Song of the Day!

In honor of my friend's birthday...... Today's song of the day is.....

BIRTHDAY by Katy Perry! 

Outdoor School Pictures!

Song of the Day

May 15, 2014: Elevation by U2
May 16, 2014: Raging Fire by Philip Philips
May 17, 2014: Pretty Lady (Around Me) by Aer
May 18, 2014: Habits (Stay High) by Tove Lo
May 19, 2014: Slow Girl by Audiodub
May 20, 2014: Out Here by Mike Stud
May 21, 2014: Magic by Coldplay
May 22, 2014: 2 AM. by Adrian Marcel
May 23, 2014: Wade in Your Water by Common Kings
May 24, 2014: Already Taken by Trey Songz
May 25, 2014: Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
May 26, 2014: Every Rose Has Its Thron by Poison
May 27, 2014: Smooth by Santana
May 28, 2014: A Drop In the Ocean by Ron Pope
May 29, 2014: Erase Me by Kanye West

Amazing.

I apologize for not posting lately! I was at outdoor school as a cabin leader, which was an absolutely amazing experience, but sadly there was no internet connection. I will be posting a review of my experience there and a few song of the day posts within the next few days! :)

Pictures!

Cynefin Framework

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oz366X0-8

The video above is about the Cynefin Franework based on the ideas of Dave Snowden! I would definitely recommend checking this out! 

Think Green

College Schedule

It's official! My upcoming class schedule at Franklin Pierce is written below. My schedule is going to be completely filled up next year, which is going to be stressful, but also extremely exciting at the same time.

-Principles of Marketing 

-Principles of Management 

-Intro to Psychology 

-Principles of Microeconomics 

-FYI – Identity: Experiencing Race 

-Electronic Spreadsheets  

Mediology

This is one of the various topics talked about at the retreat… 

Mediology:

Media is at the heart of new social control.

The objective is to stop the younger generation is to stop the critical thought and to become self-aware.

It begins with things that already interests the audience.

Who we truly are not who we portray to be.

Challenging media and our own personal views.

In Progress

Amazing... Just amazing.

Words.

Aloha.

Infrastructure.

Education.

Community.

Culture.

Gratitude.

These are just a few of the words on the minds of some highly intelligent individuals here at Jerry's Retreat. What do these words mean to you? How do they relate to those around you? What is their significance? Each word is a symbol of an individual's thought at that particular moment in time. The words are not necessarily directly related, but yet they are still connected in a way. The thoughts we develop and share through words exposes an opportunity to create conversation in which morphs into a learning experience. By the usage of a single word, we are able to grow and flourish for both ourselves and for society. 

Fear.

"What are you afraid of? You've got a chance to change everything. TAKE IT. This is about choices you make in life. This is about finding that one thing that sets you free. You need to believe in yourself or none of this matters."

I am just one of the many new incoming freshman next year, but that still doesn't make it any easier to leave those that I love and the familiar places in which I associate with home. The idea of college is scary…. it's a monumental change that will shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be. Every time I think about it, I get both a feeling of excitement and fear. I will be going to a university thousands of miles away all by myself. Now, this won't stop me from achieving my goals in which I have set for myself. I will strive to be the best I can be; I will impact those around me; I will continue to learn; I will be the change that I fear; I will be me.

Just the Beginning!

  

Time to begin!

Nervous...

          My nerves are bouncing off the walls in both positive and negative ways. I'm absolutely exstatic about being able to have the opportunity to go on this retreat, but I'm worried about my presentation. The audience is a group of highly intelligent individuals, who are role models of mine. Each have a thrist for knowledge and that is something I admire greatly. I want to be able to present a great presentation that sparks conversations and learning. Hopefully, I am able to do so! 

Wish me luck! 

Songs for Days!

I apologize for not posting the daily song, but this week as been insane due to AP testing. So, they are listed below! 

Tuesday: Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Flyod.

Wednesday: Baba O'Riley by The Who.

Today: Cardiac Arrest by Bad Suns 

The Time is Now.

When I walked out of room 617, I realized that I had just completed my final AP exam ever, which is absolutely surreal to me. Each AP student becomes accustomed to taking AP tests year after year, but that all ends this year. 

As a senior, I only have 2 more weeks left at Righetti High School. The memories and learning experiences I've had over the past 4 years are unforgettable. That may sound cliche, but it is the truth.

Now, it's time to focus on living in the moment. From now till I leave for college, I'm going to enjoy every moment and spend time with those that I love. "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." The time is now.

Songs of the Weekend and Today!

Saturday (PROM DAY): The Remedy (I Won't Worry) by Jason Mraz
Sunday (HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!): Mama by August Alsina
Today: Coldest Zone by J Boog

Song of the Day

“So am I wrong?

For thinking that we could be something for real?

Now am I wrong?

For trying to reach the things that I can't see?

