Little Catch Up

     I probably will not have any readers for this blog post, or the next upcoming ones. I truly plan on continuing blogger. Starting this blog in 7th grade for class assignments truly made an impact on my writing style. Of course, Mrs. Larson, my teacher, was there to guide me and did so much more. Huge thank you for that. I want to enhance my writing and what better way to do that than practicing. I still have my mind set on becoming a journalist, therefore, this might be a good idea.

     When I graduated middle school I still kept in contact with my friends, for a while. We did lose contact eventually. We did not completely lose contact until I started summer school at Fenwick high school. One friend, she is an Irish dancer. I'm assuming from what I have seen on social media she is traveling the country performing her dancing. Another friend, went to Seattle as a camp trip. The rest, I'm not sure what they did but they probably were also busy. I, on the other hand, was also busy. Still am, actually. I had summer school and had many adventures that I would like to write about on another post.

     Throughout this whole entire summer I was doing something constantly. I was planning for my quinceañera. The traditional hispanic royal ball a young lady has when she turns 15. My family and I started the planning last year, but we still have a lot of last minute things to do. My quince will be held exactly on my birthday which I am excited about. One would think that planning this party is fun, and it is somewhat true. It can also be very stressful. What I am overall hopeful for is that my guests have a fun time and will forever remember my party.

     My summer has not only been filled with quince planning, but of course reading. Reading is just a constant hobby I will always do. The books I have read this summer is The Hobbit, a very famous read. I read this book with my dad since he took a small summer break from school. It was a good experience being able to have a discussion on a book with him. When I usually share facts about a book I am interested in to my parents, they get annoyed so they tell me to go do something. After The Hobbit, I read Papertowns by John Green. Just like any John Green book one can expect an unexpected surprised. No more will be said for spoiling purposes. Then there are two summer books that were assigned to me for school. I finished When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. I had a hard time starting this book because historical fiction is not my favorite genre. Right now I am starting Haroun and The Sea of Stories by Salman Otsuka. This book is starting off to be interestingly confusing. I've had other summer reads but I rather save those for separate blog posts.

     What I plan to do with this blog is branch out and write about anything. It'll just be a random blog with random topics. I hope to gain readers through Instagram, because that is where I would advertise my blog. Most people who follow me on there are bookworms, fangirls and fanboys. I know they would want reviews on books and I am more than happy to do it. :) Welcome to my blog! 👑

Final Reflection

     This year went by faster than I anticipated, but when other years are added in I say to myself, "Finally." Despite the fact that most people say "High School are the real years," I will miss Middle School. I will be honest, I won't miss my classes or students, but I will miss Mrs. Larson's Accelerated English Language Arts class. We were a group of students who are motivated to do well and have a future. Even though there may be some students who claim to just be "winging it," they are not. They truly care. Being part of this class made me feel part of a special group. Throughout the years in this class, an abundance of things has changed. We have become young adults and let me reflect on what made this transformation.

     One of the three most important things I learned this year is how to become a better writer. I used to be blinded by how I wrote. My sentences had more than one thought or maybe no complete thoughts at all. My sentences would be run-ons because of the commas I did not include. I learned how to write a proper, non-fragment sentence. Second, I learned how to write argumentative essays. This requires a lot of research and evaluation. One also needs to make sure their source is reliable. Third, I learned how to read. I mean it in the way that I was taught how to analyze text, and make predictions for what it means. My vocabulary also grew, so I have other books too.

     What I will remember for the rest of my life from this class, will probably be the class itself. All my classmates are smart and bright students that I will remember a lot of things. Everyone was nice to each other, that I know of. When we would do gallery walks, everyone presented themselves nicely and the comments made were nice too. Now that I put thought into it, we're a smart, nice, and bright class.

     The best piece of writing I have done this year would probably have to be the argumentative writing. It seemed easier that I expected it to be. All I had to do is gather a lot of research and write about it. The TKAM thematic essay was interesting too. I did not do as well as the argumentative writing on it, but the experience of writing TKAM was great. To Kill a Mockingbird was probably my favorite book we read the whole year.

