This is a music video that I found. It's by the Korean pop group "Super Junior", which consists of 13 members. I like this music video because of the dancing. I thought that their time was very good. I thought that it is fairly different from American music videos, although it does remind me slightly of 'N'SYNC and Backstreet Boys.
Twins (Knock Out) By Super Junior:
I thought that this video could represent how ideas flow around the world. About five years ago, this sort of music was the popular genre. But now that it's out of fad in America, it is now popular in the Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and China. I thought that this was interesting because of the question "What will influence them next?" I'm not sure what will be the next fad in other countries once they aren't as popular in America and other Western countries. But it will be interesting to observe.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
I also like Adah's last words in the chapter of the "Song of Three Children". She says, "Illusions mistake for truth are the pavement under our feet. They are what we call civilization" (532). After reading this, I agreed with Adah's observation. So many stereotypes are based on misunderstandings between cultures and different people. Also, beliefs are based on opinions, which do not always reconcile with the facts.
When Ruth May dies, I was surprised at first. But when I thought about it, there were reading patterns that hinted at her death fairly obviously. One such is how she makes references to reptiles and how she doesn't picture herself in her father's Christian heaven. Another is how her entries were filtered out as the book made more progress to Bel and the Serpent. As I looked back at her entries, I noticed that her character voice wasn't really maturing or changing. So that could also have been a pattern that hinted at her death.
I personally didn't like Rachel. After a while, her entries got extremely annoying, to the point where I entirely skipped her entries and just read her sisters' entries. But I did eventually go back and read her entries. I thought that she reminded me of one of my second grade classmates. When I tried to give her constructive criticism, she wouldn't take it and like Rachel's attitude, shut the door and ignore the things coming for her attention. (I haven't seen this classmate since then, but that's how I remember her—a younger version of Rachel.)
Leah, I have mixed feelings. I can identify with her—wanting to be independent, wanting to be just like her father, open minded— which puts me in favor of her. But when Ruth May died, and Leah could have saved her, I got mad at Leah. But when I reread that section, I thought that I was really mad at myself. I remember being in a situation in which I could have improved, but did nothing about it. Although I can't recall the details, I didn't do anything and the situation turned even worse. I think that anyone can identify with Leah's shock in a situation such as that. I think that I would be shocked numb if I witnessed my baby sister dying.
I really liked this book overall, even if I procrastinated at reading some of the sections. I think that the aspect of reading for class dimmed the light on it's 'reading glory'. But otherwise, I think that this would be in my top twenty of the my recently read list.
A Surprising Diary
I was organizing my desk today and found one of the many notebooks I had tried to start a diary in. I looked at the first page, expecting to read one of my rants. Instead, I found a diary introduction. Strangely, it addressed one of the themes in my English class ("What kind of world is this?"). This is what I wrote.
When I read what I wrote, I was actually surprised that I thought about this sort of topic. I was even more surprised that I even wrote my thoughts down. At the beginning of the second semester, when the questions "What kind of life is this? How should we live in it?", were presented to the class, I thought That is something that people don't normally thing about. But I think that this entry actually contradicted my assumption. Now, I think that the question theme isn't such an ambiguous theme.
This is my first diary entry in about thee years, so this entry may have a lot to talk about. But let me get this general idea a basic walk through. Life is never simple. Personally, I think that Life is fabricated of layers and layers that vary in degree of goodness, badness, mourning, and celebration. Life is generally viewed in two ways: the good and the bad. But it is never really one way or the other; It's never simple.
People throughout time have wondered 'Why are we here?' People have looked up to a higher being or persons or a god or multiple gods to explain why people exist. I remember in seventh grade, I was required to take a course in religion. One of the lessons the teacher taught was that God (the Christian God) put us down here because he loves us, the people. There has been so many ties since that lesson when I've wondered, 'Is there really some higher being out there?' My heritage, the Filipinos, is one of the two countries in Asia who has Christianity as their national religion, so my family is naturally Christian-Catholic. At least, to a certain point. I guess that there is a higher being out there, watching us. At Escrima, or the martial arts of the Filipinos, there is a command pronounced 'pamajé', which means 'pray'. Our head guru tells us that we should pray to whichever higher being it is we pray to. He says, "To whomever you pray to, whatever your religion is, just pray." He just says to pray; it doesn't have to be a good long prayer asking for something. It could just be a short thank you. But if yo listen to what I hear, and interpret his words the way I do, Guru implies that a person should pray to someone of a spiritual high being to at least thank him or her or them for life.
This long introduction brings me back to my initial statement and reason of these following entries. Life is never simple. As one reads along, though my experiences and thought, Life is never simple. There are always things that will make people wonder about things that are obvious and not obvious. Life is never simple because of the many views and options and possibilities that it could be viewed or experienced. I guess that is the general purpose in Life: to go through choices and feelings and thoughts, and to reflect and learn about what Life is meant to be.
