"'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
by Clement Clarke Moore

Clement Clarke Moore wrote this poem in 1822 and it is still one of the most popular Christmas poems today. This poem is completely timeless and still fills people with the holiday spirit. He wrote it for his own children and I think it is truly amazing that it is still read to children to this day. I believe it has stayed popular for a few reasons. First, the literary devices make the poem very appealing to hear. The use of rhyme makes the poem fun and childish, which children love. Also, Moore uses clear and festive imagery. How he describes the atmosphere of a house on Christmas Eve and his description of St. Nick is wonderful. It almost seems real to adults, so it definitely seems real to children. Moore also puts alliteration to good use. Alliteration also makes the poem flow and makes it appealing to listen to. Another reason I believe this poem is timeless is because it is referenced so much in popular culture. References range from comics to movies to songs. In the comic strip, Garfield, the poem is referenced around Christmas time. There is also a movie called "'Twas The Night Before Christmas". The famous Muppets recite the famous poem. In the Christmas classic, "The Grinch", the beginning of the poem is recited as the grinch sneaks in the houses to steal the presents, trees, and decorations. Another movie that keeps this poem alive is Tim Burton's, "The Nightmare Before Christmas". Jack the Pumpkin King wants to mix things up and try out a different holiday other than Halloween. He and his nightmarish friends make their own Christmas presents to deliver, and as he travels in his ghoulish sleigh he recites the end of the poem “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”. Another example is in the movie "The Santa Clause" with Tim Allen. When he becomes Santa and gets into character, he recites the "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blixen!" part of the poem. These are just a few examples of countless references to this extraordinary poem. Another reason I believe this poem is still to this day one of the most loved and well known poems is because it is full of Christmas spirit and joy. If hearing this poem doesn't make you jolly and feel Christmas, you have no soul. I feel confident in saying that we all know how it felt to be waiting for Santa in a quiet yet excited house. Also, I don't know about you but, Moore's vivid description of St.Nick is exactly the image of Santa in my mind. This poem takes me back to being a kid and the feeling of wonder and happiness during Christmas. This poem remains popular because it is relatable and just happy. Moore did a splendid job at capturing the spirit of Christmas with his words. I believe this poem will continue to be a Christmas classic and will always warm people's hearts. Christmas is a time of happiness and this poem encompasses that holiday happiness. I bet Moore had no idea how long of an effect his poem for his children would have on the world. I am glad that this poem has become a classic. Even the fact that he wrote it for his kids is full of Christmas spirit. So pretty much, I love this poem. I think it is the greatest Christmas poem ever written and it deserves to be a classic. Merry Christmas Mrs. Healey and anyone else who reads this blog! Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Human Rules

These ten rules are a good start of guidelines for being human, but it is impossible to limit the human experience to ten simple rules.  Most of the rules I agree with, but there are a couple that I do not completely agree with.  I believe #3 is not completely true.  We do make mistakes, BUT mistakes are OKAY.  A mistake is when we have learned a certain lesson, but choose the wrong way anyway.  Making mistakes is part of being human.  The real trick is realizing the mistake we have made, and do not make it again.  We are not perfect, so there is such a thing as a "mistake".  And #7, others are not merely mirrors of you.  Sure, we have some similarities, but we are all different.  We are all our own person, with our own thoughts and opinions.  The real trick to this rule is knowing yourself, your thoughts, and your opinions.

As I said before, it is impossible to make a list of ten rules for being human because the experience is much larger for any ten rules.  There are a few rules that I would add to this list.
#11 We do make mistakes, but do not be afraid to make them. Learn from them. Share your mistakes so others can learn from them.
#12 Take every moment you can to laugh and love life, it is short.
#13 Do not be scared to ask for help.  There are so many humans for a reason...to join together and assist one another.
#14 Always strive to meet your full potential.  Each one of us has been given gifts, talents, intelligence, and much more.  Strive to express those gifts in every way you can.
#15 Share your happiness with others.  Not only will it make other people happy, it will make you happier.
#16 How can one forget to include the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."  Always treat people with kindness, it will go a long way.
#17 Do not stress the little things.  It will drive you crazy.  Think to yourself, "does this really matter?"
#18 Impermanence.  Remember, people change, situations change, everything changes.  If you are having a bad day, it won't stay bad forever.
#19 Stay positive.
#20 There is nothing you can not handle.  When things get hard, remember that you were made to thrive and succeed.  There is nothing that can destroy your human spirit.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a novel written by Suzanne Collins.  I believe this novel displays many different themes.  One theme I think stands out as important is the value of life.  I think valuing your life along with the lives of others is very important in this world because of the human condition that we only live once.  I also believe that our world has become corrupt and we do not value life as we should.  So, it is inspiring that a modern author has written a book that constantly shows someone valuing life in the midst of violence and death.  An example of life being valued is when Katniss volunteers as tribute for her little sister.  This act shows that she is willing to give up her own life for her sister's life.  Although she is ready to give her life, she is valuing her younger sister's life.  This is a very touching act of love and valuing life.  I think people in today's world should value life as Katniss values life in The Hunger Games.  If people valued life like Katniss, this world would be a better world to live in.  Another example of Katniss valuing life is when she honored Rue by laying flowers on her body when she died.  Also, Katniss makes it clear throughout the novel that she does not agree with the Hunger Games.  Katniss recognizes and appreciates human life, and the Hunger Games degrades and abolishes human life; so she strongly disagrees with this form of genocide.  Katniss shows the respect for life that I believe is necessary.  There are so many forms of disrespect of life in our world and I believe we need to return to respecting life.  Life is a precious gift and we should not be the one's determining the worth or extent of others and our own lives.  In conclusion, all humans should not only respect their own lives, but all the lives around them.  Therefore, I truly appreciate Suzanne Collins's display of the theme and moral of valuing human life.

