Happy (almost) 2012! Yay for the End of The World!

So, the other night I came across a quote in a nice little ipad touch app about history AND by Percy Shelley (connnecctiooonnn! between brit lit and now haha)

History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man.
Percy Bysshe Shelley

#happytheworldwillendaccordingtothemayansbuthemayanshadchocolatesothatsgoodenoughforme
#thatuseofahashtagisjustforyouemily!

LOVE ESSAYS!!!!

Alright since I eat so much while I write essays. (Snacks ya know!) And I'm working on my essay right now I have come up with a brilliant way to write. Ok so here goes
1) your writing and your at a stand still so you..
2) lay down on the floor and start doing some situps or pushups or pullups or SOMETHING
3) you cant stop til you work out what your going to do next with this essay
4) figure it out and get back on the computer
I think this is going to help me a ton so far its been good and I don't feel so bad for snacking the whole time .. or as bad lol :) So yeah sorry about this tangent that actually has nothing to do with my actual essay! :P

Second Draft Here You Come!

Our 2 Min Hate

So I heard the other day that during a campaign gathering the candidate mentioned bombing Iran and the crowd cheered. That made me think back to the 2 minute hate scene in 1984. It made me a little sick. We think our society is so different but it seems like Orwell's predictions aren't as far off as they may seem.

Vocab

My dad & lil bro are watching a gun show, I don't know what it actually is but its talking about guns and they used the word adventagious and College English you jumped into my mind. This would be a good vocab word!! Also I was at pratice today and I used a metaphore that related to essay writing it made me laugh a little bit but also made me sad I mean what kind of lame perso thinks of essays while GG is talking about our ending stunt serries! I just dont know I guess I do! :)

Working- Citation

Can the citation given to me from a database be trusted? I hope so. That would make my life a lot easier.

Things Just Got Real....and It's Not Even 2 AM Yet

WOW so I just realized that the FINAL DRAFT of the argument essay is due Tuesday. I thought it was the 2nd DRAFT, as in we had one more draft yet to do. Nope, I actually have to be DONE, Finished, Finite, there is no "Da Capo" this is "Fine". I am a bit taken aback right now.

Yoga en la manana?

So i have decided that since we all stressed and pissy at the moment, Stariha should start a morning yoga thing once a week in the morning...it would be great because: 1) yoga is fun 2) yoga is relaxing 3) uh yes, we just should...also i was thinking about track the other day and how we always used to do yoga with Stariha and how relaxingly awesome it was! so, yes...that's my idea for the week.
Happy (almost) 2012!

Break... Whatever that Means

Well there's one more week of break and I have no homework. Actually let me rephrase that- I haven't made any progress on any College English homework which is the only class I have homework in. That sounds good and dandy if you didn't know that there are 4 different assignments in that class to finish in this next week (which I'm sure you are all aware of). Is anyone else having a hard time kicking their butt into gear? I have tried multiple times to get stuff done but I just can't focus! Part of me thinks "Oh it's just break" but when I look at it I was having the same problem before break. I can't write anymore, I just can't elaborate on topics, I'm stuck. I had a hard time doing that in the first essay and wasn't surprised when I got a lower grade than I'd like. With the argument essays I couldn't think of what to say and wasn't surprised at all when she told me I need to develop my ideas further. I think I'm just burned out. I hate to say that but I really think it's the case. I'm not talking Senioritis because I'm honestly trying to work but my mind has just quit. It sucks. I want to good I really do I'm just having a hard time putting my thoughts together and can't seem to think clearly! A break would be good but I am on "break" and clearly it's no break between friends, family, and homework demanding my attention. I need to be completely isolated for a week with no one and nothing. Then I may be ready to return to my usual functioning self. One more thought- when the heck am I suppose to have time to fill out scholarships?? Sorry for that rant.

1984

So I am not sure if we were suppost to read through book one in 1984, I realy dont want to get behind .. well more ehind than I already am so... anyone have an answer?

Christimas

So I just remembered that Jen Hannah and I and I guess Christian have a present of sorts for you! Its unique dont worry bout it but I hope you like it and that this post counts even though it is not productive! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE :)

Of Books and Christmas......

Well first off I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas! I know that it has snuck up on me this year, it seriously does not feel like Christmas time at all. Secondly, I can not believe what an interesting book 1984 has been! I have been trying to keep up reading it and I have not had a problem getting into it at all. So once again I hope that everyone is enjoying thier break. Merry Christmas!

Portfolio

So, I'm ready to show Stariha that you CAN create a good video portfolio! Finally something that I can do that I can honestly say that I like.

Suicide due to history... or the lack of it

So i know this isn't a light topic at all, but I want you guys to think about something.
I was talking to a friend of mine, and she told me an idea that her husband has... not really an idea but rather a 'stance on a subject' that he has. He believes that the teen suicide rate is so very high because we have told teenagers (and everyone for that matter) that they can do anything. And what is our history highlighted on? The good things! You hear of those guys that did something bad, and you hear of mistakes, but usually that is muddled behind a HUGE success, or a BRILLIANT idea. We have almost CHANGED THE HISTORY of those before us to tell the younger generations (Our generations) that they can do anything, just look at so-and-so, they built this awesome building, they cured cancer, they created airplanes WHATEVER. We always show these generations what the good things are that people can do.. but what does that do to the kids in our society that fail? What does it look and feel like that everyone before us could do things, but we fail... and society is screaming at us that we can do anything that we want to do, when in fact we CAN'T!!! Sometime we have our limitations... and what choice do we give them when we laugh at their in-capabilities just because we have painted this idea that nothing is impossible...?

Just a thought.

Changing History

yes. I think that the government could go into our past and change what we believe. As soon as yesterdays 'history' no. but definitely from years ago, or maybe on nearer topics but of those that we are very poorly informed on. It is not very difficult to convince a naive person of something... now is it?

50 YEARS LAAAATTTEEEERRR (in a ghostly whisper)

So I don't know about you guys, but when I envision the future, its a lot of white. A lot of clean, sterile surfaces, and a lot of blankness. Our 'brilliant' scientist and inventors will come up with ways of having things... without needing things. Or creating ways of not needing things all together. I don't think we will run down the rotten hole that the nineteen eighty four guy is talking about... Maybe eventually, but I don't think in fifty years they could!? I think that there will be too many strong heads to allow something like that to happen, I mean, just look at our College English class. Don't try to tell them that they raised the ration of chocolate to 20 grams, because they will CLEARLY spit back in your face that it was in fact LOWERED to 20 grams. Its like Dylan Thomas says 'do not go gently'. I don't think we would... or that we could.. for we have had INDEPENDENCE printed into our minds since we were verrry young.
So back to what I was saying. I think that we will have wars, yes, but I think (and hope) that it is more of a safe war... like to protect us, not the greedy wars that we encounter today...
So that is mostly my insight

STARIHA!!!

PLEASE
PLEASE
PLEASE
SEND MY ESSAY BACK TO ME?
how am I supposed to get a second draft when I don't my first one back?
pretty please with sugar and christmas cookies on top?

50 Years Later

This is a little late but here goes...

Eventual international relations have led to a near isolation of America. These relations have led to a massive split of the US people; those who want a reformed government, and those who don't. This split eventually leads to a second American Civil war that ends with most of the major metropolitan areas being nuked. North Korea uses their Nuclear arsenal to start a nuclear war now that the US is out of the way. This results in most of the Northern Hemisphere becoming a wasteland covered in nuclear winter. The Southern Hemisphere however, has become the refuge of many Americans and Europeans resulting in a rise of new world powers, mainly Brazil and Australia.
Place yourself into this world and try to survive.

I tried to keep this a realistic as possible.

:( .... :)

So this is going to be a post about my day and the overwelming..ness of all the stuff I need to get done and how i am doing none of them now lol ...
~ the lack of snow
~ the guitar song that I have to sing/play (any ideas?)
~ the argument essay
~ the controversal issue presentation
~ the portfolio
~ my psychology project
~ 3 & 4 hr pratices
~ my room that needs to be cleaned
~ and the people that im not seeing ! :(
Alright there it is lol but
CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE!!!!! :)

..=[

... i reallly need my rough draft back .

PlEASE SEE THIS MRS.STARIHA

50 years later... finally

If you woke up in fifty years you would find that...

-The upper peninsula would have split itself for Michigan forming its own state
-Quebec would be in revolt trying to split from Canada
-California would have sank into the Pacific
-Hawaii would have a new island
-The IRA would control Britain
-Stariha would be in a rest home
-Japan would be abandoned because of radiation
-China would have over grown its borders and spread as far as India
-Oil stores would be almost gone forcing gas prices to $20 a gallon and making ethanol the main source of fuel
-Stores would employ robots and computers as staff instead of humans
-Bridges would connect America to Europe
-North Vietnam and South Vietnam would be at war again this time without US intervention
- Donald Trump would have successfully cloned himself and be making his seventh failed run at president
-The sea level will have dropped by three foot world wide
-Snow fall will be at a record high in the US making travel impossible for half the country
-Al-Qaeda would have been eliminated only to be replaced by Buddhist extremist
-The Red Cross would provide record amounts of care to third-world countries
-The Salvation Army would feed more and more homeless every year due to increased donations

At least, that's how I imagine it.