When I read what I wrote, I was actually surprised that I thought about this sort of topic. I was even more surprised that I even wrote my thoughts down. At the beginning of the second semester, when the questions "What kind of life is this? How should we live in it?", were presented to the class, I thought That is something that people don't normally thing about. But I think that this entry actually contradicted my assumption. Now, I think that the question theme isn't such an ambiguous theme.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Myspace vs. Facebook
I had some time on my hands so I decided to create a Facebook account.
I know, it's another internet craze like Zanga or Myspace. But really, what is the difference?
I didn't have a Zanga account, but I did have a Myspace. I thought that it was a pretty good site. I reconnected with some old gymnastics friends I hadn't seen in years. I was able to personalize my page and put music on and all these other features. When I told my parents, they first became parentally concerned and made me do monthly check ups on my page. (This was when there was myspace 'horror stories' on the news.) After a while, they stopped... and so did the myspace craze.
Now the Facebook craze has begun and I just joined it. I think it's interesting and has its pros and cons as anything does. Instead of the myspace comments, Facebook has 'writings on (your friends)'s wall'. It also keeps record of what changes that were made to your account and what others did to your account (i.e. write on your wall, 'poke' you, add a new friend, etc.) I haven't got many facebook friends yet, but I'll see how it turns out compared to the myspace world.
I know, it's another internet craze like Zanga or Myspace. But really, what is the difference?
I didn't have a Zanga account, but I did have a Myspace. I thought that it was a pretty good site. I reconnected with some old gymnastics friends I hadn't seen in years. I was able to personalize my page and put music on and all these other features. When I told my parents, they first became parentally concerned and made me do monthly check ups on my page. (This was when there was myspace 'horror stories' on the news.) After a while, they stopped... and so did the myspace craze.
Now the Facebook craze has begun and I just joined it. I think it's interesting and has its pros and cons as anything does. Instead of the myspace comments, Facebook has 'writings on (your friends)'s wall'. It also keeps record of what changes that were made to your account and what others did to your account (i.e. write on your wall, 'poke' you, add a new friend, etc.) I haven't got many facebook friends yet, but I'll see how it turns out compared to the myspace world.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Gymnastics
When I was younger, I grew up in club gymnastics for Aloha Gymnastics World (commonly known as Aloha/AGW). Around sixth grade, I stopped gym and I declared that I wasn't going to do anymore gymnastics. Well, I proved myself wrong around eighth grade. I was at a new school and wasn't very outgoing. My mom suggested for me to do ILH gymnastics for the school. At first, I didn't want to. But I remembered that a lot of my friends from Aloha did it. So if I did it, I would be able to keep in touch with them better. So I went and 'represented' my school and did ILH.
Since then, I've been in ILH gymnastics, not quite willing to renounce all of my gymnastics abilities. Now, I'm a varsity member, although it's not a very big deal. A lot of my friends are in this group, so it almost feels like old times. I think that a person can never truly leave their roots. I've experienced it through gymnastics. Many of my favorite skills are still with me and help me along in my primary sport, diving.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Show Finale
Wow, I haven't made a post in a while. I think that this was a personal discipline problem and lack of ideas of what to write. Anyways, I'm back and I'll be making more posts now.
This past Thursday was the finale of the Korean show Pure in Heart. It had such a happy ending. MH approves of Gukhwa, at first due to publicity pressure. But after Gukhwa and Yunhu get married, MH approves of Gukhwa due to unasked favors Gukhwa performs for MH. DK and MH make up and act more like a couple. (They fought a lot over petty things...)
Ugyeong (a college buddy of Yunhu's and older-brother-like figure to Gukhwa) and Yunjeong (Yunhu's younger sister) are married and have twin boys. Ugyeong also takes over his grandfather's tailor shop.
The show officially ends when the creators show the families one year later. Gukhwa is seven months pregnant and Yunhu is really happy. Gukhwa also becomes a college student. (She is ten years younger than Yunhu, and didn't have enough money to go to college immediately after high school.) Ugyeong and Yunjeong are proud parents of twins who are 100 days old. Ugyeong's tailor shop is flourishing and his younger sister is dating a good guy. (Earlier in the show, Ugyeong's sister was having a lot of boy problems.) MH also gives her cooking class company to her son-in-law (who loves to cook).
All in all, a happy ending. Here's the link to epilogue part of the show if anyone wants to watch:
I think that every story can have a happy ending, only some turn out better than others. Change in every character is imminent and maybe obligatory in every story. And depending on how the characters change, the ending changes also.
This past Thursday was the finale of the Korean show Pure in Heart. It had such a happy ending. MH approves of Gukhwa, at first due to publicity pressure. But after Gukhwa and Yunhu get married, MH approves of Gukhwa due to unasked favors Gukhwa performs for MH. DK and MH make up and act more like a couple. (They fought a lot over petty things...)
Ugyeong (a college buddy of Yunhu's and older-brother-like figure to Gukhwa) and Yunjeong (Yunhu's younger sister) are married and have twin boys. Ugyeong also takes over his grandfather's tailor shop.