A Different View of Ash

Patience Worth (1883-1937)

 

Who Said That Love Was Fire?

Who said that love was fire?
I know that love is ash.
It is the thing which remains
When the fire is spent,
The holy essence of experience.

I find this poem very interesting.  It is so short, but it reveals a truth that I do not think people tend to recognize on a daily basis.  This short poem gives ash a new meaning, a different view.  At least it does for me.  A popular image and comparison of love has always been fire.  You can find love being compared to fire and a flame in many modern works of literature.  You can also find love being compared to an everlasting fire in the works of Shakespeare.  Patience Worth gives us a new angle in which to look at love.  Fire is bright, full of heat, color, and life.  Ash is grey, gritty, and usually depressing.  But in reality, it is more realistic to compare love to ash than to fire.  Love does not always stay so alive and heated like a fire, and that feeling does not always mean love.  Also, no fire burns forever, but love can last forever.  Worth compares ash to an experienced love.  Ash is what prevails after a fire has burned out.  Experience is what makes love last, not the flame.  When you continue to love someone past the flame stage is when you gain the experience of truly loving someone. I can believe that love lasts with experience.  Ash is the result of a fire dying out, so the ash is the remains of the fire.  For love, the ash is the love that is present and obtained when the initial attraction that originally brought two people is passed.  I just think this is an uncommon and refreshing image of love.  Normally, ash would not appeal to a person's senses enough to compare it to something as sensational and extraordinary as love, but the way Worth presents the comparison is quite pleasing.  Comparing love to the experienced ash of a dwindled fire is a powerful image.  This poem caught my attention even though it is very short because it contains a new way to view love that is not popularized and overused. 

"What Does the Fox Say?"

Music is a huge part of our daily lives. I am always searching for songs that I am interested in no matter what the genre is. I always keep an open mind when it comes to listening to a piece of music. I found a new song and a recent internet sensation that grabbed my attention. The new song, “What Does the Fox Say” has over 131 millions views on Youtube. I like this song and music video for many reasons. First off, the song is very simple and not too complex. The song starts off by stating the sounds different animals make. For example, the dog goes woof, the cat goes meow, the cow goes moo, and so on and so fourth. The song is so simple, even a three year old child could follow and enjoy it. I also like the music video because it is very creative and original. There are people dressed up in animal costumes dancing and singing along to the song. The next reason I like this song is because of the interesting beat that is used behind the song. The song has a very catchy beat that makes me want to listen to it over and over again. When a song gets stuck in my head and I just want to listen to it several times a day, that’s when I know I found a song I like. The point of the song is, no one knows what the fox says or what noise it makes. The artist describes the noise of the fox with a few different personifications. The singer says the fox makes noises like, “Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding” and “Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow”. These noises are rather comical when the artist is singing them and they really grab your attention.  I am interested in this video because it humors me. This song is very different than other songs from our generation. The songs from our generation sometimes are too similar and more times than not, send a negative message to the listeners. Not only does this song sound good and have a good beat but it is also educational for young toddlers and keeps a clean sense of humor. I think the freedom for people to express themselves in music is vital in today’s world. Besides the humorous sense of the song, this song can be interpreted in a deeper sense. The fox is a mysterious animal and it is a mystery of what it says. Foxes are very majestic creatures and I think the song reflects this in a deeper literary sense. 

Helping People with Science

www.disabled-world.com/medical/rehabilitation/therapy/

This article provides information about what physical therapists do, who they work with, and why physical therapy is beneficial.  I think the unique qualities of physical therapists are they work with people of all ages and they can mend many different physical issues.  One day, a physical therapist could be rehabilitating a senior citizen who is recovering from a hip replacement surgery.  The next day, that same physical therapist could be helping mobilize an infant who was born with a muscular defect.  I think it is amazing how a physical therapist can fix a myriad of physical problems such as; sports injuries, day-to-day injuries like falling or pulling muscles, loss of function in a limb from a stroke, birth defects, or loss of strength due to surgery.  Since physical therapists are professionals on how the body moves and works, they are able to help any human being; no matter their size, age, race, gender, etc.  Physical therapists use their immense knowledge of the human body to help people in need.  Physical therapists use their knowledge to rehabilitate people with injuries or defects so they can live normal and comfortable lives by regaining their strength and mobilization.  I just think it is inspiring that physical therapists go through school to gain knowledge that they will use every day to help people they do not even know.  That inspiration of using their expertise to aid people in distress and pain is why I want to become a physical therapist one day.  Attending college and earning a degree is a very difficult goal to achieve.  Becoming a physical therapist will require a lot of work, dedication, long hours, and it will be a challenge.  I know that all the hard work I put into earning my degree and all the knowledge I gain won’t be for nothing.  Every day that I get to witness a patient overcome a physical ailment and every smile I catch a glimpse of because a patient has recognized their triumph will make all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it.  I have seen first hand how physical therapy can benefit someone.  I have witnessed physical therapists rehabilitate my brother from sports injuries, a close family friend from seizures, and my cousin with autism.  I believe that being able to relieve and rehabilitate people of their physical pain will be an amazing and satisfying career that will never get old.