Speaking of Courage

Hai. 

This chapter was very disturbing and nasty but anyways...here we go. So this chapter was basically about Kiowa dying in a murky pool of sh*t, which is disgusting. But the things is, is that Norman didn't have enough courage to pull Kiowa out of the sh*t.  Courage is defined as "The ability to do something that frightens one" or "Strength in the face of pain or grief."  Norman was unable to pull Kiowa out because he himself didn't want to sink in, so Kiowa died. He seems to be distraught over his death because he feels that it's his fault, because he was being a coward.  Which is a way many people would feel because he died. The unwonted death of Kiowa in this book was hard to take in as a reader. He was my favorite character because of his spirit, I also liked that he had a talisman. Norman needed courage to pull Kiowa out of the sh*t but he didn't have any at the type which is why this chapter is titled that. Soldiers are said to have courage and with all the medals Norman recieved, you would think he would've had a lot of courage. In the beginning of the book when the author was telling us what they each carried he said, "They carried the common sense of cowardice." In this chapter we see a real example of cowardice. I think O'Brien's portrayal of what is courageous and what is not is pretty accurate.

Bai <3 

Memoir Assignment

This one was my favorite memoir: http://teacher.scholastic.com/writeit/readpoem.asp?id=6012&genre=Memoir&Page=3&sortBy=

 Just because it had some spunk and was really cute! I think that there were some good elements of it but there were some elements that could've been omitted. I don't think the writer develops the character well. She doesn't really develop Sam as a character. She doesn't even describe the way he looks, she basically just tells about him.   She's not really telling her story just he memory. She seems to have written it as it has been happening not looking back on it so it's kind of not a memoir really. I think she does do a good job by picking a subject that many readers can relate to. The title she picked made me choose this blog to read. There is really no tension or suspense building in her memoir. The only conflict is the conflict that many girls can relate to, not knowing if Sam feels the same way. Their also it little to know character development, this is a weird composition but I enjoy it. She does a good job of focusing on a particular subject though, but this is not the best memoir. This composition is more like a diary entry than a memoir but like I said before I enjoyed it. I really wish she would've described his personality and his physical characteristics more. This composition in my eyes wouldn't be called a memoir but a diary.  

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was the longest war ever fought by the US. The war lasted 15 years, from 1959 to 1975. Many people say this was the first war that the US "lost". They started fighting in Vietnam because they wanted to stop the spread of communism. Communism is to many, a depraved way of living because the government has a lot of control. The Americans tried to glean as much information from Vietnam about converting to communism. The US did not want communism to spread in Southeast Asia. They believed that the communist forces would gain control of Vietnam. The US strongly opposes Communism because they feel it is not right. Before this "Vietnam had been split in half in 1954, after fighting a war to gain independence from France. When French forces withdrew, Vietnamese Communists gained control of North Vietnam" (Wiki answers, 2012). The southern part of Vietnam was weak and so that's where we Americans came in. In the beginning we were only giving them military and money support but then that grew into something more. We never did declare war on Northern Vietnam but we did bomb them more then we bombed people in World War 2. We went in also to stop the domino theory.  The domino theory is “which held that if one country fell under communist influence or control, its neighboring countries would soon follow" (Cold war, containment, 2012). In the end we lost the war basically and Vietnam became a communist country. The climate was very murky and hard for the soldiers who fought. Almost 60,000 US soldiers died. Also, Many American's did not support the war for various reasons. 

cited: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_the_US_become_involved_in_Vietnam and http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1965.html 

Let America Be American Again

This poem depicts the two sides of America. Which are the rich and the poor, I believe. He evinces these two sides by his tone and the side he "takes" in the poem. The writer seems to take the role of the poor man in America, and it’s his view that we are told. The America that we have now is that America is said to have ideals of equality, liberty, and land of the free which is not what we have. The America that Hughes calls for is an actual America full of equality and the land of the free. The writer substantiates his view through his tone; the poem seems kind of angry and resentful. He is criticizing all aspects of the American dream besides love kind of.... He is criticizing the fact that in America you are said to have the pursuit of happiness. Also you are said to have money and in this poem and the criticisms of the author of the Great Gatsby kind of argued that as well. You are said to have all of this in America but you really don't. Many believe the American dream is now feckless. I do agree that these criticisms are real, but really is anything ever promised? I don't think things are just given you have to earn them. A prime example of this is the character Gatsby, he had to earn everything he had nothing was given. The American Dream is still reachable today actually, and we can get it and many still want it. It just takes hard work and dedication nothing is just given nowadays you have to work for it. That in my opinion is the coherent payoff of actually achieving the American dream. I believe the dream is still tenable.

Myrtle the goofy!