The show officially ends when the creators show the families one year later. Gukhwa is seven months pregnant and Yunhu is really happy. Gukhwa also becomes a college student. (She is ten years younger than Yunhu, and didn't have enough money to go to college immediately after high school.) Ugyeong and Yunjeong are proud parents of twins who are 100 days old. Ugyeong's tailor shop is flourishing and his younger sister is dating a good guy. (Earlier in the show, Ugyeong's sister was having a lot of boy problems.) MH also gives her cooking class company to her son-in-law (who loves to cook).
All in all, a happy ending. Here's the link to epilogue part of the show if anyone wants to watch:
I think that every story can have a happy ending, only some turn out better than others. Change in every character is imminent and maybe obligatory in every story. And depending on how the characters change, the ending changes also.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Change. Connecting with a Show
I like Korean dramas/soap operas. The show that I'm watching now is called "Pure In Heart". It's about a girl (Gukhwa) and how she falls in love with this guy (Yunhu) and how his parents don't approve of their relationship.
This is the show's "cover picture":
In the more recent episodes,the parents finally approved of their relationship and agreed to their son's wish to marry her. The father (DK) is more willing because he observed them during work (—Yunhu works for DK's company and Yunhu hired Gukhwa as his secretary as a bargaining price to work for DK). But the mother (MH) seems entirely against it because of her background.
As the season goes on, MH seems to secretly like Gukhwa and doesn't want to admit it. The way I see it, MH doesn't want any change to her life and doesn't want to share any attention with Gukhwa. I think that if MH gets along with Gukhwa more, she'll get equal amount of attention and maybe in better light because it might make up for all of the things that she did to Gukhwa.
I think that sometimes people who don't want to change miss out on things and possibilities that could open a new world to them. That new world may have negative aspects in them, but every sort of world has at least some positive aspects that will please everyone to a certain extent, even though it may not always be apparent.
This is the show's "cover picture":
In the more recent episodes,the parents finally approved of their relationship and agreed to their son's wish to marry her. The father (DK) is more willing because he observed them during work (—Yunhu works for DK's company and Yunhu hired Gukhwa as his secretary as a bargaining price to work for DK). But the mother (MH) seems entirely against it because of her background.
As the season goes on, MH seems to secretly like Gukhwa and doesn't want to admit it. The way I see it, MH doesn't want any change to her life and doesn't want to share any attention with Gukhwa. I think that if MH gets along with Gukhwa more, she'll get equal amount of attention and maybe in better light because it might make up for all of the things that she did to Gukhwa.
I think that sometimes people who don't want to change miss out on things and possibilities that could open a new world to them. That new world may have negative aspects in them, but every sort of world has at least some positive aspects that will please everyone to a certain extent, even though it may not always be apparent.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
A Flight to Somewhere
Yesterday, my brother returned from his spring break trip to Washington DC and New York, NY with his school. It seemed that he had fun, which I had hoped. He didn't get me many things for souvenirs, but got me something at least. He got as many National Holocaust Museum pamphlets about people who were involved in the Holocaust and their stories. He also saved the playbill for the Broadway production of The Lion King. He also got me some jewelry trinkets.
Now, generally, I don't like jewelry trinkets. But I told myself that I'd be willing to change so I can appreciate his gifts better. This sort of change will be slightly difficult for me because I'm not used to wearing jewelry. But, I will adjust my attitude to the situation to better myself. thus willing to this change. I hope that this will able me to take other situations in the better light in the future.
Now, generally, I don't like jewelry trinkets. But I told myself that I'd be willing to change so I can appreciate his gifts better. This sort of change will be slightly difficult for me because I'm not used to wearing jewelry. But, I will adjust my attitude to the situation to better myself. thus willing to this change. I hope that this will able me to take other situations in the better light in the future.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Movie Review
Recently, a friend of mine let me watch this Korean drama movie. The original language is Korean, and not wanting to ruin the original feeling of the movie, I watched it with English subtitles. It's called "The Classic". The title fits because there are so many clichés in the movie. It's about a girl who is having boy problems. (Her best friend likes the same guy and makes her write love letters to the guy.) At the same time, she's reading the diary of her mother's first love, whose situation was very similar to her own.
Although a movie with a lot of clichés would be not very good, it sort of made the essence of the movie. You could predict what the characters would do or what was going to happen next, which sort of made it funny.
While I took the first semester of English over summer, my teacher constantly said, "Don't use clichés." It's hard to, but sometimes that's the only way to get to the point. I thought that it was interesting to put many clichés together in a pack. I don't think that I've seen anybody use that many clichés all at once, which made the movie pretty unique.
Here's the DVD cover:
Although a movie with a lot of clichés would be not very good, it sort of made the essence of the movie. You could predict what the characters would do or what was going to happen next, which sort of made it funny.
While I took the first semester of English over summer, my teacher constantly said, "Don't use clichés." It's hard to, but sometimes that's the only way to get to the point. I thought that it was interesting to put many clichés together in a pack. I don't think that I've seen anybody use that many clichés all at once, which made the movie pretty unique.
