems like there is no way around it.  It was mentioned how God is angry.

        With God being angry, there is no hope.  I wish God could be loving and not mean.  This sermon makes me not trust God. I wish there wasn't a God at all! If I was heard saying that, I would be chastised to the fullest though.  With that said, God is frightening and I will never be good enough for him.

Entry #1... Writing and my thoughts on it

       When given the task of writing, many thoughts flow through my head.  The biggest question I have is whether or not I will finish on time. I try to get started as soon as possible to maximize the time I have.  Depending on the topic, I can write a strong paper or a weak one.  If the topic is something I'm not to fond of, I tend to not do as well.  With that said, a topic I am interested in usually ends with a good paper.  I'd like to think I am not to terrible at writing.  In class last year, I wrote a decently strong research paper on the "Legalization of Marijuana" which scored me an A.  Other papers I had written also scored high. With that said, my writing can obviously improve but I am capable decent work.

       I think I will do well on units where we read.  Units with writing will be more difficult.  I find it difficult to put my thoughts on to paper.  I tend to worry if my paper doesn't seem to have enough depth.  So hopefully this year, I will learn new writing techniques.  I was wondering about the portfolio assignment.  How many drafts of each paper will actually be required? Will each paper be worth a substanial amount?  Will the portfolio be worth something all together? How much will the portfolio impact my overall grade?