My character is Myrtle!! So here we go J

I finally was able to go to New York with Tom and I go to meet Nick! He’s such a fine fellow but I don’t think he liked me that much. Anyway! On my way to the apartment I saw some cute dogs and Tommy Pooh bought me oneJ. Once we got to the apartment I called over my sister Cath (Catherine) over and Tom and I’s good friends, the McKee’s. Once we got acquainted we began passing out drinks! Everyone seemed to be having such a jolly good time. I had on my favorite afternoon dress and was looking (if I do say so myself) amazing ;). Mrs. McKee infuriates me always talking about her husband’s photography! Who gives a rat’s ass gosh!  I then began telling stories about my love life entertaining everyone. I do love my husband, don’t get me wrong but he isn’t good enough. After, I got to telling Nick how Tom and I met, he seemed really interested. Then Tom got upset all because I was saying his wife’s name! What’s the big deal? He’s cheating on her anyway! We kept going back and forth then I felt a blow to my nose. I couldn’t believe what happened. After I stepped back into reality everyone was gone. That sucked because we were having such a good time until Tom had to mess it up. Sometimes it feels like he cares more for his wife than me! I could just kick Tom’s behind if I didn’t love him so much. Luckily for him at least, he apologized for hitting me. He didn’t really need to though because I was over it already, although it was really embarrassing.  I got blood all over my favorite dress too! L But it’s okay because I’m still with my Tommy J

The American Dream

I'm a horrible blogger although I have became addicted to Tumblr...Sowwy

Anywayssssss. The American Dream
 Our assignment is basically to find an article on the American Dream recently and then relate it to Great Gatsby.
But the problem is I don't necessarily see that theme very prominent in the book. But here we go.

I found that in 2010 43% of American's still believed it was possible to have the dream. This was after the recession and all, I was surprised for that percentage to be even that much. In the latimes article the author wrote, "The dream is the glue that keeps us all together." I agree with her it kind of is because if all Americans had no hope this country would not be America.  Many people did lose sight of the American Dream after the recession but some did not.  In Great Gastby the theme The American Dream is basically Gatsby life. He has almost everything an American would want. A great house, car, money and the only thing missing is a family. Many American's American dream is like Gatsby's life even without the wife part.  Gatsby throws great parties, has lots of friends and is very respected, who wouldn't want his life? Although many American's dream is very different and more simple.  The American Dream is different for every American and luckily there is 46% of us who believe in it.

Music Review

Ever heard of Jessie J?
Well I loveeeeeee her! She is one of my favorite artists nowadays.


My favorite song by her is Big White Room (live). That song speaks to me and almost brings me to tears everytime I hear it. I have nothing at ALL bad to say about this song.


When you first turn on this song you hear a few chords of acoustic guitars,  the first lyrics are "Sitting in a big white room alone, tilt my head back feel the tears fall down." These lyrics remind me of myself basically, I mean who hasn't cried alone in their room? Then more lyrics, then I get to "I don't wanna be here anymore
I wanna be somewhere else normal and free, like I used to be But I have to stay in this big white room
With little old me." The way Jessie J is singing these lyrics so patiently puts the images in my mind. Sometimes I feel like this and having music that expresses your feelings and sounds good is a winner in my mind. This song brings me to a place where I have been, were many have been. Her words in this song speak to me and probably speak to so many others. Jessie's J's tone and voice make this song much more powerful. Whenever I'm feeling down I listen to this song and it makes me happy.

HOPE YOU LIKED IT! :D

Lyrics:

Sitting in a big white room alone
Tilt my head back, feel the tears fall down
Close my eyes to see in the dark
I feel young, broken, so so scared

I don't wanna be here anymore
I wanna be somewhere else normal and free, like I used to be 
But I have to stay in this big white room
With little old me

I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine

Sitting in a big white room alone
Close the door don't want the pain to come in
I clench my fist and try to stay strong
I cry, feel sick my hearts beating b-b-b-b-beating neating out of control
Can I run, run faster than you
I wanna feel my body again, feel the wind in my hair - yeah
But I have to stay in this big white room
( From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/jessie-j-lyrics/big-white-room-lyrics.html )
Cuz' no one else cares no

I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine

Everybody's looking at me, everybody's staring at me
What do I do now - smile, yeah, yeah
Everybody's looking at me - everybody's staring at me
What do I do now - smile

I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine

I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine

Winter Poem

Winter time is my favorite season
Making snowmen with your siblings is the best
Hot cocoa
Hot cider
Cappuccinos galore
There's nothing like winter time
Big coats, furry hats
Make the perfect attire
Big celebration with your family make it bright
The time full of laughs and cheer
Gifts and presents
Giving back
There's nothing like Winter time ❤
⛄⛄⛄

PHENOMENON of JD Salinger

Hey

I had a very difficult time finding some sort of interview for JD Salinger. Usually when you Google someone famous everything comes up, but not him. I found that sort of surprising especially because he’s such a renowned author.  He had pretty good reason to retreat from society, his personality didn’t seem to be made for the spotlight. One of his quotes give reason to his reason for retreating, "I like to write. I love to write. But I write just for myself and my own pleasure.” His neighbors in Cornish respected his privacy which led to him living a peaceful life.  He also adds, “I'm known as a strange, aloof kind of man. But all I'm doing is trying to protect myself and my work." Which I agree with, no one really wants anyone all into their personal life as people probably did after Catcher In The Rye was published. The views in 1951 were that it was “[A] firestorm for controversy and debate. Critics have argued the moral issues raised by the book and the context in which it is presented. Some have argued that Salinger's tale of the human condition is fascinating and enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The psychological battles of the novel's main character, Holden Caulfield, serve as the basis for critical argument. Caulfield's self-destruction over a period of days forces one to contemplate society's attitude toward the human condition.” Now it is praised as the “ [a book of a] wonderful language by J. D. Salinger in an unusually brilliant novel.” 