     The advice I give to future students is simply not to procrastinate. There are several things in Mrs. Larson's class that is due at the end of the week. I found myself procrastinating and leaving everything for Thursday nights. Everything is due on Thursday, it was a rush hour. I was not the only one who procrastinated. It seemed almost everyone waited until Thursday. 7th and 8th graders of upcoming years please do not procrastinate. It is a virus that grows, but may get cured with hard work an determination.

     I have a passion for writing. I hope to become a journalist, or something close to that. I know, for sure, there is still a lot of improvement I need. I hope blogger can help me with that. Most students do not ant to continue their blogger, but I do. I hope a good amount of students continue blogger so I can see how they are in life. Therefore, this is NOT my last blog post. It is my last blog post for middle school. When middle school gets mentioned in my future, I think I will automatically think "Mrs. Larson's class." This class was a great first experience of literature. Thank you, Mrs. Larson.

Aphorism Project 5/11/15

"...there is no such thing as 'too late' in life." (p. 190)

     Morrie's main message through this aphorism is that no matter how much time has passed in one's own lifetime, they still have the ability to do anything. Morrie is trying to influence people to continue or start a new event.

     This aphorism could be related to me. I wish I heard something similar like this during the time I needed motivation to set things right. I said something to someone that hurt their feelings. It is strange how words could have so much power. I waited a good while to apologize, but when I finally did. The relationship between that person and I was never the same. Although, I did feel
much more relieved. This aphorism could also be related to my parents. My parents were not really given the chance to finish school and then have a job. Later in life, they continued their education because they are both passionate about it.

     I agree with this aphorism because no matter the regrets or age, there is always time to set things right in life or create memories in life. In other words, there is always enough time for anything. When one makes something out of a certain age, you have experienced that age well. Like Morrie said, "I am every age up to my own." One needs to make every age something as if there was never a "too late in life."

Tuesdays With Morrie - 4/27/15

Pages Read: 130-151

Author: Mitch Albom

     Throughout reading, my eyes opened to many things. All of these aphorisms and life lessons made me see the world differently. In my opinion, every Tuesday should be taken of great value. Although, there was a Tuesday that stood out to me the most. The fourth Tuesday "We talk about death" stood out to me the most. Death is something most of us are scared of. We all live in a constant fear of death but we all know it will eventually happen. I am very curious to know what happens after death. I have considered reincarnation. Although, we do not know for sure what happens. Despite my curiosity, I try not to concentrate on that too much. Based on my religion and background influences I just believe in what is expected of me. To me, this avoids confusion.

     As mentioned before we all know death is imminent. In this chapter Morrie states, "Everyone know they're going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently." What I think he means is that we would live life awake. Not in a "sleepwalking" manner. "We really don't experience the world fully, because we're half-asleep, doing things we automatically think are have to do." If we stop this habit we would all take life seriously and enjoy it. Basically, make the best of it. Morrie says by being prepared for death is better "that way you can actually be more involved with your life while living." We all have the ability to make our own lives special. We just have to be involved and interested in it.

     I found this Tuesday meaningful because I figured death would be a sensitive topic to discuss since Morrie is dying. Knowing the kind of person Morrie is, this topic is probably the best one to discuss about with him. When Morrie was in his sixties he told a friend, "I'm gonna be the healthiest old man you ever met!" Mitch notices him being optimistic. Morrie replies "Why not? Like I said no one really believes they're going to die." This shows that Morrie does not alienate himself from the world's sleepwalking. Morrie includes himself in it and admits it. That takes courage and shows how wise a balanced he is. Second this shows that, Morrie knows more that anyone that death is going to happen.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - 4/20/15

Prompt: Describe a character you would like to meet (which doesn't mean that you think you would like the character, but that you think the character would be interesting.)
Pages Read: 1-39
Author: Ransom Riggs

     Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children has been quite an intense book from the start. I am still in the beginning but I can sense some tension. Knowing that I am in the beginning of the book and that there are exactly 330 pages left, there is much more coming in my reading adventure. I am not deep into the book to say wether I am enjoying it. The characters do seem to be realistic. They each have such a strong personality that is is easy to predict what part they take in. Of course, there are 330 pages, so this book still has a strong chance of taking a mysterious and menacing twist.