H I S T O R Y

So here is my post about our history.
I had never thought about it until now.
And now that I think about it there is no doubt in my mind that history has been altered and fabricated.
It makes me kind of sad too.
Everything is kind of a lie. (Like not that dramatically but you know what I'm sayin')
Everybody views everything differently so of course things are going to be a little modified.

History

I know that this is a little late but oh well I wanted to put my two sense in about history. History is the combination of viewpoints that has been handed down through the years through mouth, paper, inscriptions and so forth. There is not a doubt in my mind that history has been altered through out time to suit the purpose of the victor or significant persons in charge. Never once do you hear about the common people who were the back bone of society. They are the figures and numbers in modern day text books. Today, our trust in the past relies solely on the trust we have of professors and scholars who compose the books we read. In some capacity we lose what really happened. By the way, what truly is history? What is the true version?

I want a Sloth for Christmas.

I have decided that no longer are Hedgehogs the cutest thing ever...it's the sloth.
This is the best thing ever...they are soo cute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JTAtsHh-yc

History?

So I forgot what we were supposed to write about the history and all that but I definitely believe that some of our history is fabricated. All history has been written by some bias person at some point. Whether it was the person first recording it or the translator or even the teacher, there is always some bias to it. Every story told is going to have different sides to it, just like how books and movies always do that "story from this other persons viewpoint" Like Beastly or how in Twilight Breaking Dawn, they switch between Bella and Jacob viewpoints and it's a different side of the story then. That's like history, the story will be different depending on who tells it. Thus, I feel like some of our history is fabricated. I really don't think any of that made sense...but oh well. Happy Christmas Break (:

controversial issue & senior portfolio & history

so emily is a brilliant student and volunteered us to go first. i mean, i'm okay with going first. just this break is gonna be super busy so idk how we're gonna find time to do it all and do it really good? oh well? and for the senior portfolio i really wanna do something cool. like not a powerpoint. but i havent been feeling very creative lately. so who knows.

and i'm not sure what we are supposed to write about history or whatever. but i really think everyone has said everything their needs to be said. i do think its kinda scary though..that we believe whatever is in the books or whatever teachers or whoever tell us. its pretty crazy how much we believe everything we hear....

Behind the scenes of history

As you all know historic events tend to have a solid storyline we all know and dread or love. Well to these stores many key things are left out. One of witch great old Mr Heiney seemed to talk about every time George Washington was brought up. While in a battle during the french and Indian war George Washington had two horses shot out from under him and his coat was filled with bullet holes. Why this is left out I don't know but this chaos doesn't end there. I could go on and on. I am doing a little research while I am writing this I am finding that a lot of our presidents were free Masons and that this country that we thought was based on god really isn't, just look at the dollar bill witch contains seals that some of our very first presidents designed. It contains symbols of other religions. If you take time to research you can easily get confused but the main point is that even in the beginning of our nation secrets and hidden messages are weaved into just about everything. Our government can hide things from us if they feel it is for the good of the people.....well who decides what is for the good of the people.....surely not the people but the government. Anything they wish can be hidden...or at least released to the public at a later date. I am positive that history is corrupt because it is a story told behind one persons or nations perspective. If we were to go to a different country say Brittan and learn about the American revolution we would find their description little different then ours. We learn that we were fighting for our freedom, but there we were rebels against the king. This shows that stores in history have more then one side and that what is shown to the public is often one sided. My conclusion is the history we learn is propaganda in itself and that all tho history is important we shouldn't take what we hear in without checking it out from all perspectives and keeping open minded.

Twisting my Brain

Well I'm definitely in the group of people that are slightly puzzled over the history situation. I'm beginning to see what Matt said about someone along the line being objective on some subjects. It's like when we looked at America's coverage of the Wikileaks scandal and then the foreign new broadcast. It all depends on the source... so shouldn't some things be more accurate than others? The scary thing is that it is always the issues that involve us that we are misguided on.

My Brain Hurts...

Am I the only one who finds trying to grasp the whole 1984 "what is truth" concept, completely confusing? It becomes even more taxing on the mind once you start applying it to the real world. Then again I could just be paranoid... Either way, it's confusing.

truth

I feel like our discussion on history the other day was exactly about history, but more so a discussion on what we take as truth. Or if we believe in truth in general. I feel like truth is more of a subjective term than objective. What really is truth, is it the fact that if you drop an apple it will fall to the ground... but if you are standing in a pool of water and drop an apple, will that fall directly to the ground? Truth is a matter of position in combination with belief. The view from which you are seeing a situation happen, and then what you believe that certain situation.

man of man, this will... be continued.

#havetoeatdinner

history in the making?

Our history could be fiction but then how would all or history books explain life? I am not talking about our history book for class but more about the bible. If our history is not true then we are saying that the bible, or any other type of religious teachings are untrue. I don't see how this can be. I just can't believe that the religious teachings are false and have been rectified to lean one way.

this probably makes no sense because to be honest i don't even understand it myself!

1984

i do not like this book. i can't seem to get into it at all..idk. maybe x-mas break might put a little of hard work into myself. maybe.? but uhh, i'm excited for the senior portfolio...because it seems really fun and really EASY! so yes. i am excited!

one lil comment...

is anyone else having trouble leaving comments? because i just tried to leave one and it for some reason wont let me..

sad i know.
:(

History....?

History is one of my favorite subjects, I love it! I find it to be extremely interesting, but the discussion we had in class yesterday made me think about it in a way I never have before. Is there really no such thing as truth? Can we not recognize it? Part of me says that it has to be somewhere out there, and maybe that's why I find historians so amazing because their work is to seek out truth, but the truth they're seeking has been dead for centuries, and what they look for are recordings of the past, but there is no way for us to be sure that what ever has been written is real, or hasn't been "lost in translation" along the way. But I can't seem to not believe in it, I mean its obvious that specific events have happened and have been attempted to be recorded unbiased but they still happened right? Anyways I'm realizing this whole blog is just a rant and probably doesn't make much sense but I am far too lazy to go back and try to make any sense of it, so who ever read all the way down to here, props to you!

blog title.

sooooo i finally got that email stariha sent me to be apart of this blog.. i dont understand why this thing doesnt like my email account, or what cause this happened last year too. but oh well,
and now on to other things like yesterdays blog that was required? with this whole history deal.. there was a quote in 1984 that i really liked;

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls that past."

to me this pretty much states it all, the ones who are at a high position, such as the president that truly knows the facts on mostly everything that goes on in America has the control on whether or not us Americans will ever know about it..and if we are granted the right to know about it then how much of it were being told is true and what are they choosing not to tell us? i believe such a power should not be granted unto one person but like emily said in class yesterday, we the people dont exactly stand up to "the man" because we either dont care, were intimedated or in all honesty because we believe that our government is being honest with us and would lie to us. how can our government expect us to do the right things all the time, when they arent exactly doing the same in return?

Ideas for Portfolio

I really want to do a scrapbook for my senior portfolio but I'm thinking a lot of other people are going to do them too? I just want mine to be a little more original. Does anyone know any other ideas besides scrapbooks and PowerPoint?

Questioning History

Thinking about the idea that history might not be history at all, but instead stories made up by people over time is confusing and hard to comprehend. I'm glad that our history has been fairly well documented because if I sat up at night wondering whether or not men like Abraham Lincoln actually were kind and honest, always having the best interest of others in mind actually existed, life would become extremely complicated.

Going over the portfolio outline today was fun, I'm excited to get started! I just don't know if I'm going to do a scrapbook or powerpoint... did she ever say which one she prefers?

2011 - 27 years

I'm liking the start of 1984.  Compared to other books I've read (Dracula and The Stand) the plots moving along quite quickly.  For some reason, this book reminds me a bit of Fahrenheit 451 and The Giver.  It better not have a sucky ending like the giver did...

I know 3rd Post in a Row I'm Lame

But I would like to say I absoutley love 1984! I don't know what everyone is talking about a slow beginning I don't see it or don't mind I guess, because so far its just a good book that I would most likley read even if it wasn't assigned to me!!! :) makes reading so much more enjoyable when the book is written in normal english!!!!!

another question ... :P

So just curious but does anyone know when were going to be assigned our presentation dates for the controversal issue presentation??? Cause that would help me plan greatley I have a TON of things to finnish over this break that may not feel like much of a break !!!