But that's just how I feel,

That's just how I feel

That's just how I feel

Trying to reach the things that I can't see.”

The song of the day is…. Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz.

Song of the Day

“I bust the windows out your car

You know I did it cause I left my mark

Wrote my initials with a crow bar

And then I drove off into the dark

I bust the windows out your car

You should feel lucky that that's all I did

After five whole years of this bullshit

Gave you all of me and you played with it.”

The song of the day….. Bust Your Windows by Jazmine Sullivan.

Wow...

Well… I just completely embarrassed myself in front of a large group of high intelligent individuals! Wow… I can't even think of the right words to say right now! I made a mistake and then got frazzled, which didn't help the situation and caused me to make even more. Honestly, they were silly/stupid errors, but I definitely learned my lesson there! I'm happy that I was able to make those mistakes because it turned into another learning experience. I'm only 18 years old, so this will not be the last embarrassing mistake I make, but I am going to use it as a way to grow as a student and individual! :)

Song of the Day

"IMA TELL THE TRUTH AND THE WHOLE TRUTH CUZ THERE AIN'T NO NEED TO LIE AND I AIN'T TRYIN' TO KEEP IT ALL INSIDE SO I GOTTA TESTIFY…"

The song of the day is…. Testify by August Alsina

Song of the Yesterday

The song of the yesterday was… Misery Business by Paramore!

Song of the Day

Baby even though I hate ya

I wanna love ya

I want you you you

And even though I can't forgive ya

I really want to

I want you you you 

Head in the clouds

got no weight on my shoulders

I should be wiser

and realize that I've got

one less problem.

The song of the day is…. Problem by Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea and Big Sean.

Song of the Day

"Girl I know sometimes that I mistreat you, and you still come back

And I see your homegirls try to reach you, but you ain't hearing none of that

They try to get through, they say I ain't the move

I don't know, cause girl it might be true

When they tell you, you should walk away but you stay anyway."

The song of the day is…. You Deserve by August Alsina.

You deserve all the love, you deserve all the love

You deserve all the care, you deserve all the care

You deserve all that and more, you deserve all that and more

You deserve better, you deserve better

You deserve to laugh, you deserve to laugh

Baby you deserve to smile, baby you deserve to smile

You deserve the best of everything

You deserve better.

Right or Wrong?

"There are only two ways to live your life, only two ways to be. One is the right way, the other the wrong way. The right is to give, to share, to love. The wrong way is to snatch, to exploit, to accumulate. Love and money are the symbols of these two ways. Money is neurosis, love is ecstasy. Love is the right way and money is the wrong way."

Song of the Day

The song of the day is Change Your Life by Iggy Azalea feat. T.I! :) Happy Friday everyone!

Beach.

Here's a photo I took of a local beach called Pirate's Cove! :) 

A.P Multiple Choice Exam- corrected

Summertime Baby

The weather is absolutely amazing right now! It has been extremely hot over the past few days and I can't wait for sum me to come! So, I decided to do a song of the week…. the song of the week is Summertime Baby by The Holdup! :)

Song of the Day

Monday: I Don't Love You Yet by The Holdup
Tuesday: What Will Be Will Be by The Green
Wednesday: Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys
Thursday: Blackout by Breathe Carolina

Songs of Spring Break!

Sunday: Happy Easter! Hope everyone had a wonderful time with their families! :) The song of the day was Waiting for Superman by Daughtry.

Monday: Smart Went Crazy by Atmosphere.

Tuesday: I Miss You by Blink-182

Wednesday: When Love & Hate Collide by Def Leppard

Thursday:  Nothin' On You by B.o.B

Friday: Shoot To Trill by ACDC

Saturday: Lay Me Down by The Dirty Heads

Sunday: Buttons by The Pussycat Dolls

Song of the Day

The song of the day is…..Berzerk by Eminem.

The Reason.

This is why I do the song of the day. Music is supposed to help us and if my song of the day helps some one... that's more than I could ask for. 

Song of the Day

The song of the day is..... The Worst by Jhene Aiko 

Afraid.

Art 2.0

My Masterpiece

My masterpiece is a presentation about open source learning that will be presented at Jerry's Retreat. Honestly, I'm out of my mind excited for this because it is going to not only help others, but it's also going to help expand the importance of pushing the boundaries of education.

I will be posting my speech within the next week and I would really appreciate honest feedback, so there is no need to sugar coat it!

Songs for daysss

Since this was the week before spring break, my schedule got crazier and crazier! Now, I'm finally off and ready to relax! Woo hoo!

Here are the songs for this past week:
Tuesday: Dream On by Aerosmith
Wednesday: Behind Blue Eye by The Who
Thursday: Photograph by Def Leppard

Art!

I finally finished this piece of art even though it took me a very long time to complete and I'm quite proud of it, so I decided to post it! :) 

Song of the Day

I don't think that I've posted this song before, but if I did sorry!