Here's the DVD cover:
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Video Explinations
Recently I've posted two videos that are just plain stupid. They're funny, but just stupid. After I thought about my changes to the page, I realized that I didn't specify any real reason for posting those two videos.
After some thought, I was able to connect the videos to my freedom essential question. I thought that these videos are from YouTube, the popular video site. Their slogan is "Broadcast Yourself". This slogan could be interpreted as "Express Yourself". A person has the freedom to post videos of many kinds that could be any length in time. I've seen some videos originating from France, New York, Sanfransico, Japan, China, and Korea. The videos ranged in many topics. One of the videos were used by my French teacher to see what is happening in France. The video from Japan was a talk show event with English subtitles. The videos from China and Korea were drama excerpts also with English subtitles.
Although I do not know why I posted these particular videos, I think that YouTube is another gateway a person can use to find a sort of freedom.
After some thought, I was able to connect the videos to my freedom essential question. I thought that these videos are from YouTube, the popular video site. Their slogan is "Broadcast Yourself". This slogan could be interpreted as "Express Yourself". A person has the freedom to post videos of many kinds that could be any length in time. I've seen some videos originating from France, New York, Sanfransico, Japan, China, and Korea. The videos ranged in many topics. One of the videos were used by my French teacher to see what is happening in France. The video from Japan was a talk show event with English subtitles. The videos from China and Korea were drama excerpts also with English subtitles.
Although I do not know why I posted these particular videos, I think that YouTube is another gateway a person can use to find a sort of freedom.
Monday, February 26, 2007
A Love Poem
I found my sister browsing ametuer poem writers and their pieces of work. This isn't the best piece of work, but I liked this poem.
I love the way you smile,
I would sit around and wait awhile.
I love the way you always look,
Our love is like a fairytale in one of those books.
I love the way you shine,
I like knowing the fact you are all mine.
I love hearing your voice everyday,
Around you, I never run out of things to say.
I love looking into your eyes,
When you’re not around all I can do is let out sighs.
I love being kissed by you,
I know my love for you is very true.
I love being there right by your side,
I cant wait for that day when I will be your bride.
I love how we are never apart,
You will always be right here in my heart.
I love the way you hold me,
I love listening to every single one of your stories.
I love everything about you,
Most importantly, I Love You!!!!!
(Anonymous)
I don't know why I liked this poem. Initially, this poem is a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship sort of tone. But if thought about it, this could slightly be applied to a sibling relationship. I think that to say "I Love You" is to say "I am loyal to you, will help you out in anyway possible, and I admire you for something." I can't really elaborate on this thought right now for some reason. But maybe I'll elaborate this later.
Poetry. Another way for any person can express themselves. I think it could be thought of as the more conventional way. A writer doesn't have to worry about general grammar that rules over paragraph/paper writing. They can have double or hidden meanings in their poem as a whole or by lines, stanzas, or words. Ironic, my current thought: a poet has more structural freedom. Maybe it can be thought of as the Romantic music era when compared to essay writing (if this is thought of as the Classical era)—there is more feeling without restraint of complete or run-on sentences.
Right now, I'm repeating myself. I'll leave it as that.
I love the way you smile,
I would sit around and wait awhile.
I love the way you always look,
Our love is like a fairytale in one of those books.
I love the way you shine,
I like knowing the fact you are all mine.
I love hearing your voice everyday,
Around you, I never run out of things to say.
I love looking into your eyes,
When you’re not around all I can do is let out sighs.
I love being kissed by you,
I know my love for you is very true.
I love being there right by your side,
I cant wait for that day when I will be your bride.
I love how we are never apart,
You will always be right here in my heart.
I love the way you hold me,
I love listening to every single one of your stories.
I love everything about you,
Most importantly, I Love You!!!!!
(Anonymous)
I don't know why I liked this poem. Initially, this poem is a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship sort of tone. But if thought about it, this could slightly be applied to a sibling relationship. I think that to say "I Love You" is to say "I am loyal to you, will help you out in anyway possible, and I admire you for something." I can't really elaborate on this thought right now for some reason. But maybe I'll elaborate this later.
Poetry. Another way for any person can express themselves. I think it could be thought of as the more conventional way. A writer doesn't have to worry about general grammar that rules over paragraph/paper writing. They can have double or hidden meanings in their poem as a whole or by lines, stanzas, or words. Ironic, my current thought: a poet has more structural freedom. Maybe it can be thought of as the Romantic music era when compared to essay writing (if this is thought of as the Classical era)—there is more feeling without restraint of complete or run-on sentences.
Right now, I'm repeating myself. I'll leave it as that.
Another Funny Video
This is yet another video showing lack of commonsense... especially when boredom takes over your senses.
It will go bang!
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It will go bang!
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A Funny Video...
This video just shows that everyone can lose their commonsense sometime or another...
How Not to Light A Bonfire
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How Not to Light A Bonfire
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Qualities
And now to contradict my previous post: My Qualities:
I'm dedicated to the things I like to do.