:) ... sorry for asking so many questios .. :)

Question that wants an Answered!!! (please)

Alright so I would love to know how to do this biblography thing, (and yes I spelt that wrong I believe and I appologize) but yes if you are totally awesome and know could you enlighten me or somethin? :) THANKS!!!

Puzzling Thoughts

I silently listened to the discussion of my classmates around me. Everyone was so engaged in the conversation taking place, impatiently waiting until it was their turn to present new ideas. The class discussed the credibility of every detail in History. Was it more of a story, than facts? I didn't know. I gazed upon the different faces around the room and watched as some would suddenly brighten at a new passing idea in their mind. Each person's opinion was continuously being built off from by the next person's input. Although the subject was one that caught my interest, there was a greater issue weighing upon my mind. Just the mere thought of presenting my ideas on a subject in front of the class made me shudder. If I was called on, what was I to do? I tried to focus on what I would say but I had learned to be afraid of what I might come up with. It seemed as if every time I was called on, I came up with an idea so different from everyone else's that I felt like I was inferior...always wrong. Someone always seemed to shoot down my idea, or come up with one so much more developed, mine was left in the dust. So unintentionally distracting myself from each valid point being made in the conversation, I swiftly picked up a pen and began to jot down different ideas that flew through my mind. I always related this process with putting together a puzzle. Each passing thought represented another piece to the puzzle, it had a purpose and meaning for being there, but unless it was placed in it's rightful position, it was useless. It was hard not to envy how quickly everyone else was describing the scenes in front of them, while I still struggled to find the pieces that were missing from mine. As I looked harder I began to find the missing pieces, and the scene finally appeared before my eyes. But by the time I found each piece and put it in it's rightful place, everyone else had put their 'old' puzzles away and started a new one. It was as if I was running in a race in which every competitor had an advantage over me. They ran upon the track, while I was left to push through the hot summer sand.

"Okay, now find a quote in the first page of the article that you either agree or disagree with. Go!"

The Teacher's voice pulled me back into reality. I quickly skimmed through the article nervously trying to find a statement that stuck out to me. After getting near the middle, my heart pounded faster afraid that I would not find a statement I would be able to create conversation over.

"Alright, times up. What did you guys come up with?"

The class again seemed to have the full picture while I only had a vague shape or two in my mind. I continued to read until I came upon a statement that intrigued me.

"Regardless of the value of these many lessons, History isn't what happened, but the stories of what happened and the lessons these stories include." I had finally located my quote. The conversation continued around me, while I searched for what I would say if I was called on. I again became consumed in my thoughts, but this time I directed them towards describing the picture in front of me.

'How reliable is History? Do we ever really know the exact details? We can only learn about the past through writings, and people's opinions of the events around them. But knowing the absolute truth about an event doesn't matter as much as learning from any mistakes made during it. Although it is through different perspectives, history is still accurate about the outcome of an event. The accuracy of the smaller details in the event aren't as important as paying attention and learning from the mistakes made. Like...Foreign Affairs. America apparently didn't learn their lesson even though they were warned in the passed to stay away from foreign affairs due to past complications. Instead of learning from past mistakes made, America got involved in more foreign affairs leading to a meaningless War that could have been easily avoided.'

The sound of the bell ringing brought me back from my thoughts. Now that I had put the puzzle together, class was over and it mattered no longer. No matter how hard I tried to improve on finding the pieces faster and finishing the puzzle first, someone always beat me to it. When others seemed to be staring at the same puzzle, I felt as if I were looking at something similar, only warped. It was as if they saw a man sitting in a boat with a fishing pole on a lake, and I saw a lake with a boat containing a man holding a fishing pole. Although it is the same image, they see the man as if it's the main object, and I see the lake as if it's the main object. I shook my head and let out a deep sigh...maybe with time everyone would realize that we all see the same sky...but in different shades of blue.

Author's Note: (hahaha...)

I realize I probably switched tenses a few times, and this is quite long so it will most likely be overlooked. I just thought I would put some of my thoughts down on paper, and instead of boring you with an essay format...I would bore you with a story instead. =) hahaha...

knocked out cold

So i have been told that today we talked about government conspiracies. I would have loved to be there when this topic was discussed but as you know i wasnt at school today sad to say i wasnt skipping this time I was home resting because of a concussion. I hope tomorrows topic is just as interesting.

Discovery!

I have recently discovered that when ever I try to post at home it just saves as a draft instead of posting to the blog, so I guess I'll have to update from school from now on. Ahh frustrating.

Anyways I also forgot what exactly we were suppose to blog about? All I know is this class is really making me think about things I didn't before, like propaganda, and our government. It's definitely making me question everything we've been taught. Not in a bad way, just a hmm..I didn't think about that before.

In honor of Kurt... and Jen

This is in honor of Kurt, because he liked putting pictures on the blog. And for Jen, because she said she liked these animals... I think it was this animal at least...

Class Discussion

I'm really getting into Orwell's theme of 1984. I think it's frightening how real his prediction is. Oceania's lies are built on hatred and Big Brother's hunger for power and loyalty. Big Brother's lies are then accepted by the citizens because of their fear. People are most volnerable and easily confused when their scared. They need to be reassured they have someone to watch over them and are willing to accept anything that might provide that sense of security. Even if it's a false sense. I really think that's how our government is working now in order to cover the cruel reprocossions of their actions. They want us to feel scared and vulnerable so that thier actions will seem reasonable steps towards our security.

history

uhhh... i kinda forgot what we were suppose to blog about... uhhhhhhhhhhhh . crap :/ well i thought todays discussion was really interesting because like its true i never thought about history in that way but its not just fact its used to influence people to feel a certain way about a event by the eyes its being told in .. maybe we are being tricked by the government lol idkk (:

Ugly Christmas Sweater Friday?

Wear an ugly christmas sweater on friday!
(yes, I know the bball team is doing this...but i had the idea first! hahah)
Cause we want to get the entire senior class in ugly christmas sweaters, how cool would that be?
also, ugly sweaters are usually the comfiest (:

Senior Year... Oh Good Golly

Is it sad I need a break already? I'm Pooped with a capital P! We haven't even gotten into the real work in College English and I slowing down! Think about it though... we're pretty much down with senior year... weird right? Soon when we do have more assignments to worry about time will be flying by! As ready as I am to graduate I can't help wanting time to slow down just a little bit! Well I'm sorry to get all nostalgic on you but I really had nothing else to blog about and it was on my mind. All I can say is I hope our senior year doesn't go as cheesily as "Glee's" senior year. To my friend that know I'm an off and on watcher- consider me out once again. Boring.

Clueless but not mindless...

After looking at the calendar for college english, i discovered that the bibliography paper is due friday.  much to my dismay, I am at a loss of how to accomplish this.  Does anyone else remember or know how to do a bibliography?

Screw it, its google time

...bibbbs

uhhh ... bibliographys are due friday and i feel sooo behind i wonder if the rest of my group has done all of theirs.. im going to try to do most of the research tonight and then ill just turn in my reserch with the rest of my groups... hopefully?

Bibliography?

So is the Controversial Issue bibliography due on friday?
cause oh man, I need to cracking on that if it is.

o me o life essay results

welll ,i got an 8 not that anyone reallly cares but yeah i have to say im not to disconent by it , i of course want a 10 but i wasnt even expecting that because i had just written the essay the whole night before just writing , no planning or proof reading after i had written it (sorry mrs.stariha) i was in a rush but next time ill follow the draft planning steps more. lol but that shows me that if i had taken the extra time an planne dit more i could have at least been an 9 or mayybe even 10 and with all her helpful tips im sureee if i work hard enough my writing will reach the level i want.

.. you wake up 50 years later

.. waking up i feel around me , the bed feels the same but as i slowly open my eyes i have no recognition of my surroundings, the room i once held dear and grew up in is now turned into a all glass room looking out onto a city that looks a science fiction movie, i pinch myself hoping its a dream but i am dissapointed to realize it is all reality, as i slowly get up i look at my self in the reflection of the glass windows and see myself in a form i dont recognize, i am old and wrinkly, i start to wonder how i ended up this way as i walk around my room i try racking my brain for what happened before i went to sleep for which seems like 50 years, as i walk around i see a box under my bed, i quickly crouch down and pull it out from under my bed, as i lift the top off it i see pictures and medical reports of myself i assume; i look throough the picture and am horrified by what i see, it slowly starts coming back to me, the last thing i remember was getting in a car crash and being rushed to the hospital, i look at the pictures, there are gashes all over my face and body & a huge dent on the side of my head with a large cut going through it i am covered in blood, i reach up and i feel the scar, i can remember the crash more clearly now, as i continue reading i realize i must have been in a coma, theres a picture of my mom and friends crying next to my bed, it says they pulled the plug 50 years ago , im confused, how am i still alive... is this heaven ... hell? ilook again and see a scientific release form for my body for a new experimentation which apparently they were looking for a way to reconstruct a human and bring life into it.. now i feel like frankenstein ... but i look normal... this is crazy , i walk outside to get a breath of fresh air and take in all of this jaw dropping information and begin to explore the new world around me..