The song of the day is….. Older by The Holdup

Letting Go...

THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN SHOULD AND MUST

Sadly, the website wouldn't load on my computer, so I was unable to read the essay in which this post was supposed to be based on, but luckily there was a question to answer outside the essay as well. The question is….Where are you in relation to the crossroads, and which way do you see yourself headed?

I feel like senior year is the crossroads for me personally. This is my last year of high school and an education system in which I have become so accustomed to. College is completely different than the school system I am in now and I'm going to have to adapt to that new way of learning. This new path that I choose to follow will probably expand my point of view and shape my life forever, which is why this year is a crossroad. Honestly, I see the direction that I'm heading and I have picked my path, but that does't stop me from second guessing the choices that I have made. Did I make the right decision? Will this be the path that allows me to achieve my goals? Do I want to be that far away from home? All of these questions roll throughout my mind on a daily basis because I know that the choices I make now will affect my future. I think and hope that I made the right choices for myself, but even if I didn't, I would just have to learn from the mistakes that I had made. 

Song of the Weekend

Friday: Last Friday Night by Katy Perry
Saturday: Don't Cha by The Pussycat Dolls
Sunday: Take Me Home by Cash Cash

You.

Song of the Day

Wednesday: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

Today: With Me by Sum 41

I love both of these songs for many reasons, but overall both songs are just amazing and I would definitely recommend listening to them! :)

Macbeth-Active Reading Notes-ACT II

WHAT ABOUT MY MASTERPIECE? and LOOK AT MY BRAIN

I'm now starting to kick up the pace for my masterpiece, which is presentation at Jerry's Retreat. At this point in time, I'm collecting research and starting to write my speech for the presentation. This task is going to take me about 2 weeks since I want it to be perfect due to the fact that the individuals attending this retreat are absolutely incredible and I also care about what I am presenting. Overall, I would just like to provide an amazing presentation in which the audience can learn and provide their points of views on.

Here's a little sneak peek at the notes in which I have collected….

Traditional Learning:

-*LEARNING NEEDS TO BE CREATIVE*

- Students should be able to express themselves freely.

- New education styles aren't necessarily "better" than old school, but they are more relatable to our modern generation in which allows the students to have a deeper understanding.

Values Developed by School Systems:

-TESTS SHOW:

 --data 

--short-term information

--quantified knowledge

--benchmark learning expectations

--represent/simplify/snapshot

--grade vs. learning

--pass or fail

Songs for Days

These past few days have had their ups and downs, but overall each day has had some positive aspect. I've been extremely busy this past week, so I'm using this song of the day post to catch up with all the days I missed.

Thursday: Let Yourself Go by Green Day
Friday: Dance Girl Dance by The Expendables
Saturday: It Wasn't Me by Shaggy
Sunday: Love Bites by Def Leppard
Monday: You by Atmosphere
Today: Stand Tall by The Dirty Heads

MUSIC

"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."

-Plato

This is why I love doing the song of the day because it allows me to take breath or enjoy a song I like or express how I'm feeling. It's amazing how music can change your mood and personally, I can't imagine my life without music. Now, my music taste is all over the map as you can see through my songs of the day, but each song has a message or meaning just like literature. Music is an outlet in which we can release our emotions, ideals, thoughts, or experiences. Music is free.

Song of the Day

"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."

Tuesday: Up All Night by The Holdup
Today: Hanging On by Ellie Goulding

Macbeth Active Reading Notes-Act 1

Literature Analysis #6

Literature Analysis #6

Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Author: Mark Twain

Summary: 

1. The book is based around the character of Huckleberry Finn, who is a poor boy living with adopted guardians since his father is a alcoholic. He is unhappy with his new way of life and dreams  of going back to the way things used to be. Unlike in his past, Finn is forced to be respectable and be a good image towards society. This changes once his father kidnaps him in order to start a new life. Sadly, instead of getting a better life, Huck is locked in a cabin while his father drinks until he can drink no more. In addition, Pap beats poor Huck every time he's intoxicated, which causes Huck to run away and to fake his own death in order to escape from Pap. While on the run, Huck runs into a former slave of his adopted guardian named Jim.  Jim has run away from Miss Watson (adopted guardian of Huck)  after hearing her talk about selling him to a plantation down the river, where he would be treated horribly and separated from his wife and children. Luckily, the two find a raft and pass my a floating house on the Mississippi river, which leads to them finding a body, but Jim won't let Huck see who it is.  The two are soon separated when their raft is destroyed by a steamboat. Huck is able to find shelter with the Granderfords, who have an intense feud with the Shepherdsons. A battle begins between the two families while Huck is there due to the fact that a Grangerford daughter eloped with a Shepherdson son (reminds me of Romeo and Juilet). Huck escapes the battle by finding Jim on the repaired raft and the two hurry down river. As their journey continues, the two pick up a few hitchhikers, who are actually con-artists. The con-artists pull off tons of scams as they traveled along the river, which makes Huck and Jim want to get rid of the two men. Sadly, they tried to by exposing one of their plans, but the con-artists make it to the raft just in time. The two robbers end up selling Jim to a local farmer, which was their worst crime of all. Huck is enraged and decides he was going to save Jim from slavery. Now, Huck finds out that the farmer Jim was sold to was Tom Sawyer's aunt and uncle, so they welcome Huck thinking he was Tom. A few days later, Tom arrives and realizes the plan his friend has devised, so he says that he is his younger brother, Sid. The two hatch a ridiculous plan to free Jim that ends up not working and causing Tom to get shot in the leg. The next morning, Tom tells the truth to his aunt and uncle, which ultimately frees Tom. During that time, Huck also finds out that the body in the house was his father's and instead of being adopted by Tom's aunt, he decides to live out West.