I love and protect my family.
I'm a hard worker.
I use my imagination a lot.
I like to learn.
I'm dedicated to the things I like to do.
I love and protect my family.
I'm a hard worker.
I use my imagination a lot.
I like to learn.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Faults
This post was actually inspired by a post on "Don't Ever Stop Chewing"'s blog.
My Faults:
My eyes never cooperate with my contacts, especially when needed most.
I live in a world blurred by book stories and reality.
I've a temper that erupts like a volcano (cliché =P)when tampered with.
I procrastinate (especially with homework).
((Just listing what I think are my faults.))
My Faults:
My eyes never cooperate with my contacts, especially when needed most.
I live in a world blurred by book stories and reality.
I've a temper that erupts like a volcano (cliché =P)when tampered with.
I procrastinate (especially with homework).
((Just listing what I think are my faults.))
Facing Fears
Although this is sort of old news, I hit the board during diving practice the night before the ILH champs (2007). It was on my scariest dive (reverse 1 1/2 somersault tuck position). I wasn't doing my basic dive of that category very well (I as getting too close to the board), which of course got my harder dive in that category sort of screwed up. I was out of the practice for the night and had to go to Tripler. Out of a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest of pain, I rated it as a 9 3/4. (I always compare my accidents and pain ratings to my fourth grade scooter accident, which of course was a 10.) I was at the hospital until about 10:30. Luckily, no broken fingers.
While I was waiting at the hospital, I was sort of wishing that my fingers WERE broken. As I thought about it, I scolded myself for being a pessimistic. As I thought more about it, I realized that I was going to have to face my reverse 1 1/2 dive sooner or later. I decided later since I couldn't even hold a pencil and write correctly.
But when I got to the ILH champs, the MC, his wife, my mom, my coaches, my brother, my sister (everybody) wanted me to dive. Being the obedient girl, I dove and won the champs.
At the time, I was resentful of everybody and even gave a glare at my brother who was filming me during the meet. (Luckily, it wasn't recorded.) The following days, I didn't feel much better. My dad even said, "You don't look happy with yourself." I wasn't—I listened to the crowd and did what I was told, which I don't like to do. But later, I felt foolish for feeling scared about the dive and freaking out about bruised fingers. (Wally and the Serai's [the MC and his wife] were telling me how all of these great Olympic divers dove and won while injured with worse injuries.)
But now, I don't know what to think about it. My mind can see both ways on the issue, and dealt with the fear. (I still don't like my reverse 1 1/2 and am still scared about hitting the board.) I keep changing my mind about it and I'm still confused. I don't know if I'll ever make up my mind about this issue.
But I know that I have to move on from this fear. (Wally always says, "Don't put emotion into your diving. Don't dwell a mistake. The past is the past. Move on.") I won't get better at diving if I'm scared of a dive. So right now, I'm just going to tuck it in the back folds of my mind and face my fear head on... when diving season starts again.
While I was waiting at the hospital, I was sort of wishing that my fingers WERE broken. As I thought about it, I scolded myself for being a pessimistic. As I thought more about it, I realized that I was going to have to face my reverse 1 1/2 dive sooner or later. I decided later since I couldn't even hold a pencil and write correctly.
But when I got to the ILH champs, the MC, his wife, my mom, my coaches, my brother, my sister (everybody) wanted me to dive. Being the obedient girl, I dove and won the champs.
At the time, I was resentful of everybody and even gave a glare at my brother who was filming me during the meet. (Luckily, it wasn't recorded.) The following days, I didn't feel much better. My dad even said, "You don't look happy with yourself." I wasn't—I listened to the crowd and did what I was told, which I don't like to do. But later, I felt foolish for feeling scared about the dive and freaking out about bruised fingers. (Wally and the Serai's [the MC and his wife] were telling me how all of these great Olympic divers dove and won while injured with worse injuries.)
But now, I don't know what to think about it. My mind can see both ways on the issue, and dealt with the fear. (I still don't like my reverse 1 1/2 and am still scared about hitting the board.) I keep changing my mind about it and I'm still confused. I don't know if I'll ever make up my mind about this issue.
But I know that I have to move on from this fear. (Wally always says, "Don't put emotion into your diving. Don't dwell a mistake. The past is the past. Move on.") I won't get better at diving if I'm scared of a dive. So right now, I'm just going to tuck it in the back folds of my mind and face my fear head on... when diving season starts again.
A Reflection on Robert Pirsig’s essay excerpt of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Recently, we’ve read an excerpt of Robert Pirsig’s essay Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The excerpt topic is ‘stuckness’.