Stariha Dearest.....

My beloved Ms. Stariha,

I would like to inquire of you why you have not yet sent to my electronic mail box an essay that I have written about Walt Whitman's poem "O Me! O Life!" Of course it is not the essay that I desire, for I already have that tucked away withing my electronic archives. What I covet, you see, is the wonderful commentary you have made in response to reading my work.

If you would be so kind as to contact me in reference to the status of the essay previously mentioned, I would be much obliged.

Thank you for your time.

Your ever loving student,

Laura Persenaire (and I assume Brianna Sterken As well)

1984

I'm really liking this book. At first it was hard to get past the first couple pages but then it started to grab my attention more. Now I can't wait to really get into it!(:

it might work now....

So maybe it isn't blogger.com that is freaking out... it might be my computer... I sure hope so!
(I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT HOUR)

Clueless

I honestly don't get this whole blog posting thing.

I mean...in Creative Writing it was so easy, simple, and FUN!!!

But yeah...I never know what is going to be said when I post on here.

P.S.

I am loving the 1984 Book...

But personally, I think that whole 'varicose ulcer' is disgusting.

1984

holy crap, i thought this book was going to be really boring, but it is probably the best book i have read in forever, i cant stop reading it. Its awesome how it portrays government and the power government has over its people both physically and psychologically.

1984

I was thinking that it would be really hard to write a book about the future becasue you have absolutely no idea what it will look like. Who would have known that computers would have advanced this far fifty years ago or how far along phones have come or anything for that matter!

"Oh Me! Oh Life!"

I'm pretty happy with my 8.5 on my "Oh Me! Oh Life!" essay(: Hopefuly my writting improves a lot more with her advice. I'm definetely aiming for a 9/9.5 on my argument essay.

Thank You Ms. Stariha!

I would just like to thank you Ms. Stariha for being sick today.
Nah I'm just kiddin.
I hope you feel better!
But I am really glad we had another day to work on our essays.
I feel a lot better about it now!
:D

Ahh Monday

Mrs. Stariha we hope you feel better. Does anyone know why it wont let me comment? It would let me all last week really. Oh well I will keep trying. Any insight let me know. READY FOR 1984!!

1984

As I walked down the sidewalk on a hot summer day, I embraced the sweet rays of sun caressing my cheeks. Although the early afternoon air was refreshing, and the trees a beautiful sight, my eyes were focused on only the book that I held in my hands:1984.

Delay

I'm glad our argument essay isn't due until tomorrow!(: Now i can work on it longer and improve it. Does anyone know how long our first draft has to be?

Controversial Topic

I feel as though I'm overwhelming myself with all that is available online. Just mindlessly skimming through articles and sending them to myself for a later date. I hope they contain information that I actually need. Why must the Internet be so complex?!

Argument Research

Does anyone know if there is a minimum # of bibliography sources for our essay. I have about 5 so I'm probably just paranoid, but I would like to know either way.

I didn't order that...

Hopefully everyone else is finding their info. There seems to be an overflow of irrelevant information on the internet. Oh well, back to skimming and scouring. Cant wait to start 1984, haven't really read anything in the past few weeks.

Woahh

I have no idea how this happened but I guess I am on this !!! and now I'm so happy and I am going to be blogging away to hopefully make up these past two weeks of none blogging!!! But I am still feeling for Mallory who can not get on to the blog! I am sorry!

CREDIT?!

So has anyone found out the answer if this rough draft is credit no credit or if it is actually a grade? I really hope it is just credit because I had to kinda rap my paper up quick and I would have worked on it longer EXCEPT I ALREADY SENT IT TO HER! How silly would I look if I e-mail Stariha and say "please disregard original essay... I didn't put enough thought or effort into it, and I would like to edit it a bit more before you read it and start weeping at its pitifulness" ( I know that's not a word.. but its the only word that explains what I am feeling) no... I don't think I will do that. So I hope its just credit.
p.s. Stariha... I did try... I just know its not as good as it could be.

I am with Lucas on this field trip thing... except wouldn't they need to be called incentives now??? Because "field trips" aren't educational? Of course I am TOTALLY game for a trip that isn't educational... like just a class period where we go and get ice cream but we write it off as... experiencing the freedom of today vs. the lack of freedom in the book 1984... sounds good? I THINK YES!

Lucas Landis on College English

so i totally wrote my argumentive essay this morning and now its not due cause stariha isnt here. DUMB! i worked hard at that for like ever, but its ok cause now i get to wok on it again. I really think that this class is gonna be super fun. i just dispise all of the writing. im excited to read 1984, i really like reading. Ok not really but it sounded like something good to say. Also we should have a feild trip to the Grand Canyon! I have never seen the grand canyon thats why, but i really think a feild trip is an awesome idea! anyone think so?

Watch the attitude problem...

I am at home sick today, as most of you probably know by now.  But I wanted to touch base with you all on attitude... careful of unhealthy venting/whining.  It is counterproductive.  When the stress level gets high, you need to keep spirits and energy up.  Sorry about not posting Jake's essay.  I forgot until I read Kaitlin's post, but it was at school, so I couldn't do anything about it.  I will post it when I get back.  In the meantime, remember that this is a rough draft.  Try to keep life in perspective here... and if an essay has you stumped, free write, brainstorm, or walk away for a while.  Hope you have a good work session with your controversial issues groups today.  Tomorrow we delve into Orwell! Yeah!

So I was just on this other blog and there was this quote that said "you cant just sit around and wait for things to happen, you have to make things happen". Well this really made me think of my papers for college engligh, sometimes I just think that maybe if I sit here and stare at the computer screen for long enough that the paper will write itself. Sadly, papers never write themselves :(... oh well. But they sort of do when you get to write about football players...? :)

Sooo, the title of my essay is "meatheads or misunderstood beings", ha I'm kinda excited about it.

#footballplayers

Meow!

Grrr!
I'm really frustrated with this essay.
I just don't get how this is supposed to be different than a persuasive essay.
I know we talked about it but it still doesn't make sense.
I don't understand the format.
And I thought Stariha was gonna put Jake's essay up there as a student example?
Hmmm?
I can't find it.
And I'm trying to do research and I'm finding a lot of information and I don't know what to use or if it even goes with my topic or what.
Boo!

Stumped and Unsatisfied.

Well this paper couldn't be going worse. No, I take that back. Of course it could be going worse but right now it feels about as low as it can get. I keep hitting dead ends. I start a paragraph and then just run out of things to say and I can't come up with fluff like I use to be able to. I'm at 2 pages and am trying to figure out what to do with the paper. I know exactly what I need but have no idea or confidence to get me there. I'm glad this is a rough draft... but I'm also concern that I am getting too use to this revising method. I use to be able to write an essay... just like that... with the first draft only needing slight revision. I don't know what happened but it makes me sad.

!Overload!

I am sooo stressed.
I knew this was going to happen.
I have been dreading College English for so long and now its here and everything I feared is happening.
We have so much happening at once.
I'm so busy during the weekdays.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WRITE A STINKIN PAPER UNTIL THE WEEKEND!
And the weekend is supposed to be my time to recharge.
No such luck!
I have spent allll daaay working on calculus, personal finance, and now college english.
It's just too much for me.
I don't know if I can do this for the rest of the year.
I think I am going to cry :'(

Topic Shmopic

I'm having issues with my argumentative essay. I had a topic picked out, that wasn't on the list, and now I'm trying to pick one on the list but I can't really connect with any of the topics, it's very frustrating, especially since I have to have this thing written by tonight grrrr

Essay.

So my essay rough draft won't be in MLA format due to the fact that we dont have word at my house and I hand wrote it all. I hope thats not a huge deal..

paper...

well idk how good this rough draft is gonna be, but i hope you don't expect much Stariha because I am kind of sucking at this paper right now...

essssaaay

oh man this argument essay reallly snuck up on me i need to get a lot of research and my rough draft done today .. well todays gonna suck lol .. & i should probably research the controversial issue tooo .. welll time to get to work .. im soo ready for it to be christmas break already /:

My Work Day: Sunday

Well usually my Sundays can be completely dedicated to essays. I usually convince my parents I have to much work to do to go to church and instead stay home so that I can begin procrastinating early on in the day. Today, for example, I got out of church but made/ate french toast (the best french toast I have EVER made mind you) for the entire hour I would have been at church. See, I'm not very productive early on. Now I'm starting (well hopefully) yet I keep thinking this is not my usual work day Sunday. You see I have a darn concert today... and I'm not really sure what time it's at but I know it's going to be right in the middle of my creative flow and I won't be able to bounce back to my paper with ease. I'm also thinking about changing the subject of my paper which doesn't matter too much because I haven't started but I'm questioning whether its a creative leap I should take. All I know is that I keep looking outside my window and thinking "This would all be ok if we had snow."