2. “Please take it”, says I, “and don’t ask me nothing- then I won’t have to tell no lies.”  This book has various themes, but the two that were most evident to me were racism and the hypocrisy of being civilized or morally/socially acceptable. The struggles with Jim and the fact that Huck is constantly trying to escape from being civilized shows these two themes in a perfect way.

3. “All right, then, I'll go to hell"—and tore it up.” The author's tone changes throughout the novel since the author, Mark Twain, would use it as a way of characterization. 

4. Ten Literary Techniques: 

-“Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and a body ain’t got no business doing wrong when he ain’t ignorant and knows better.” 

cliche: The idea of right and wrong is a common cliche within our culture and was actually a part of my big question.

-“He was sunshine most always-I mean he made it seem like good weather.” 

metaphor: This is an example of a metaphor because it's a comparison without using like or as.

-"It's not as bad as it sounds.” 

understatement: This technique was used to make the dilemma seem less important and to "understate" it's value.

-“To be, or not to be; that is the bare bodkin 

That makes calamity of so long life;” 

connection: This was a connection to Shakespeare's "To be or not to be" speech!

-“The widow she cried over me, and called a poor lost lamb, and she called me a lot of other names, too, but she never meant no harm by it.”

pathos: This elicits a connection family and compassion, which causes emotion within the audience.

-“It's lovely to live on a raft. We had

the sky, up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on

our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was

made, or only just happened- Jim he allowed they was made, but I

allowed they happened; I judged it would have took too long to make so

many.” 

imagery: This created a beautiful setting in which the audience was able to create within their minds. 

-“What got you into trouble?" 

rhetorical question: This quote established a question that didn't need to be answered, which makes it a rhetorical question.

-“It's as mild as goose-milk.”
simile: This quote is a perfect example of simile because it is a comparison that uses the word as.

-“little smoke couldn't be noticed now.."
allusion: This imagery of smoke alludes to the fact that their position could be compromised.

-“frills. I won’t have it. I’ll lay for you, my smarty;”
“All right, then, I'll go to hell"—and tore it up.” 
tongue in cheek: Both of these quotes pokes fun at certain themes, which provides a humorous tone for their characters and the author.

Characterization:

Direct characterization is when the author makes statements about a character's personality directly to the reader. 

Indirect characterization is when the author reveals the character's personality through that character's thoughts, words, or interactions with others.

1. 

-Direct Characterization Examples:

“here was a free nigger there from Ohio-a mulatter. most as white as a white man. He had the whitest shirt on you ever see, too, and the shiniest hat; and there ain’t a man in that town that’s got...”

“Now she had got a start, and she went on and told me all about the good place. She said all a body would have to do there was to go around all day long with a harp and sing, forever and ever. So I...”

-Indirect Characterization Examples:

“I felt so lonesome I most wished I was dead. The stars were shining, and the leaves rustled in the woods ever so mournful; and I heard an owl, away off, who-whooing about somebody that was dead, and a whippowill and a dog crying about somebody that was going to die;” 

“It didn't take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn't no kings nor dukes at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds. But I never said nothing, never let on; kept it to myself; it's the best way; then you don't have no quarrels, and don't get into no trouble.”

2. The author's diction and syntax didn't change that much when he began to focus on his characters because it allowed the book to have more of a flow. 

3. Huck was a static, round protagonist due to the fact he has various traits, but his ideals our civilization doesn't change throughout the book.

4.“All right, then, I'll go to hell"—and tore it up.”  Honestly, I feel like I know Huck because the author writes in a way in which the audience is able to truly connect with him on a deeper level. (In addition, I liked Huck's attitude and sarcasm!)

Song of the Day!

The song of the day is….. *drum roll* …..

Rise Up by Kevin Miso!

In addition, I will be posting my literature analysis tomorrow since I realized that I forgot to save and publish it yesterday to my blog, so I'm going to have to rewrite it. I apologize for the delay!