     Despite the fact that there are still many characters to be discovered, a character I would like to meet is Grandpa Portman. In the prologue, the main character, Jacob describes his grandpa as wild. When Jacob was a young boy he would visit his grandpa, once in a while. He would love his visits because Grandpa Portman would tell him stories about monsters chasing him. Grandpa Portman has a lot of adventures with fighting and killing monsters, and of course, it sets bewilderment upon young Jacob. As Jacob grows up he starts doubting Grandpa Portman's stories. Jacob confronts to his dad about the "lies" he has been told. His dad says they are part true, and it leaves Jacob in a confusing stage. Later, Jacob learns that the monsters Grandpa Portman was talking about are Nazis. The Holocaust in somehow intertwined with this book. Again, I am in the beginning of the book but my prediction is that the Holocaust will most definitely be involved.

     Grandpa Portman seems like the type of character who is that crazy uncle most have. His defining characteristics are adventurous, crazy, and wise. To me, this seems like a well-rounded person. My whole life my dad has taught me to be a well-rounded person which education, athletics, hobbies, and family/friends. Grandpa Portman seems to value a lot of things although his opinions do not get in the way of other's. When Jacob confronted Grandpa Portman's stories saying straight forward, "I do not believe in your stories anymore." Grandpa Portman's reply was "Okay." There is also a mystery side to Grandpa Portman. I cannot exactly put my finger on it but it is quite obvious to the reader he knows something that the rest of the characters do not know. Maybe, just maybe, there are still an existence of monsters.

Life is Beautiful - 4/13/15

Prompt: Based on the Holocaust literature an poetry we have read, what connections can be made between Life is Beautiful and our reading? What events, scenes, or situations are similar or different? What is similar or different about the mood or tone of the pieces? How is life shown as beautiful throughout the film?

     There are a good amount of connections that can be made with the film and literature with poetry we have read. One of the major connections I can make involves poetry. When I was reading my classmate's assigned poetry for the Butterfly project, some poems connected life at a ghetto or concentration camp as something else. For example the poem would be a cover up for how life truly is, which is something tragic. In Life is Beautiful there was also a cover story line in it. This cover up is for Joshua. Everything was a game to Joshua which his father invented, something with a more positive then what is actually is. Another connection is between the movie and Night by Elie Wiesel. In Night the father and son bond starts when Elie's family gets separated. Before, Elie mentioned his dad being busy with his work. He would not make time for his children. After, it was just him and his dad working together fighting for their life. Although Joshua has no idea what is happening.

     Many of the poems ended with a depressing tone/mood and the book Night ended in a okay tone/mood for me. Life is Beautiful is definitely an opinionated ending. I am focusing more on the end because it is the overall conclusion. In Life is Beautiful humor is added but not the kind of humor that mocks the Holocaust which is appropriate for the film.

     In the beginning of Life is Beautiful  life is truly beautiful. Guido has an adventure and gets the girl. They get married and have a son. It is obvious that they had a beautiful life. Despite the fact that they were in the concentration camp life was still beautiful in a way. When Guido would send little messages to Dora to let her know he is alive that shows that their feelings for each other never ends. Guido's goal is also to have Dora and Joshua alive, which he achieved, therefore at the end life stays beautiful. Therefore, beautiful life has its flaws but stays beautiful.

Comments: Elenia, 

Night - 3/30/15

Pages Read: Finished
Author: Elie Wiesel

     Throughout this memoir there has been many changes in Elie physically and mentally. Although, one of the main changes the readers identifies is his strong faith in his religion. In the beginning we are introduced to how religious he is. When Elie is asked why he prays, it is told in the memoir, "Why did I pray? A strange question. Why did I live? Why did I breathe?" This shows that his prayer, which is his religion, is just as of importance as his own life. His belief is something that is included in his life. It is not until later Elie changes his thoughts.