Teesha's thoughts??

FINALLY!!!

I got the blog to work!!! =D

Anyways...I just thought I would share a few of my thoughts on things we have discussed in class.

First of all...that Poem was very confusing. I understood the overall meaning of the Poem, but I believe it can still be interpreted in different ways. My essay explained all of that though. =P

The Controversial Issues will be very interesting during this class because we have some very loud, outspoken people. =P I don't really know if that's the best way to explain that, but hopefully we all have the ability to conduct ourselves in a mature manner. I think the class needs to really work on actually listening to each other. Everyone gets SO caught up in what they want to say next, that they aren't really even listening to the other sides of things. I believe that this isn't going to help anyone learn anything...we all have to be willing to listen. Besides...if we don't take the chance to listen, how are we going to learn?

Oh...and that whole Animal Testing issue...I don't know if I can handle that. Just a warning for everyone...I know I will probably cry through the whole thing. hahaha.... even what we talked about in class the other day, just broke my heart. I wouldn't want to hear about people being tortured or anything like that...and not animals either. It's just..ugh...anyways. =P hahaha...

I'm eating soup. =)

response when class gets out of hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U7Lqwl3Vzk&feature=related

title

So I sure hope Stariha was being serious when she said we could write a satirical piece, like the modest proposal, because I am sure having some fun talking about football players. I think that this essay isnt going to be as ... scary as what I was expecting, but the controversial issue stuff, oh man WW3. :) Just kidding, I think that it will be a good time, very educational.
#favoriteclassever

Let's finish this...by starting this!

Having a hard time finding out which topic I should write on for the argument essay. Starting to narrow down some of the choices.

Curse ye Procrastination!

So, here I am. All pumped up and ready to actual do this stinkin' paper annnd here's Maddie's nice blog post about Disney Songs so, of course, I click on the link. And now, here I am on some Loyola Blog, the Spanish 3 Blog, this Blog, tumblr, facebook, shopping for christmas, annnnnddd no start to my paper. Procrastination: you suck.

7 Disney Songs that Explain Procrastination

I don't know if posting a blog with a link to another blog is cheap or not but I figured you would all enjoy this post as much as I did. Check it out-

http://blogs.luc.edu/uao/2011/12/07/7-disney-songs-that-explain-my-process-of-procrastination/

Reseeearch....

Sooo I'm hoping that once Ireally dig into research I will be able to find some good sources and get a lot of information... today in the library, I started getting overwhelmed by all of the different options we have for study resources.

Argument Essay... ?

So I'm not sure what I want to do for my topic.... I'm thinking I should either do "Participating in team sports helps develop good character" or "To encourage healthy eating, higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk food". Both of them are things that I could easily argue and that I would be interested in learning more about (through research). I think I will ask my parents, and see which one they find more interesting.. then they might actually WANT to edit my essay. lol

so..

i was really excited for college english. and i mean, i still am. but...
i hate how much everyone talks.?
like i'm gonna be really, really pissed if i get marked down on my presentation if people can't stop talking?
but it's okay. i think we just need to learn to calm down, a tad bit.
:)

One More Thing

I'm looking forward to break, only ONE MORE WEEK!:D Anyways, i think i'll get off the blog now and actually do some of my essay.

Monday

I'm really hoping this rough draft that's due Monday is simply a credit no credit assignment?(: That would totally awesome!

Argument Essay

I'm not sure the topic for my argument essay is very interesting, "A Post Secondary Education Should Be Mandatory." On the bright side I know I have enough information and sources to back up my argument. It's great we have so much time to work on it though!

Finally!

I'm finally on the blog now, yaaay! So i guess now i have to do my blog and comment for last week, this week and the extra credit for both...

please

I don't mean to be anul abut this.. but it really bugs me that Noah, Kendra, and Garrett all left their names lowercase while the rest of us put the first letter as capitols... does this make me OCD?

IT WORKS!!! :D

I am very happy to announce that I made it onto the blog! I am a veryyyy happy camper right now.

So does anyone know if we are getting graded on our first draft of the Argumentitive essay? I hope not. I feel like the first one should be like a cushion and it wouldn't hurt our grade at all... not that we have any grades IN at this point :)

It is a lot harder to blog when we arn't reading anything because then there is much less to talk about... just saying :D

week 2;

welll i have say that this week has been pretty easy and i think im getting the feel for how college english is goin to be , i wont die ! lol i just hope i get good grades now, i can already tell that i will be working on many things over christmas break along with cheer practice... you could barely even calll it a break but whatever .(:

research;;

well i think that the research for the two projects we are working on right now will be a lot more organized than essays past and hopefully willl assist in a more focused and clear essay too! im also kinda excited to write this paper, i feel like i have a lot of good points and so the only challenging part will be getting enough research on each of the subtopics and writing the actuall essay because i can be a procrastinator :p

Ugh... Weekend

So this essay.... I wouldn't say I'm ready to tackle it just yet. I just picked my topic (Why Americans should take more holidays and longer vacations) and am slightly unsure of where I should be headed. I suppose I'll start by looking at Jake's but my main concern is time. This is a sucky weekend to have to worry about an essay.

So far so good

Just thought I would say that I'm liking college english a lot more than brit lit. I'm really looking forward to when we start reading 1984 because I think it sounds interesting and I like reading so much more than writing. Ive been meaning to start reading 1984 for a while but I never had the time and I could never remember the name of the book (I'm really bad with remembering numbers).

Steps

I am so glad that we went over all of the steps for research and that we are continuing to go over it tomorrow. Some of it was a revelation! Why didn't anyone tell us about this process before? It seems like it would simplify things immensely when writing research projects!

Stuck Between a Scylla and.... an Essay Prompt

I don't know what essay prompt to choose. Here are my thoughts I've narrowed it down let me know what you think would be best. Keep in mind it needs to have enough researchable information. Here's my Charybdis:
-The continuing decline of CD sales along with the rapid growth of music downloads signals a new innovation in pop music.
-College athletes should be exempt from normal class attendance policies.
-Any student caught cheating on an exam should be automatically dismissed from the college
-All students in high school and college should be required to take at least two years of foreign language.

Let me know what you think

Yay for Blog Invites!

Well, I'm finally not a lurker anymore! Yay for blog invites! I can actually post stuff! Anyway, I'm a bit excited for these controversial discussions. Our lunch was so "inspired" today that we had our own little discussion. Which ended up being extremely outnumbered but it was still intriguing (and extremely frustrating). But still, to have two sides of an issue that both sides are sooo vehemently convicted for their side it's kinda neat. Anyway, in short, I'm looking forward to these presentations.

Persuasive Essay

Well, all in all I think that I'm ready for the persuasive essay. I'm planning to write on why the US should abolish the electoral college.

Finally

Well I finally figured it out! I had to create a new g-mail account but oh well at least everything is working now! I am really excited about the controversial issue discussion coming up. After the debate today, whew! it is going to be heated! That will make it very interesting and exciting!

Holy Moly!

I FIGURED IT OUT!
I think?
I had to create a whole new blogger account because you can't do it through shelby.k12.mi.us apparently?
I think thats what you're supposed to do...
Anyways now I can finally blog.
I just finished my essay.
What a relief!
And its 10:00...
Hmmm
Maybe I have a new bed time?
After all... I am a senior now :)

Leaves of Grass

So I was looking on a bookshelf in my house and I found Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.  I looked up the poem Oh me! Oh Life!  I found that in the answer it says "That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse". The paper Ms. Stariha gave us says "That the powerful play goes on and you will contribute a verse". Will and may two way different things.  It changes the meaning.  You "will" makes it so that no matter what it is going to happen, while "may" means that you have the choice.  This makes me want to change everything in my essay for the third time. haha. I thought really hard about rewriting it.  But in the end, I decided to stick with what the sheet said that Ms. Stariha gave us and leave my essay alone. I just thought I would point this out to all of you(:

Progress of a pathetic paper

first paragraph out of the way! Its looking good so far. yes, I said good. what... is that a bad thing? Oh well, how ever long it takes!!

10:45 PM halfway through the second....

11:45 PM Last paragraph to go, fading fast...

Help! I Can't Conclude!

Please! Everybody help me discover how to write a conclusion! I have written for how many years and still struggle to bring it all together! Any hints? Tips? Ideas? I'm begging you all! The last thing my paper needs is a lame end!

P.S.
Ya'll have let me down... I'm blogging two blogs in a row.

O Suck! O Essay!

O Suck! O Essay!... the pain of you recurring;
The endless objects of laziness- of bitter thoughts and phrases
Of me forever blaming myself, (For who more lazy than I, and who more bitter?)
Of a paper that never is written on- the pen untouched- of the procrastinating ever renew'd
Of the poor intros and conclusions- the uncooperative words in my head
Of the empty and piercing page- with the ideas gone from me
The question, O suck! so sad, recurring-- what good amid these, O suck, O essay?