Songs of the Weekend

Saturday: I Won't Let You Go by Snow Patrol
Sunday: I Need You by M83

These two songs are from the soundtrack for Divergent, which is why I picked them! The movie was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed it especially since I've read the books. I would recommend seeing it! Well anyways, hope everyone had an awesome weekend! :)

Song of the Day!

Yesterday: Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry (He was the original lead singer of Journey!)
Today: Not a Bad Thing by Justin Timberlake (This song is absolutely adorable!)

Masterpiece Resource of the Day

My resource of the day is a book called Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. Now, I have read this book in the past, but I decided to re-read it in order to go more in depth since it is a helpful tool for preparing myself for Jerry's Retreat presentation.

MY MACBETH RESOURCES

1. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethresources.html. (This website has various links that contain a great deal of information and help.)
2. http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/chrissandy1/camacbeth.htm. (This is an in depth character summary of Macbeth.)
3. http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/ (This was created by a group of students from Stanford, Berkley, and Harvard.)
4. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/full.html (This is the full unedited text from MIT!)
5.http://www.shakespeareswords.com/Macbeth (This website is easy to read and overall enjoyable to look at while providing useful information about Macbeth.)

This is not a test….

I actually posted this a few days ago, but it didn't save…. Luckily, I have no problem writing this up again, so in class we were asked to write a test that connects to our masterpiece. My masterpiece is connected with conquering fears and being the best individual you can be. I will be presenting at Jerry's retreat, which is both exciting and scary. It was my choice to do this because I knew that it was something that would open so many opportunities and enrich my connection network. In addition, I have the chance to meet and learn from a very talented group of people. So, my test is to do something that scares you if it is something that will benefit you or those around you! This may sounds cliche, but you only live once, so make it worth it!

SONG OF THE DAY!

This song was just too amazing not to share…. It has been on repeat on my iPod for a few days now! Hope you love it as much as I do!

Beating Heart by Ellie Goulding

Here's a link to the song :)!

IS THERE AN EXPERT IN THE HOUSE?

“There is no perfect fit when you're looking for the next big thing to do. You have to take opportunities and make an opportunity fit for you, rather than the other way around. The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” 

My expert and role model is Sheryl Sandberg, who is a successful leader and business woman. She is absolutely phenomenal and I would love the opportunity to talk to her. Her book, Lean In, continues to inspire me each and every day even though I read it months ago. I made the quote, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?", my senior quote because it's a new mantra of mine due to Sheryl Sandberg's influence. Honestly, there are so many more reasons why she is my perfect expert, but I'll just keep it short and sweet…. Sheryl Sandberg is an extremely talented and intelligent woman, who I aspire to be like. 

FEAR.

"What are you afraid of? You've got a chance to change everything. TAKE IT. This is about choices you make in life. This is about finding that one thing that sets you free. You need to believe in yourself or none of this matters."

I am just one of the many new incoming freshman next year, but that still doesn't make it any easier to leave those that I love and the familiar places in which I associate with home. The idea of college is scary…. it's a monumental change that will shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be. Every time I think about it, I get both a feeling of excitement and fear. I will be going to a university thousands of miles away all by myself. Now, this won't stop me from achieving my goals in which I have set for myself. I will strive to be the best I can be; I will impact those around me; I will continue to learn; I will be the change that I fear; I will be me.

Song of the Day

Here are a few songs to catch up for missing a few days!

Sunday: Can't Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West
Monday: Open Arms by Journey
Today: Let It Go by Idina Menzel

Brave New World Essay

ABSENT: BRAVE NEW WORLD ESSAY 

“I am I, and I wish I weren't.” Each individual within society is in a constant battle with being moral or immoral, which is shown in our actions and points of views. John the Savage in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley has all of the necessary skills to be a part of the futuristic society presented by the new world, but yet he still doesn’t fit in. He is looked down upon those living within the “World State” , which causes them to alienate John without even realizing that he is just as qualified as they are. This elicits pathos and sympathy from the audience since Huxley developed John as a character who is relatable and understandable through the struggles and cliches that he must go through such as fitting in and finding out what your true morals are compared to society’s ideals.

“If one's different, one's bound to be lonely.” Huxley immediately provides the audience with sympathetic feelings toward John the Savage through his name. The usage of the word savage causes the audience to feel bad for him since he is being called something that he is not. He is being called that due to the fact that he stands up for what he believes in even if it’s against society’s morals and shares his faults openly. The explicit imagery of his mother being beaten to a pulp tears through the emotions of the audience and causes John to be portrayed as a mistreated individual dealing with incredibly difficult issues, which elicits compassion and sympathy. In addition to his flashbacks, John the Savage is extremely passionate and that is shown within his actions. The death of his mother is a perfect example of how he isn’t afraid to express how he feels unlike those around him since that isn’t socially acceptable due to the fact that the “World State” doesn’t believe in the concept of family. His emotions pour out of him uncontrollably and leave him in an emotional vulnerable state in which causes him to act irrationally. His emotions take over his logical thoughts and that is why he ends up killing himself since he is unable to deal with the pain and grief. His suicide leaves the audience in that similar vulnerable state since they were able to relate with his emotions on a deep level, leaving the audience with the urge to save him, but weren’t able to in time. 