     Elie's belief and faith takes a twist when his whole life style changes. When Elie and his dad arrive at the concentration camp they see many horrors before them. They witness various hangings, beatings, and other deaths of Jews. All these negative events happening to them specifically makes Elie question God, along with other's doing so. Some Jews completely lost faith. When other's in the concentration camp was praying to God, Elie thinks to himself, "Why should I bless his name? The eternal, lord of the universe, the all-powerful and terrible was silent..." The reader also notices Elie's disbelieve as he recalls back to what he is thinking, "Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust." This shows that Elie looks back to the moments when his point of view of God changes because of how terrifying these events were, and it is unforgettable.

   Another change throughout the memoir is Elie's relationship with his father. In the beginning Elie describes his father as an "unsentimental man." His father "rarely displayed his feelings, not even within his family, and was more involved with the welfare of others than with that of his own kin." Meaning, that his father was just a figure in his life. Later in the story, when Elie and his father were separated from the rest of their family, which are the females, they become closer. They both go through the same struggles together and are very inseparable.

     At the end Elie is trying to convince his father that they both must not fall asleep because they have to be aware of their surroundings. "I''l watch over you and you'll watch over me. We won't let each other fall asleep. We'll look after each other." This shows how Elie and his father has come close together until the very end. Although throughout the memoir there are parts that shows Elie Wiesel's loss of humanity.

"Night in the Ghetto" by Anonymous

comments: Abdiel, Emily, Diego, Gabe, and Julia

Night: 3/23/15

Prompt: Describe what was either believable or unbelievable in your reading. Defend your opinion.
Pages Read: 1-47
Author: Elie Wiesel
Translation editor: Marion Wiesel

     Throughout my reading some things took a while for them to settle in. The reason for this being is because some things are beyond terrible that I find it hard to believe. Of course, in a way I do believe them it just takes me a while to adjust to them. All this happened in real life. The fact that it actually happened takes it a while to settle in. If this book were to be fictional I would accept it faster because I know its fiction, fake. This book is not fake, it is real. The Holocaust was and still is a real deal because sit was the first major genocide.

     In the beginning of the book it is mentioned that babies are used as target practice. Moche the Beadle tells Wiesel everything he saw. Which includes shooting babies. "Infants were tossed in the air and used as targets for the machine guns." Why would someone want to kill babies when they barely had time of life? This was on of the things that seemed strange to me but later on I have considered this event true. Another event is when an inmate comes up to Elie Wiesel and asks him and his father for their age. After a small discussion back and forth the inmate forces them to accept their fake age. "'No.' The man now sounds angry. 'Not fifty. You're forty. Do you hear? Eighteen and forty." The reason they are given a different age is because if they are too young or too old they wi immediately be sent to the gas chambers. This I found shocking because they are not even given the chance to prove themselves.

     I find this whole situation hard to believe at first but then it sinks in. All I could really think of is how thankful I am that the Holocaust is over. Even though it does not pertain to me, I know if I were put in a Jew's shoes or any other Holocaust victim's shoes I would die of fear and pain.  

Holocaust AoW Impressions

     It is interesting to see how there are different topics on the Holocaust. The reason for this being, is because the Holocaust was something that left so many impacts in this World that created a HUGE impact all together. Descendants of Holocaust survivors have developed stressed disorders that that makes them feel unsafe. This shows how tragedies could leave fear upon us for many generations. Then there are new discoveries being made today about the Holocaust. More concentration camps have been discovered. For a long time it was 7 thousand camps, now it is 12 thousand camps. Many of the articles were about survivors. One survivor that caught my interest was a woman (do not know name) but she knows how close she was to death until she was informed about it. She went to a gas chamber thinking it was a shower, then just left because she thought the "showers" did not work. Descendants of Holocaust survivors are just thankful that they were born in this World. Also, how all this needs to be kept in memory.

     The discoveries of the camps surprises me because I thought there was nothing more to the Holocaust, but this proves that there may be more. The woman who walked out of the gas chambers alive made me scared for her. If I were her I know I would be very thankful to be alive, although I'm sure she is, everyone as a matter of fact. Learning about the different topics of the Holocaust from my peers gives me more of an inside scoop of how it was during this dark period. I am just glad that all this is over, but not completely. There are definitely still genocides out there, but hopefully they will soon resolve.