Hope...That I can finish this year

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

Emily Dickinson

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I've heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

I chose this poem because it is a great way of explaining hope.  Hope is weightless and always happy.  It is hard to lose and it is what you have when you have absolutely nothing.  Hope expects nothing in return, it is just there to help you along.  At this point in the year, I think a lot of seniors are riding on hope.  They are hoping they pass their tests they are no longer studying for.  They are hoping that the homework they didn't do won't be collected.  They are hoping their teachers are feeling as lazy as they are and won't assign work.  They are hoping this last quarter will be an easy one.  They are hoping this last quarter goes by quickly so we can finally receive our high school diplomas and start the next chapter in our lives.  They are hoping for a summer filled with fun and friends before we all depart for college.  They are hoping they transition well at college and make new friends.  They are hoping for their future.  Hope is great and should be held on to.

Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Since we never really discussed this summer reading book in depth in class, I have decided to write an end of the year blog on it.  Hands down this was my favorite book I had to read last summer and without a doubt, the best summer reading book I have ever been assigned.  I really enjoyed how the whole book is written.  As the reader, you get to know the characters personally as they grow up through Kathy's memories.  They seem like completely normal children who do normal things and feel and react as normal children.  That's why as I read it, it took me by surprise when I finally discovered why they were different.  The discovery of them being clones and that their ultimate fate was donating their organs was kind of heartbreaking.  You had gotten to know the characters and related to them as human beings, and then you find out that they aren't treated as human beings.  As children, they were all curious why Madam would take their artwork for her gallery.  Later, Kathy finds out that Madam was trying to convince people that these clones also had souls and they were just as human as anyone else.  As the reader, you can relate to Madam's argument because for the majority of the book, you don't know they are clones.  I think this book is written very well, it keeps the reader reading by the mystery and then has the reader finish by feeling sympathy for the characters.  I also think this book is a look into the future and future ethics.  One day, it might be possible to create clones for organ harvesting.  And if that day comes, the world will be faced with the conflict in this book.  Do they have souls?  Should they have basic human rights also?  If they turn out to be anything like the characters in this book; they are able to feel, love, and react, then I believe the answer is yes.  Never Let Me Go was an interesting read that also got me thinking

Versace Versace

Versace by Daniel K. Davis

I read this biography by Daniel K. Davis on Gianni Versace for my research paper.  It was jammed packed full of information on everything Versace.  This was a major source for my paper because I learned pretty much everything about Gianni Versace and his fashion house by reading it.  I discovered where in Italy he was born and raised.  His mother was a dressmaker and that's how he discovered his love for fashion.  He also had a close relationship with his siblings who would later help him build his fashion empire and also continue his work once he died.  By reading this biography, I learned all about Versace's creative genius.  I, myself, am more of a fan of designers such as Armani and Dolce and Gabbana.  So, reading this book on Versace gave me a different outlook on Versace.  Once you learn about Gianni Versace and his fashion house, you have to respect his uniqueness and creativity.  He wanted his clothes to express the individual wearing them and he wanted them to mean something.  He wanted his clothes to be noticed and not overlooked.  He didn't want his clothes to be the kind that you could just reach in your closet and throw on and go on with your day.  He wanted his clients to think about their clothes and express themselves with it.  Gianni Versace changed the fashion world with his colorful patterns, mixture of materials, and sexy cuts.  He broke all the rules which allow fashion designers of today to feel the freedom to design however they want.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

The Wudan teaches their pupils rules. Rules such as friendship, trust, humility, and loyalty. I think these rules are necessary to be a successful warrior. Warriors are unlike other people; they have a special talent and women don't have to be married. Warrior women can roam free which is frowned upon by common women whose biggest accomplishment in life is marriage. So, I can see where friendship is an important aspect of being a warrior. They must join together and respect one another since they are different. Trust is also big. A pupil must trust their master to train them well and correctly. A master must trust their pupil to be obedient and learn. A warrior must trust themselves and their ability to carry out their duty. At the same time, a warrior must be humble. They can not be arrogant or impulsive. They have to respect other warriors with exceptional ability and the chance they can lose. They have to be humble that others could possibly have better abilities. Humility is important in making level-headed decisions in fights. Loyalty is another important value. Pupils must be loyal to their masters. Pupils must be loyal to the Wudan. They have to be able to keep the wudan's secrets and stay loyal to their purpose. I believe these values are what makes the warriors so effortless if they master these values.

Midterm Motivation

Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure - or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember, that's where you will find success. -John Watson

A quote about motivation and success seemed appropriate with midterms next week and senioritis striking hard.  Of course I was thinking something along the lines of "Keep going.  You can do it.  Don't give up."  But one about failing seems even better.  Midterms aren't looking too good when all of our energy is spent, our stress is through the roof, and our motivation is beginning to lag.  So, remember, failure isn't always a bad thing.  Get an F on a midterm here and there?  Don't sweat, learn from it.  Do better on midterms next year...oh wait, that's right, midterms don't exist in college...lol.  All jokes aside, this is a great quote.  We can't be perfect all the time.  There will be times that we fail.  But failure shouldn't discourage us.  We can only get better from there.  I definitely agree that in failure you find success.  I know when I fail at something I get determined to succeed.  Mistakes are a great learning tool when you are able to realize the mistake and fix it.  As Aaliyah once said, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again."  Life is full of failure.  But failure can lead to even greater success if you don't let it discourage you.

I Like Green Eggs and Ham

Green Eggs and Ham

By Dr. Suess

While looking for something short to read to write a blog entry about, I came across some books my siblings and I used to read when we were little.  My favorite, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess, was among them.  How could I not post an entry about Green Eggs and Ham?  It's a classic.  I read it again after years of not giving it a second glance.  It still amuses me and holds my attention.  That's one of the great things about any Dr.Suess book.  No matter how old you get, his books are fun to read.  Dr. Suess was a master of rhyme.  He was like the first and best white rapper.  Eminem has nothing on Dr. Suess.  Will the real Sam I Am please stand up.  The imaginative detail in Green Eggs and Ham really sparks one's senses.  The fun made up words always makes it entertaining to read.  And of course, how short the rhyme schemes and story is really appeals to lazy high school readers.  I don't think anyone is too old to read a good Dr. Suess book.  His unique stories are timeless and have no age limit.  His stories are jam packed full of literary devices.  Rhyming of course "I do not like green eggs and ham.  I do not like them Sam I am."  Assonance- "box, fox".  Alliteration- "them, there".  There is plenty of imagery and all sorts of other literary devices.  Of course to small children, the story just holds their attention with fun and ear-catching language.  But as someone gets older and receives some background on poetry, you notice the the foundation of the writing which can also be fun.  Fun fact!  Green Eggs and Ham uses a total of 50 words throughout the whole story.  Dr. Suess was without a doubt an amazing writer and I don't think his work should be limited to children.  His work is still entertaining to read as an eighteen year old.  I'm not ashamed.  I would rather read Green Eggs and Ham than Oepidus Rex.  #sorrynotsorry

"'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!