“I'd rather be myself," he said. "Myself and nasty. Not somebody else, however jolly.”  The characterization of John the Savage created by Aldous Huxley in “Brave New World” develops sympathy and various other emotions through literary techniques such as imagery, allusion, and synesthesia. He may have been called a “savage”, but he was not considered one from the audience’s point of view.

   

Song of the Day

I've been so busy with school and volleyball that I wasn't able to post yesterday (sorry!), but no worries I will just post it today! :)

Here are the songs!

Friday: Cough Syrup by Young the Giant
Today: Invincible by MGK

Song of the Day

The song of the day is…. How's It Gonna Be by The Holdup.

HUXLEY'S BRAVE NEW WORLD

            Due to being absent the past few days…. I have not been able to write my essay, but I am going to as soon as possible! I would like to write about his interview because I thought it was quite interesting. Often times, interviews can be boring and uneventful. They usually always ask the same lame questions such as how is the family or how do you feel about this issue, but this interview was quite different (in a good way). I was able to really see and understand both Huxley's POV now and then. Now, I do not believe that we are a part of the Brave New World at this current moment, but we could be evolving into it. Social media and technology are extremely influential aspects of our society. Each of us is constantly using technology such as our cell phones or televisions, so Huxley is correct in the idea that these influences can affect our emotions, actions, and morals. In addition to the media, drugs could be another influence. Huxley mentioned the concept of drugs in his interview, which was that drugs can change our choices. Drugs could become a gateway in which others use to control an individual’s freedom or ideals. This could lead to the world described in Brave New World, so personally I agree with Huxley about preparing for the future ahead of us instead of being blindsided.

Song of the Day

Well I just realized that I forgot to post yesterday! Sorry about that, but I'll just post it today :)!

The songs are:

Tuesday: Donald Trump by Mac Miller

Wednesday: XO by Beyonce 

Song of the Day

The song of the day is….. Gravity by John Mayer! :)

Dreams...

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one." -John Lennon

Thank You!

I would like to say thanks to Daniel Rucker and Maddison Hill for commenting to the blog post on the course blog about Randy's email! I greatly appreciate it! This will be extremely helpful when developing my presentation for Jerry's Retreat! :)

By the way, I would recommend checking out their blogs because they are absolutely awesome! Rebecca Aldrich and Rachel Shedd's blogs are amazing as well! :)

Songs for Dayssss

Wednesday: All the Small Things by Blink-182 (Their greatest hits album is absolutely amazing!)
Thursday: No Air by Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown (This song was a classic jam in the awkward junior high school years.)
Friday: Classic by MKTO (Super catchy!)
Saturday: Summer Nights by Iration (All of this hot weather makes me wish for summer to come faster, so I thought this was a perfect summer song.)
Sunday: Still I Rise by Sammy Adams (I love Sammy Adams, so I would definitely recommend checking out his music.)

Song of the Day

In honor of our guest speaker, Terry Lawless, today….. the song of the day is Mysterious Ways by U2! This is one of my all time favorite songs, so I hope you guys like it! :)

Song of the Day

The song of the day is…..Closer to the Edge by Thirty Seconds to Mars! The lead singer of the band is Jared Leto, who won an oscar a few nights ago for best supporting actor, so he is ridiculously talented. In addition, their new album is absolutely amazing and I would check it out if you liked the song above. Plus it's on sale! :)

10 QUESTIONS

Here are my 10 questions to Sheryl Sandberg, who is a role model of mine and just an overall amazing individual (Her book, Lean in, is FANTASTIC).

These questions are based on my major within the business realm. 

1. In your book, you talk about the idea of fear…. What are some of the things that you feared, but had to conquer in order to accomplish? 

2. How has success changed your point of view?

3. Do you enjoy being apart of the business world?

4. What's your biggest accomplishment?

5. What are some of your future goals?

6. Do regret any of the business choices you have made?

7. How were you able to incorporate your passions with work?

8. Who was one of your biggest influences?

9. I hope to be presenting at Jerry's Retreat and I was wondering if you could give me few key pointers that will help my presentation be the best it can possibly be. 

10. What's the most important aspect of education to you?

Songs for Days

My internet was down at my house for the past few days, but luckily it's back!