Answer

That you choose- that essay exists, and class;
That the inevitable Monday will come and you will need to contribute a page

Where Did Laura's Post GO????

Laura posted the beginning of her essay that she thought was wrong on here and now I can't find it... am I going crazy?  I wanted to use it for something. 

writing workshop

well during the past week i learned how much i need to improve my writing again and a feeling for the standards and how to go about planning and draing an essay , also i have been working on the esaay over the weeekend and i already feel stressed like im not gonna do good enough in college english , hopefuly she doesnt grade to hard!?

Not in the Swing of Things

I did absolutely nothing today.... or yesterday I mean. Well, I did a lot of things really, but nothing that I should have. I should have worked on that dang essay. Or memorized monologues. Or decorated a tree. Or decorated another tree. Or look up things on Genetic Counselors. Or finished my book. Or started 1984. Or actually finish my Christmas shopping. Or go for a run. Or get some sleep. Or work on that dang essay. Instead, I had a lovely day of shopping, guitar playing with the lovely trio of BLK MLD/ Clittens/ The Coconators, and not working on that dang essay. I dearly hope none of your Saturdays were nearly this fun. I hope that instead you all worked on your dumb essays like good little children.

Ahh How it's great to be back on blogger(:

So.. Oh me oh life.. I hate it, I hate IT, I HATE IT.  Not the poem itself, but the fact that it makes my head hurt.  First I thought maybe he was saying how he can't see his purpose in life and what's the point.  Then I started to really think, maybe he knows his purpose and others don't see theirs, or aren't living up to why they are here and then I couldn't make up my mind. Then I got a migraine.  Ohh goodness and not to mention my essay, what a load of crap.  It sucked so bad.  It was a sad attempt to explain that everyone has a purpose.  Everyone contributes their own chapter to this book called Life.  LAME.. But I can't wait until we start reading 1984(:

this is the beginning

In all honesty I really liked O me, O life. I feel like it set the tone for the class, the idea that we are going to be addressing issues (like purpose) that we often don't like talking about, especially in a classroom full of our peers. I feel like for a lot of us this class is going to end up being a blessing in disguise, one that we all act like we hate, but in secret, love it. I'm fully aware that this class is going to challenge not only my writing skills but my reading skills (?) as well, but I feel like the discussions and knowledge gained are going to be worth it. :)

#CollegeEnglishRocks

haha :)

I Wrote it Wrong

So instead of doing what we were supposed to do today I did something else, and it turned out kind of strange so I'm going to post it here so you all can laugh at me with me. (also I'm procrastinating doing other things I should be doing)

Why am I here? What is my purpose? Questions like these haunt me throughout my entire life time. Always coming back to the same unanswered questions. The busy world moves on in spite of this, shuffling along lost in the mundane tasks of everyday life. Foolish people merely living, breathing, existing without knowing a purpose for it.

I am more guilty of this than any other. I am easily trapped withing my own schedule moving from task to task without even a thought. I do not know why I am doing what I am doing, I simply am.

I search for something I do not know, and therefore I search in vain. I am swept away along with the crowd. Drowning in the sea of people who like me, search in vain for a purpose. I cry out to deaf ears, for no one listens. These questions are haunting me. What is it worth? Why does any action of reaction of mine matter? Does it have any meaning at all?

In my desperation I find the answer. I exist as a part of the larger whole that is the universe. I an a piece of the puzzle, holding things together. Occupying a space that only my unique shape can fill. There is a place in this life that I alone belong in. As the symphony of the world plays around me, I must take up my instrument and play. I contribute my own notes to the melody, becoming a part of the music. My purpose is to mark this world with my own identity. To be a part of something larger, greater than myself.

It was at this point that I looked at Sheamus' paper and realized I was doing it all wrong. I had just been kind of daydreaming in my own little world, absent mindedly writing. Haha.

Some essay huh?

[O]ME, [O]LIFE!

o, me .. o , life ; was a reallly goood poem because it really brought a lot of thoughts to my head about what to write about and how to write essays again and also the meaning of life or whatever , it was a good way to get the class started!

ESSAY (:

welll todays essay just kinda got me back into the swing of things and how the rest of college english is going to be and i neeed to strive to work really hard and keep concentrated from now to [g r a d u a t i o n], only 24 more weeeks of school so im going to try my best and hopefully i get the grades& education from this class and dont falll behind , im trying to be super ahead of everything, thats my goal so then i wont be last minute stressing i can have as much time as i need to make the best papers/projects (:

O me, O life

I have to admit, I loved that essay today! You have good taste in poetry Stariha. When I first read the poem on my own I didn't feel it, but when I was writing and analyze it, it hit me as to how powerful the poem really is. Usually when I have to analyze a piece and write a paper on it I ended up hating the piece that I was writing about but with this one, I just kept falling more and more in love with it!

1st to blog?

hi! so i am suppperr excited for this class, but i am also very nervous. i feel like i'm gonna slack a lot next trimester, and i'm already starting to stress out? oh well.
:D

WELCOME COLLEGE ENGLISH Class of 2012

The time is here.... this is your "rite of passage" into the "rest of your lives..."  Here's to a challenging but fun College English class!  Let the blogging craziness begin.
PS.  Don't be too mean to Christian (or me).  Garrett is fair game though.  (just kidding.)

NOT WORKING!

I haven't been able to comment since the beginning of last week. Anyone else having this problem?? I've tried so many times and it sends me back to the sign in page even though I signed in about five times already trying to get it to work!

Stories...

Tonight was a lot of fun, even though there weren't that many kids there. It was fun to hang out with everybody in class and just be relaxed and have fun. Ross your little sister is fricken smart!!! I couldn't believe it. Now its time to put work into our exam projects, this should be fun too

This is frustrating!

Dear Ms. Stariha,

I have been trying to comment on people's posts sense thursday and it won't let me! I make sure I am signed in before I comment, but it still kicks me back to the sign in page. It happens over and over again! I think it is so weird that it will let me post but not comment! grrrr! Any one else having this problem? Oh wait, if you are you will not be able to comment! HAHA!

So close.. yet so far away!

Well my fellow classmates, we have ourselves less than a week before we are done with high school and off to college, well hopefully all of us will be. I also wanted to say good job everybody on your senior projects they were great. Now onto the community project and exam project. I'm not quite sure what my project is going to look like, I was thinking about writing a song and making a video kind of thing but I'm not so good with making videos, but if someone wants to sing the song for me let me know (I can't sing). I also had some concerns about the project at the elementary school tomorrow, has anyone chosen books like Green Eggs and Ham? Because if nobody has then I might just choose that book.

Jeez Louise...or...whatever

Wow! So I just got home from a seven hour shift of scooping ice cream. Which wouldnt be so bad except I broke a nail off scooping and moving the stuff and then dropped a 3 gallon bucket of ice cream on my toe...lovely huh? Well anyway I though my group, and everyone else for that matter, did great on our senior project! Even though I had never hung out with anyone in my group before we had a great time working together! I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time!! Now that that stress is gone I have something new to worry about! My procrastinator roots are showing as I sit up at midnightish trying to think of an idea for my exam project. I know the central theme I want to use but have no clue what method to use to get the effect I'm looking for! I know my exam project last trimester was joke but...well...I wish it would work again for this trimester!!

Off On A Good Note

Well, now it seems like the rest of this class is going to be quite fun. We got the tough things out of the way (everyone did very well by the way) and now we get to read books to little kids and create a project of whatever we want to! Not only that but we graduate the end of this week! Everything has gone by so quickly, its simply amazing. The things that I have learned and learned to do in this class are so great. I never used to read a book, a magazine, or watch a tv ad and analyze why they said or wrote what they did. Now I do. And I feel like I have so much more understanding of what is being said. I catch myself analyzing things all the time!! That is just one thing that I have taken away from this class. So, amidst the tough and stressful assignments, College English has gone above and beyond my expectations, and so I have of myself.

Last hard week...

I'm really glad the presentations are finally over. However, I do admit that I really enjoyed learning information about my group members' topics along with all of the other group members' presentations as well. I really did learn a lot overall.

I really don't feel like I did very good individually. I felt pretty calm when I was presenting infront of the class on Wednesday, but the library just made me lose focus. I was really nervous because there were more adults (not just Stariha) and it was a different setting than just at in the classroom. I'm really thankful for all of the support both in class and at the library.

Lastly, it has come time for our service and exam projects. I am excited for both. I know I will have a lot of fun reading to the little kids and I'm excited for the exam project because my groups idea is very unique and different. I really hope everyone will like it. :)

Exam project

When's the exam project due?

The End......