I liked this essay after some decryption of what the essay was trying to say. I thought that it was interesting how Pirsig calls this topic ‘stuckness’ instead of something else. After reading this excerpt, I thought that Pirsig was trying to go a complicated way of saying “think out of the box”. His arguments make sense, if not the confusing wording (at least for a sophomore student). His example of the screw in the motorcycle was actually sort of funny because of what he records as the general human train of thought—it makes sense in a common sort of way. I also like his word choice in how he tries to emphasize his meaning; “You’re stuck. Terminated. It’s absolutely stopped you from fixing the motorcycle. …. This is the zero moment of consciousness. Stuck. No answer. Honked. Kaput.” (Pirsig, chapter 24) Another thing I thought that was interesting was how Pirsig uses made up words to try to help explain his point. For example, he uses the word “commonest” to emphasize how a broken motorcycle (in an analogy view), or (in the essay idea flow) getting mentally stuck is not something you see a lot. Maybe it could be another way to help explain the idea/notion to think out of the box. I also liked his ‘parts of a train’ examples (Classic vs. Romantic). When I first read this, I didn’t understand where the names of Classic vs. Romantic came from. But as we did a Harkness discussion in class, I threw out the possibility that it could be the parallel to the music eras in history. My teacher, Mr. Schauble, liked that thought and organized a lot of the ideas under those two categories. So I thought that was cool.
I liked this essay after some decryption of what the essay was trying to say. I thought that it was interesting how Pirsig calls this topic ‘stuckness’ instead of something else. After reading this excerpt, I thought that Pirsig was trying to go a complicated way of saying “think out of the box”. His arguments make sense, if not the confusing wording (at least for a sophomore student). His example of the screw in the motorcycle was actually sort of funny because of what he records as the general human train of thought—it makes sense in a common sort of way. I also like his word choice in how he tries to emphasize his meaning; “You’re stuck. Terminated. It’s absolutely stopped you from fixing the motorcycle. …. This is the zero moment of consciousness. Stuck. No answer. Honked. Kaput.” (Pirsig, chapter 24) Another thing I thought that was interesting was how Pirsig uses made up words to try to help explain his point. For example, he uses the word “commonest” to emphasize how a broken motorcycle (in an analogy view), or (in the essay idea flow) getting mentally stuck is not something you see a lot. Maybe it could be another way to help explain the idea/notion to think out of the box. I also liked his ‘parts of a train’ examples (Classic vs. Romantic). When I first read this, I didn’t understand where the names of Classic vs. Romantic came from. But as we did a Harkness discussion in class, I threw out the possibility that it could be the parallel to the music eras in history. My teacher, Mr. Schauble, liked that thought and organized a lot of the ideas under those two categories. So I thought that was cool.
This I Believe...
I believe in freedom. I think that freedom can help a person accept who they are by letting that person express themselves in ways suitable to them, giving them self-confidence. If a person is taken away their freedom, then their confidence can be broken.
With freedom, people can express their feelings, their thoughts about a situation, and in essence, express themselves. Some people do this through song. Others gain freedom through sports, writing, or art. For me, I like to write from my imagination. Through this, I gain freedom and self-confidence of my imagination and myself.
Although many people believe that freedom is generally physical, such as freedom from jail or maybe slavery, I believe that it is more spiritual. The physical aspect of freedom may help the spiritual and psychological aspect of freedom, I’m sure. But ultimately, freedom is made of thoughts and spiritual participation.
I believe that any and every person can achieve and find freedom. It may be hard to find, but people will find freedom for themselves someday or another. Even if this freedom is not fully attainable, if a person can just find a small part of freedom, and are able to express themselves just a small bit, then that person has found enough freedom to satisfy their current situation and encourage them to find other ways of expressing themselves and gaining freedom in other ways than one.
With freedom, people can express their feelings, their thoughts about a situation, and in essence, express themselves. Some people do this through song. Others gain freedom through sports, writing, or art. For me, I like to write from my imagination. Through this, I gain freedom and self-confidence of my imagination and myself.
Although many people believe that freedom is generally physical, such as freedom from jail or maybe slavery, I believe that it is more spiritual. The physical aspect of freedom may help the spiritual and psychological aspect of freedom, I’m sure. But ultimately, freedom is made of thoughts and spiritual participation.
I believe that any and every person can achieve and find freedom. It may be hard to find, but people will find freedom for themselves someday or another. Even if this freedom is not fully attainable, if a person can just find a small part of freedom, and are able to express themselves just a small bit, then that person has found enough freedom to satisfy their current situation and encourage them to find other ways of expressing themselves and gaining freedom in other ways than one.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Diving
I am a varsity diver for my high school team. I think I have done a very good job so far in my "career" in diving. I've won three ILH school Diving Championships (Intermediate in 7th, JV in 9th, and Varsity in 10th), placed in the top five for last year's state championships, and am making constant improvement in my diving. My current coach, Wally Nakamoto, is constantly using metaphors and tells us many sayings during practice. I think that they're supposed to motivate the team to do better. Although his sayings don't really motivate me to be better, I think that his most meaningful quote is; "You see, diving is not just diving—it builds character and it will take you places."
I would have to agree with this constant saying. I think that it does build character. Diving can help build personal dignity or carriage for a coach or diver. In the diving seasons I've been with Wally, he remarks on how a diver looks on the board—shoulders back, chin up in confidence, stomach in and tight butt for elegance—and how all of this can be carried over into a diver's activities out of the pool. He also talks about how confidence in the pool carries over into school and other activities. I would agree with him. Personally, if I feel happy about my diving for a practice or meet, I feel noticeable happier and perky, I guess. That's from personal experience. I think this saying could be applied to any and other sports too.