Thursday: Stand Tall by The Dirty Heads
Friday: Turn Down For What by DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Saturday: The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
Sunday: Another Night by Mac Miller

Benchmark Project

                 I will be majoring in Sales and Marketing, which is within the business realm. Connections are monumental in the business world and this course has allowed me to make ones that I would have never been able to. For example, I will soon be presenting at Jerry's Retreat in front of a large group of influential leaders about my views and experience with education, which is still mind blowing to me. At this point in time, I have started working on my presentation with the research I've collected. Some of my resources are posted below, but that's just a few! I will be working with Dr. Preston on this project since he will be presenting with me, so there is still a lot of work to be done. In addition, I have a logo drawn up for Open Source Learning and I just need to make the finishing touches. 

                I would also like to help create a scholarship in memory of Lisa's mom. This isn't for a project though because I don't want it to be "for a grade". This is to support someone, who is absolutely one of the sweetest people I know. 

LEARNING [in a] BRAVE NEW WORLD

Today, our discussion was based on the ending of the book. Most of us were ahead, so we started discussing the ending of Brave New World. In addition, we talked about literary terms within the book in order to get a better understanding since our mid-term is coming up. Honestly, the part that helped me the most was the discussions about literary terms because it allowed me to memorize them and to make connections with our in-class conversations.

Resources for Days!

My project is in the works at this point in time. I'm actually developing my powerpoint right now! This will definitely take some time since it's about open source learning/business education, which is quite a broad subject. Here's a few of my resources that I've been using…

Definition:

I found this by googling Open Source Learning, which was pretty cool!

Open Source Learning is an emerging education practice that allows students to capitalize on the scope and power of the Internet to create and manage their own learning experiences, ultimately producing interactive material that is available online to everyone.

The term “Open Source Learning” was coined for this context in 2009 by David Preston, a teacher who developed the Open Source Learning principles, tools, and techniques that are being used in a growing number of K-12 schools and colleges.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Source_Learning

Videos:

This was awesome to watch because it shows that we aren't the only ones wanting to expand our education system!

http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_baraniuk_on_open_source_learning

Rice University professor Richard Baraniuk explains the vision behind Connexions, his open-source, online education system. It cuts out the textbook, allowing teachers to share and modify course materials freely, anywhere in the world.

Song of the Day

Here's the song of the day…... Stop and Stare by OneRepublic :)

Song of the Day

Young Forever ft. Mr. Hudson by Jay-Z :)

Song of the Day

Good Morning! 

Here's the song for the day!

Don't Talk Serious by The Holdup

Literature Analysis #5

Literature Analysis #5:

Book: Heart of Darkness

Author: Joseph Conrad

Summary: 

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is based on the journey of a sailor named Marlow, who is traveling up the Congo River. Marlow is trying to meet up with a man named Kurtz, which is why he is on this journey. He joins the Company and becomes a riverboat captain. While being a part of the Company, Marlow sees absolute terrible events such as the kidnapping of natives to use them as workers and various other forms of cruelty. He visits Central Station in which he finds out that his ship was sunk, but this makes him more obsessive of meeting Kurtz. Kurtz is thought to be ill, so Marlow works as hard as he possibly can to fix the ship quickly. Once they finally finish the ship, the crew continues his journey. Finally, they run into a hut with piles of firewood, but the ship is soon attacked by natives after the fog cleared. Marlow is luckily able to scare the native by blowing the ship’s whistle. Not long after, Marlow and his crew meets a Russian trader, who is mentally crazy, but he says that Kurtz has enlarged his mind and can’t be surrounded by normal moral judgements. Kurtz is now thought of a God to the natives. Soon, Kurtz is brought out by the manager onto the steamer and later disappears into the night. Marlow follows him and convinces him to come back on the ship. On their way back, Kurtz tells Marlow about various documents that say the “savages” must be exterminated. The steamer has issues causing it to stop. Sadly, Kurtz dies and Marlow is able to survive even with his terrible illness. Kurtz’s last words were “The horror! The horror!”, but Marlow tells Kurtz’s intended fiancee that his last word was her name.

A theme within the book is the exploration of ambiguity, moral confusion, and what is considered to be evil. Marlow is stuck at an impasse between two choices that both have negative aspects to them, so he must decide what is right and if it’s worth the sacrifice.

 The tone changes throughout the book due to the different events happening, so it’s difficult to pin point an exact tone. 

“We live as we dream--alone....” 

“His face was like the autumn sky, overcast one moment and bright the next.” 

These are examples of  similes since they compare two concepts with either the word like or as.

“The horror! The horror!”

“I have been very happy—very fortunate—very proud,' she went on. 'Too fortunate. Too happy for a little while. And now I am unhappy for—for life.” 

This author uses these repetitions to connect with his audience and to make a lasting impression on those reading the book.

“It echoed loudly within him because he was hollow at the core.”

This is an example of personification because he is compared to as a tree, which connects to the environment.

“The vision seemed to enter the house with me—the stretcher, the phantom-bearers, the wild crowd of obedient worshippers, the gloom of the forests, the glitter of the reach between the murky bends, the beat of the drum, regular and muffled like the beating of a heart—the heart of a conquering darkness.” 