So our Senior Project is over with, I'm so thankful for that! There were about seven people at our presentation, which really didn't shock me because it's Memorial Day weekend. Our group did pretty well, we had milk and cookies at the presentation.
And after we were done we went out to eat at Schooners. Our group was kind of awkward/random, but we all had a good time working together (for the most part). And just about every time we met we had pizza!
Now time to worry about the Service Project and Exam Project. I think I know what I'm doing with both, but I'm going to work with some of my friends in this class tomorrow and work everything out, so I'm excited about that!
Graduation. I have been wanting graduation to come all year. I have been so excited to leave all these people behind and begin my life. But the fact that I have become close to certain people scares me. The thought keeps running through my head, "what if they never talk to me again?! What if I don't make new friends?!" I am so scared to graduate now. Fourteen years of being in school is hard not to miss, right?! Uggghh, I don't know....

A tad depressed.....................................................................

I felt my group today performed excellently!  We were able to make individual improvments, our powerpoint was fixed of minor bugs, and we had a niffty intro.

And no one saw it..........

Only one student came, Alex (thanks man!), then the last four were parents.  Our handouts were booklets!!!  We only gave out about 5 of 50!

I feel our message, and one of the most important ones of the groups, fell on deaf ears.  We were supposed to inform the public, and we failed.  But we did do a good job.  It just bugs me that I invited SSOOOO many teachers and others, and (almost) no one supported us............

Senior Project Presentation

I am so proud of our Student Outreach group and felt so comfortable practicing in front of them. I felt really bad when I had noticed that there wasn't much time left for Emily, Sarah and Brian but not having the time constraint at the public library definitely felt better. We did have a great audience and I actually was glad that they had asked questions and that we all had an answer for each question. I know that I actually spoke a lot but that's not really different than any other time, but I really felt like I needed to stress the importance about ESL in our schools and how Shelby lacks the programs and methods that we need in order to improve the English language. I'm hoping people learned so valuable information and that changes are made due to our informational presentations.

WOOOOHOOOOO!!

The Student Out Reach group has offically presented and completed their senior projects! What a relief! I am so excited that this HUGE assignment is completed and boy does it feel good!

I was not here on Monday and I am a little confused about our exam project. When is it due? Is it the same assignment as last tri? I would apprieciate any info!

It's a shame really...

Yesterday, I felt that Chris Anderson was really connecting with the presentation.  I think this was one of the only times he got to really use his brain on current topics, and it showed.  It looked like he really liked where the class was going, and it's a shame he wasn't in the class.

Him, and Sam Reenders.  He could have gained a lot from the class.

2 more days...

We only have 2 actual days left of school, and looking back the
last 4 years have gone by soo fast! I never would have thought
that high school would fly by so quickly. But I'm ready to move
on with college and the rest of my life. I'm glad to have the majority
of my assignments done with just this college English exam and a few
small assignments for other classes!! And to also be done with the senior
project presentation! GoOd LuCk to the other groups! The end is so close!

GAH!

I did so terrible in class yesterday!! I asked Chelsea to switch my slides last minute but then I forgot that they were switched. Not only that, I was talking so much and forgot to have Becca switch the slides at all.

However, I felt like I did a lot better at the Library. It felt more casual so I felt a lot better. I only messed up once and I tried to cover it up as best I could.

I feel relieved to be done with my senior project, but I am still TERRIFIED about what my grade is going to be.....I lose sleep at night because of it. I used a technique that Mrs. Gauthier told me about going to sleep at night. She said to write out a list of everything I'm thinking about, i.e. things I have to have done for the next day. It really helped when I was working on my project so I always knew what I had to get done, but it doesn't help with the stress of waiting for the grade.

She also told me to make a checklist of everything I had to do before graduation, and that really helped to organize my thoughts. Every time I could check off something, I felt really good.

Tomorrow is my last full day of high school. It's the ending of an era. I'm scared to move on, but excited to leave my childhood behind and move to a new place and start a new life.

Thankful

Phew i'm so reliefed that my group has presented, overall i felt like our group did pretty good and i appreciate all of our classmates that came out to suppourt us, I hope you guys enjoyed our presentation.

..this is so crazy!

presenting first was pretty scary, but I'm glad it's over with now! good luck to all future presenters. and it's so crazy that school is coming to an end. it's all so surreal :/ but I'm ready, I'm ready to get away and find out what life is really made of!

As for the exam project..I have to start working on some ideas. Because I'm not sure where to begin.

But this class has deffinitely beeen great with all of my classmates and having Ms. Stariha has a teacher!

RELIEF!!!

Hurray! I'm done with my presentations! I think our group did well, not everything was perfect, but overall I think we did well. I'm satisfied with the performance we gave and I'm pretty confident that we earned at least a B overall! Good job team!!! We DESTROYED out presentation!!! Good luck to all the other groups!

:(

Due to the lack of close friends I have in this class... I do not have a partner for the service project yet. I honestly don't care who I am partnered with because I get along with everyone in the class. I'd just like to know who wants to be my partner..
:(

SO EXCITED

YEY im so excited for this week! im ready to present this crap! YEAH!!!!! WHOOT! lol im ready and i feel really confident that my group will do well! good luck everyone

almost there..

Well I'm getting close to finishing up my research paper, its coming along pretty good. But the main problem I'm having is that some of my information is not strong enough to build a long discussion off of it. But either than that I'm actually glad that my group is the first to go because that just meanst that we'll be the first to get it over with and we'll have the rest of the week to watch everybody else present and not have to worry about ours. Good luck everyone!

Can it be?

Could it really REALLY be?!? The end of school just a few days away?! I cant believe it! This year has gone by so fast!! Not to say that there havnt been times where its gone soooo slow that I wanted cry BUT overall its flown!! Only two major things left. One of which being my research paper. Its done and I think it might be ok...but I'm horrified to press the send button!! Theres something finishing it and doing all the editing you can and then actually sending it away. Maybe thats how our parents feel when they send us to college. Like they've done all the work they possibly could but just arn't quite ready to have it evaluated. Kind of a strange thought...comparing a person to a paper. I guess that just goes to show how huge this class has been to me lately. Its really helping though! Despite the stress and occasional tears as I sit, still awake, at 3 in the morning trying to put finishing touches on some phrase or another. I must say that I do enjoy writting now...which I never would've thought was possible like...24 weeks ago! When people say you dont like it because your not very good at it they seem to be right. The changes in my writting style and just transitions alone is clear between my argument essay and this giant paper. Though thats not to say I'm perfect...just to say that I'm better than I was!! So in a very round about way I'm simply trying to say thankyou! Not just to Ms. Stariha although she deserves it, but to the whole class! Our conversations and debates have been PRICELESS!!! I have learned so much and have grown in my opinions to the point where my old self looks just a tad pathetic. But there I go again...rambling...maybe I should hit that little send button and get some sleep!

Can't Wait

Well I can't wait for this week to be over. And i guess know one else knew the answer to my question either....oh well. I just hope this class doesnt prevent me from graduating. That would suck. But hey, one more full week of our high school careers. Crazy.

Just A Lil' Bit Further...

So as our last week of high school comes upon us, I feel anxious and invigorated!!! My group is the first to present, and our research papers are due tomorrow. I can't wait to get out of highschool and to start my life. Recently it seems like this year is ending very badly in my case... and I'm just not sure of how to shake it off....So instead I am just throwing myself into my studies..... weeeeeird lolol

stress...almost over...

getting my paper done, meeting with my group this weekend, and being done with the reading has helped taken the stress of my shoulders!
i have been so overwhelmed with everything but its finally cutting down...
i feel ready for thursdays presentation and im ready to finish this senior project.
if i am stressing now i can only imagine how next year is gonna be!!! :/
ms stariha! be ready for lots of emails from me... :))

Final week......

This is our last full week in class, and im excited.
I'm sick of high school and college english right now to be honest.
This research paper has got me frustrated because its hard to go
in depth on certain aspects of the paper when their is no research
out there and its becoming very tedious. Im ready to have this
paper, and the presentation done!

The End is Near (not the end of the world however)

I am kinda excited for this week. It's like we're on the downside now, and the presentations will be a good ending. The end of the year is coming so soon, and so fast!! It's a releif to get my research paper done with, and my slides of our powerpoint are super close to being done.
As much as we dislike the project now, I feel like if I could survive this, then college is going to be a bit easier. It's like a preview of what's to come, which I like. :]

HEY!

Do we need an annotated bibliography tomorrow or just a reference sheet? or both?

Finishing My Paper.

Reading through my commented rough draft, I noticed a note from Ms. Stariha saying that I need more development of the faultiness of the sequential grade structure we use. In reading this, my soul sunk. I have been looking for the past 8 weeks for research for or against the current sequential grade structure, and I have found NONE. Upon talking to Prof. Boerema from Calvin College, he told me that I may not find research for this particular topic because it is one that is not discussed heavily. He said that we don't want to talk about it because we don't want to change it, and things of that nature. I am afraid that I will do terribly on this paper because I have no evidence supporting the faultiness of the system. It's not because I didn't try. It's not because I slacked off. It's not because I procrastinated. It's because it was not available to me.