I guess what Wally tries to say is that what you do in one "arena of life" will carry into another and maybe more than one aspect of a person's life.
I would have to agree with this constant saying. I think that it does build character. Diving can help build personal dignity or carriage for a coach or diver. In the diving seasons I've been with Wally, he remarks on how a diver looks on the board—shoulders back, chin up in confidence, stomach in and tight butt for elegance—and how all of this can be carried over into a diver's activities out of the pool. He also talks about how confidence in the pool carries over into school and other activities. I would agree with him. Personally, if I feel happy about my diving for a practice or meet, I feel noticeable happier and perky, I guess. That's from personal experience. I think this saying could be applied to any and other sports too.
I guess what Wally tries to say is that what you do in one "arena of life" will carry into another and maybe more than one aspect of a person's life.
Theme Brainstorming— A Fantasy in Making
Currently, I am writing a free write story for my own entertainment. I’ve been writing since the Tuesday before school started and have about five chapters completed and other major scenes in the making. The story is about a young girl who fits the profile of a prophecy and has to find a missing gem to prevent chaos and havoc spreading across the entire world.
There are many interesting scenes that give the main character, Lunesca, the personality of a tomboy in a mideval fantasy setting trying to find someplace where she can fit in. I also placed some scenes that also give Lunesca sort of a separate part of her personality that is buried deep within herself. So there are many things I still need to think about to give the story a consistant theme or story pattern that a reader may be able to follow and understand.
One of the things I thought about including in the story was a prince falling in love with Lunesca. This idea was actually a theme borrowed from a book I read over the summer. I thought that this would eventually help recover that separate part of her personality. Another scene included in the story is how Lunesca almost gets raped while fleeing from danger. I thought that this would reinforce the theme of a persona of more feminine quality buried within her because of difficult events of her past when she presented her feminine qualities more openly. I thought that if she were more exposed to the masculine side of a person, the feminine side of her would be cast aside because Lunesca thinks that women are weaker in personality, but strong at the same time. By having this opinion, I am trying to incorporate the notion that Lunesca would try to prove to herself and others in her life that women can also be strong even if they are generally thought inferior to men in society.
Another important theme I thought about incorporating was how Lunesca deals with relationships between different people. Early in the book, Lunesca talks about how her father was distant from her and her second oldest brother. This would maybe show Lunesca that not all relationships may be worth trying to strenthen because when she tried to strengthen her relationship with her father, the father-daughter relationship did not improve. Another failed relationship was between a young man named Eyvind. Lunesca and Eyvind are supposed to be great friends. Eyvind was supposed to be part of the expidition accompanying Lunesca’s group, but Eyvind dies early in the expidition. So this relationship may show Lunesca that her personal relationships may not be worth to strengthen because of the dangers in the life she leads.
There are many interesting scenes that give the main character, Lunesca, the personality of a tomboy in a mideval fantasy setting trying to find someplace where she can fit in. I also placed some scenes that also give Lunesca sort of a separate part of her personality that is buried deep within herself. So there are many things I still need to think about to give the story a consistant theme or story pattern that a reader may be able to follow and understand.
One of the things I thought about including in the story was a prince falling in love with Lunesca. This idea was actually a theme borrowed from a book I read over the summer. I thought that this would eventually help recover that separate part of her personality. Another scene included in the story is how Lunesca almost gets raped while fleeing from danger. I thought that this would reinforce the theme of a persona of more feminine quality buried within her because of difficult events of her past when she presented her feminine qualities more openly. I thought that if she were more exposed to the masculine side of a person, the feminine side of her would be cast aside because Lunesca thinks that women are weaker in personality, but strong at the same time. By having this opinion, I am trying to incorporate the notion that Lunesca would try to prove to herself and others in her life that women can also be strong even if they are generally thought inferior to men in society.
Another important theme I thought about incorporating was how Lunesca deals with relationships between different people. Early in the book, Lunesca talks about how her father was distant from her and her second oldest brother. This would maybe show Lunesca that not all relationships may be worth trying to strenthen because when she tried to strengthen her relationship with her father, the father-daughter relationship did not improve. Another failed relationship was between a young man named Eyvind. Lunesca and Eyvind are supposed to be great friends. Eyvind was supposed to be part of the expidition accompanying Lunesca’s group, but Eyvind dies early in the expidition. So this relationship may show Lunesca that her personal relationships may not be worth to strengthen because of the dangers in the life she leads.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Finding a Writer's Song
Over the course of our recent classes, Mr. Schauble has had the themes of quality and 'finding a writer's song'. We read the poem "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats. After we left class, I thought about how the metal/alternative group Evanescence would compare to this theme and how it could relate to John Keats' poem.