This is an example of imagery and provided vivid images for the audience to create within their minds. In addition, this quote directly relates to the title of the book.

“For a time I would feel I belonged still to a world of straightforward facts; but the feeling would not last long. Something would turn up to scare it away.” 

This is an example of foreshadowing and portrays a turn in events, so the audience are able to predict what could happen next. 

“Perhaps on some quiet night the tremor of far-off drums, sinking, swelling, a tremor vast, faint; a sound weird, appealing, suggestive and wild - and perhaps with as profound a meaning as the sound of bells in a Christian country.” 

This quote brings strong images, memories, and feelings, which elicits pathos and strengthens the narrator’s tone at that particular time, so this is an example evocative. “ --so full of stupid importance.” 

This is an example of oxymoron and provides a deeper level of understanding.

“Often far away there I thought of these two, guarding the door of Darkness, knitting black wool as for a warm pall, one introducing, introducing continuously to the unknown, the other scrutinizing the cheery and foolish faces with unconcerned old eyes. Ave! Old knitter of black wool. Morituri te salutant. Not many of those she looked at ever saw her again--not half, by a long way.” 

This is an example of allusion due to the fact that it is alluding to the door of Darkness, but it also places images within the mind of the reader, which will cause personal connections to be made.

“I found myself back in the sepulchral city resenting the sight of people hurrying through the streets to filch a little money from each other, to devour their infamous cookery, to gulp their unwholesome beer, to dream their insignificant and silly dreams. They trespassed upon my thoughts.”

This an example of a flashback and gives the audience information about past events within a character’s life, which enriches their characterization.

“The fascination of the abomination.” 

A paradox is a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities. This quote struggles with these two contradictory ideals, which alludes to the idea of how sometimes we must accept that somethings just aren’t worth hoping for.

Characterization:

Direct characterization is when the author makes statements about a character's personality directly to the reader. 

Indirect characterization is when the author reveals the character's personality through that character's thoughts, words, or interactions with others.

Direct:

“I think the knowledge came to him at last — only at the very last. But the wilderness had found him out early, and had taken on him a terrible vengeance for the fantastic invasion. I think it had whispered to him things about himself which he did not know, things of which he had no conception till he took counsel with this great solitude — and the whisper had proved irresistibly fascinating. Anything approaching the change that came over his features I have never seen before, and hope never to see again. Oh, I wasn’t touched. I was fascinated. It was as though a veil had been rent. I saw on that ivory face the expression of somber pride, of ruthless power, of craven terror — of an intense and hopeless despair. Did he live his life again in every detail of desire, temptation, and surrender during that supreme moment of complete knowledge? He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision, — he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath — ‘The horror! The horror!” 

“And from right to left along the lighted shore moved a wild and gorgeous apparition of a woman. She walked with measured steps, draped in striped and fringed cloths, treading the earth proudly, with a slight jingle and flash of barbarous ornaments. She carried her head high; her hair was done in the shape of a helmet; she had brass leggings to the knee, brass wire gauntlets to the elbow, a crimson spot on her tawny cheek, innumerable necklaces of glass beads on her neck; bizarre things, charms, gifts of witchmen, that hung about her, glittered and trembled at every step. She must have had the value of several elephant tusks upon her. She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent; there was something ominous and stately in her deliberate progress. And in the hush that had fallen suddenly upon the whole sorrowful land, the immense wilderness, the colossal body of the fecund and mysterious life seemed to look at her, pensive, as though it had been looking at the image of its own tenebrous and passionate soul. Her face had a tragic and fierce aspect of wild sorrow and of dumb pain mingled with the fear of some struggling, halt-shaped resolve. She stood looking at us without a stir, and like the wilderness itself, with an air of brooding over an inscoutable purpose. A whole minute passed, and then she made a step forward. There was a low jingle, a glint of yellow metal, a sway of fringed draperies, and she stopped as if her heart had failed her. She looked at us all as if her life had depended upon the unswerving steadiness of her glance” 

Indirect:

“I saw him open his mouth wide. . . as though he had wanted to swallow all the air, all the earth, all the men before him.” 

“He was there below me, and, upon my word, to look at him was as edifying as seeing a dog in a parody of breeches and a featherhat, walking on his hind legs.” 

“All that mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the forest, in the jungles, in the hearts of wild men.” The author’s diction does change because he reacts to the different aspects of each character.

Marlow is a dynamic, round character because he changes as the story goes along. He is stuck between two evils and it drives him to make choice he wouldn’t have before the journey.

“You know I hate, detest, and can't bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appals me. There is a taint of death, a flavour of mortality in lies -which is exactly what I hate and detest in the world -what I want to forget. It makes me miserable and sick, like biting something rotten would do. Temperament, I suppose.” 

Honestly, I felt like I had met each of characters. I understood their emotions and reasoning, which made this book quite enjoyable to read!