On the Research paper.....

Are the references supposed to come first, then the graphs and survey results?

Or are the graphs and results first, then the reference page last????


Or doens't it matter?

UUUUGHHHH

OKAY so i dont about you guys but i feel releived to be finally done with this stupid Senior project. Now its only group work. Can anyone help me remeber when our group is going, i hope not wensday because i have a staff meeting soooooo..... yeah its for a job?? Also i dont know if our group got together today or not, NO ONE called me to let me know sooooo.

Senior Project

Everything is finally coming together! I got my section of the powerpoint done and today our group is meeting. What a relief. I've been working on my paper all weekend and got some great feedback last week on it. Its almost finished! I have to say getting help from Mrs. Stariha really helps a lot because I understand things a lot better after I talk to her. The test on friday also went well I thought. Here comes the points for the grade book! I cant wait to see how I have done! :)

this is kicking my butt!

gotta keep plugging away.. open house tmrw sooo today is all i have!

ahhhhhh...!

Finished!!!

Finally im done with my powerpoint and research Paper! what a relief!

HELP, QUICK!

How do I cite my interview or my survey again?????????

I am starting to feel better about the senior project. I am making time to work as hard as I can on my paper, and I think it is paying off. I am really glad that my group is finding time to work around schedules in order to get together. Even though this weekend is definitely one of my busiest ones yet, I know it will all work out. I will be glad when we get our projects out of the way so we can finish off the class (and year) with our community service project. I am actually looking forward to that. I am starting to realize that yes, this is a lot of work, but it will definitely help me out when the fall rolls around. I do believe that this class has helped me become a better writer although I know I still have a long ways to go. I have learned that complaining does nothing to better my education or attitude, so their is no point in it. So I would like to say thank you Stariha for everything you have taught me. You have been a big help and inspiration to me throughout the last trimester. I'm glad I could be one of your students. :)

Waste want not got want...not?

Waste not, want not!  There we go!

Well, I just got my first revision back of my rough draft, but even though it was a tad late, it's been SSSUUPPER D DDDUUPPER.  I've already made a ton of revisions, and it's all for the best.

The color purple is a good color.  The novel "The Color Purple" was also very satisfactory.  I'm kind of a sap for happy endings.  The test proved to be an adversary rather than a foe, which is great since I had to only glance through Nettie's letters since I was behind... But I finished it!  And I think it might be my favorite of the four novels.  (JGHG is a very, VERY close second).

I don't really have much more to say.

Have a good weekend!!

Senior Project

Our Senior Project research paper is due this Monday. I have been working extremely hard on this paper and feel confident about it. Ms. Stariha has definitely been a great help and has answered all the questions that I have had. I feel like my paper is extremely long but it is the information that needs to be present in order for me to explain everything about ESL in Shelby Public Schools. I'm excited and nervous for next week and am hoping that our group is able to get together more.

Also, lets not forget that today in class was the last College English test that we are going to take. I'm hoping that I answered the questions fully and didn't summarize what was happening in the book. I tried to answer everything directly and explain its importance to the theme of The Color Purple.

Well best of luck to all next week. :)

..(:

today was our final test on our final novel..WOW! this class seemed to have just flew by. I never realized how much you could get from a book, but now I know to really dig deep into the novels I read because I might get some important messages out of them.

I am also really proud of my group, making an effort and us all working together. I was so nervous when I found out we had to speak for ten minutes, but just going over my couple of slides now..it's not going to be hard..actually, I think it will be harder to try to keep at the ten minute range.

This weekend, is going to be filled with editing my research paper..and work, but that doesn't really matter. But I do have lots of questions on the research paper, about citing stuff, and transistioning..so if anyone has a really gooood research paper could you e-mail it to me so I can just look at it..and see, and improve mine!?

thanks guys!


and thanks to Stariha for being such a great teacher!!!

Now, it's time for me to kick butt, at all this college english stuff so I get a goood or passing grade!

Lots of stuff!

So, at about 8:00 last night I suddenly felt the erg to rewrite my personal narrative. My original paper was not that great, lets be honest Casey and Taylor, so I decided the best thing I could do is start over. I completely changed my topic. Originally, I was avoiding the topic of my brother Benjamin, and decided to take the paper in a different direction. But, last night I realized that I was not being true to myself. Our personal narratives are suppose to be the thing, or person, who made the biggest impact on our lives, and I know in my heart that it is my brother that has impacted me and made me the person that I am.

Originally, I did not feel comfortable writing about this because it is something extremely personal. But then I realized that other people were sharing extremely personal things so I felt good about changing my paper. Thanks for sharing everyone!

I'm totally changing gears now but I am kind of sad that we are taking our final test over our final novel tomorrow! I never thought I would say this but, I am sad to be done with our class discussions! I got so much out of these books because of my fellow classmates! Thank you everyone for sharing your opinions, you have helped my greatly!

And in case I don't get a chance to say this later on, College English has been worth all of the stress and work. I already know that this was the right decision for me. I feel so much more confident knowing that I have had this experience when I go into my first year of college. Thank you so much Mrs. Stariha for motivating me to do my best! I appreciate all of your hard work as a teacher and I will for sure recommend College English to underclassmen!

i finally finished my personal narrative!

im so happy!

and feel so good about it!

thank goodness!

ps... i like the color purple :)

I love my life right now :)

There's so much to say right now! First of all, the poem Mushrooms I did not understand at first, but when we got in groups to discuss Emily and Kristen told me how a mushroom is on the ground and it's stepped on a lot, and I realized that it's connected to The Color Purple because Celie was like a mushroom. Secondly, I am so glad we're working with our groups now, my group is very motivated and I'm actually being pushed to work extremely hard! I'm currently putting some final touches on my personal narrative, everytime I read it I really want to cry. It's about some of my friends and how they helped me to change. And I have been opening my eyes to so many things lately and have been getting so close with some of my friends and having heart to hearts and whatnot and it truly has made me realize I am not alone and I never will be and that my friends seriously are THE BEST! Y'all do know who you are, thanks so much for changing me as well as making me so happy! I'm not naming any names, just because I don't know if this person wants anyone to know this, but I've been talking/texting one of my friends and we're talking about intense things that I can't even talk to my family about because my family isn't really close to me and I just think it's so weird that I have a difficult time communicating with my family but some of my friends I can just spill my thoughts out to them. I also think my mind has broadened by taking this class, so there you go Stariha, you changed another student!

Stand Up!!!

The poem we talked about today was really cool! It matched everything we've been talking about lately with the Color Purple and all. In both writings people are held down by not doing anything to stand up for themselves. Once they finally realize that it's been enough, they stand up and fix things. This is what everyone must do. We all have problems and no ones life is perfect. When something gets us down and holds us back, we have to face it, beat it, and be better than it in the end! We have to destroy our problems or else they'll continue to hinder us in the long run. This idea is applicable to almost any situation I can think of... So let's not let the world and our circumstances rule us, lets conquer them and fight for a better tommorrow!!! STAND UP!!!

Thank-you!

I want to thank Casey, Emily, and Ross for reading my personal narrative. You're guys' tips and suggestions made my paper sound amazing! Also, I greatly enjoyed reading each of yours.

WORK

This week is going to be filled with a bunch of work but with good teamwork from the group I'm in, will spread the workload around which creates a less stressful life for the people in the group. I'm not procrastinating about this project at all and I'm going to work hard for my group. I think we got pretty far today when we got together too, thanks Ross and Casey.

Off topic for recent assignments...

This is random to the events that we have been working on in class, but I've been reading the color purple. I'm not sure what page we are supposed to be on as of now, so if anyone could answer that, it would be great? But my thoughts as of now on the book, is that Celie is finally standing up to Mr. ........ and becoming a strong empowered woman. She has learned from Shug's example and now she no longer fears her overbearing husband. That's what I have for the week :)

work, work (:

this week is obviously going to be filled with tons of college english work. but i can already tell it will all be worth it in the end.

i loved the personal narrative assignment though..it makes me sad..a litttle bit.

and thanks so much for postponing are due date for our paper Ms. Stariha (:

I'm feeling an attack coming on...

Panic attacks are some of the scariest things, and I'm feeling one...What if I don't get done with my paper? What if we don't get our ppt done in time? What if I forget about my personal narrative? What if I forget to read the book? What if our service project falls through? What if our community forum is a bust? What if we don't get our calculus project done in time? What if I don't have enough time to do all this AND go to work half the week? THESE WHAT IFS ARE KILLING ME!

It's all I can think about night and day, and it's keeping me from sleeping...