I thought that maybe Evanescence would be a group that sort of recreates the feeling of John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale". This would apply especially to their song called "Lithium".
(Here are the lyrics)
Lithium
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow.
Oh, but God, I want to let it go.
Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone.
Couldn't hide the emptiness, you let it show.
Never wanted it to be so cold.
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me.
I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me.
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow.
Don't want to let it lay me down this time.
Drown my will to fly.
Here in the darkness I know myself.
Can't break free until I let it go.
Let me go.
Darling, I forgive you after all.
Anything is better than to be alone.
And in the end I guess I had to fall.
Always find my place among the ashes.
I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me.
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, ...stay in love with my sorrow.
I'm gonna let it go.
In "Ode to a Nightingale", John Keats creates the feeling that the world has a gloomy look from the speaker's point of view. The chorus of "Lithium" may demonstrate this feeling. Also in both pieces, the writers demonstrate their attempt to 'fly away' and be free of their gloomy world. But in the end, they fail. Also, in their attempt to get free of their gloomy world, they create their "bird song" as Mr. Schauble would put it. Both writers make a good piece of work that expresses their thoughts about the world how they are living in it. The music background in Lithium reinforces this theme when compared to Ode to a Nightingale.
I thought that maybe Evanescence would be a group that sort of recreates the feeling of John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale". This would apply especially to their song called "Lithium".
(Here are the lyrics)
Lithium
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow.
Oh, but God, I want to let it go.
Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone.
Couldn't hide the emptiness, you let it show.
Never wanted it to be so cold.
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me.
I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me.
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow.
Don't want to let it lay me down this time.
Drown my will to fly.
Here in the darkness I know myself.
Can't break free until I let it go.
Let me go.
Darling, I forgive you after all.
Anything is better than to be alone.
And in the end I guess I had to fall.
Always find my place among the ashes.
I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me.
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, ...stay in love with my sorrow.
I'm gonna let it go.
In "Ode to a Nightingale", John Keats creates the feeling that the world has a gloomy look from the speaker's point of view. The chorus of "Lithium" may demonstrate this feeling. Also in both pieces, the writers demonstrate their attempt to 'fly away' and be free of their gloomy world. But in the end, they fail. Also, in their attempt to get free of their gloomy world, they create their "bird song" as Mr. Schauble would put it. Both writers make a good piece of work that expresses their thoughts about the world how they are living in it. The music background in Lithium reinforces this theme when compared to Ode to a Nightingale.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Poem Excersise Reflection
In English, our teacher, Mr. Schauble, made the class write a poem in three minutes. For this, I wrote the beginning of a simple poem I am still working on called 'Silence'. Then he made us write another poem from a different point of view. So if the first poem was happy, then the next poem was supposed to be dark and moody. So I made my next poem have an objective opinion since the first poem was a neutral voice. So I wrote this:
Graffitti:
Graffitti--
i think that it's my anti-drug.
the colors,
the smell of the fresh paint,
the pride i feel.
to buy your paints and
let everyone see into your artwork,
let everyone see your excitement,
your way of expressing yourself.
It shouldn't be against the law-
IT'S ART
A lot of my classmates liked the voice in which the speaker establishes his or her opinion. One of my classmates commented, "You wrote that? Wow. I thought that it was one of the guys." I guess that I really did step out of my normal writing voice.
Another one of the things my classmates did notice, was how the i's in the poem are lowercased. I did that because I think that maybe although that this graffitti artist is proud of his or her work, the graffitti is a way of making him or her feel big, unlike maybe what people from a different perspective have on him or her throughout a normal livelyhood.
What do you think?
Graffitti:
Graffitti--
i think that it's my anti-drug.
the colors,
the smell of the fresh paint,
the pride i feel.
to buy your paints and
let everyone see into your artwork,
let everyone see your excitement,
your way of expressing yourself.
It shouldn't be against the law-
IT'S ART
A lot of my classmates liked the voice in which the speaker establishes his or her opinion. One of my classmates commented, "You wrote that? Wow. I thought that it was one of the guys." I guess that I really did step out of my normal writing voice.
Another one of the things my classmates did notice, was how the i's in the poem are lowercased. I did that because I think that maybe although that this graffitti artist is proud of his or her work, the graffitti is a way of making him or her feel big, unlike maybe what people from a different perspective have on him or her throughout a normal livelyhood.
What do you think?
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A Starter Post
This is my first post. This kind of thing is sort of new to me, so I'd like to thank my second semester English teacher, Mr. Schauble, for helping me. For now, my posts will be mostly related to English class- reflections and so forth.
This should help me get better at writing and such. Like any typical sophomore, I want my writing to get better. So this'll be an electronic version of my commonplace book. I hope at least one of these posts will have some significance to one of you readers. If you have any comments, just post them and I'll take them into consideration.
This should help me get better at writing and such. Like any typical sophomore, I want my writing to get better. So this'll be an electronic version of my commonplace book. I hope at least one of these posts will have some significance to one of you readers. If you have any comments, just post them and I'll take them into consideration.
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