Direction the Class needs

None! It's my favorite Class

Since this isn't enough for Mr. McCarthy I guess I'll go into detail about how great this class is.
I like our class discussions they really help me understand the book we're reading more. This class makes me think about things I wouldn't normally think about which I like. I enjoy coming to this class everyday just to think! Weird? I know. But many classes the teacher tells you what to think about which I cannot stand. Our discussions are usually led by the students with some guidance from the teacher. Although I wish that other people talked instead of the usual group. This is my favorite class though. I love getting people's point of views of the book that we're reading. Although maybe people should give others a chance to talk too.

Holden

Holden Caufield.....he's a pretty weird character. I've gotten pretty far in the book and some stuff he has said Ive been agreeing with. I find myself saying people are "phonies" in my life although mine has a pretty much different meaning than his. The way Holden is sometimes let makes me understand why certain people act cold towards him. He's a pretty rude guy when making conversation he says anything he wants to people and that should not be okay. I think Holden does have some phony in him but he is not a complete phony at all. He sees characteristics in people that could be perceived as them being phony. Although judging people he only knows from the surface is phony. Holden is too quick to judge others and doesnt get to know people well enough in order to make conclusions about them. Like we discussed in class I think it's Holden vs The World. He only knows a couple "real" people but it's that enough for him. It's seems like many dont want to be bothered with him. Why does he have conversations with "phonies" if he's only going to judge them the entire conversation? Seems just plain odd to me. I think he is against hisself as well. He often lies to hisself and contradicts hisself. I wonder is Holden the way he is because he doesn't want to conform to the norm or is this the way society as made him. For someone to think this ways a lot of people must have let him down in order for him just to see one view of "real or phony".Tis all

My Red Hunting Hat

Let me start this blog off by saying that I don't own ANY hats which I find really sad. I don't even have a winter hat! That's how sad my wardrobe is lol.
Okay back to the topic

I think my red hunting hat would be my personality. I wouldn't say I'm loud in particular, but if I'm around people I'm comfortable with....watch out! Lol I would say that with my personality I seem to pick out people who are like me with the same qualities. People who like to have fun, love music, speak their mind, honest, and more. Funness is very important to me and honesty. I know funness is not a word guys but it's okay! It's my blog isn't it? :) (I'm listening to Arcade Fire btw big ups to Mr. McCarthy for putting me on!) Holden seems to judge people from the surface with little to no information about them. I can't say I don't do that but I try really hard not to. I hate when I'm judged or when people judge others in front of me. Like Holden I do feel as though their are a lot of phonies around me, but their always will be unlike him I do not go looking for them.

Well that"s all folks!

Thanks...

I guess I'm thankful for have Sohrob in this class. He gives something to the class that without it I don't think I'd think as much as I do now. His vocabulary is immaculate. I think that his input on a lot of things we talk about is greatly appreciated especially for me. I also could say I'm thankful for Kirkland. I have him in another of my classes and he also knows some information to share with the class. He is like a walking encyclopedia, he knows a lot about everything! It seems like sometimes he's teaching my World Studies class. Sohrob and Kirkland both make this class special. Who could forget Mr.McCarthy though? I find myself thinking more deeply from this class. Grrrr. Is this 200 words yet? Shall I finish this by talking about my Thanksgiving? Yes I shall. This Thanksgiving I did not want soul food at all since I eat it all the time. We visit my grandma's house then my cousin or aunt's house every year. I can never say no to my grandma's food because it is so delicious! She makes the best dressing and pineapple coconut cake in the world! It's so scrumptious! Then over my cousins house they had yummy gumbo :) so me being the seafood lover that I am that's all I ate. Is that 200 words? I think so. Thanks for reading! <33

Cormac McCarthy

McCarthy

Looking online searching for interviews I began to wonder and make assumptions for myself to why he made this book. Almost wondering will the book still have the same interest to me after I know where the authors inspiration came from. It still does......

I came to find the interview with Oprah which I watched and was surprised at how old he was, I had no clue! Back to the topic....I found it surprising that, that interview was the first TV one he had done. With the interview I found out that the idea of the book just came from him being in a small town in an old hotel. What came up in the interview was the question "Is this a long story to your son" , I found this intriguing because I never really got that feel from the book until then. The story is basically about father and son traveling looking for a better life in hopeless surroundings. It never clicked for me that this is basically a love story. 

In another interview I found this statement, "whereas "The Road" is about human goodness. It wasn't until I had my own son that I realized a personality was just innate in a person. You can see it forming. In "The Road," the boy has been born into a world where morals and ethics are out the window, almost like a science experiment. But he is the most moral character. Do you think people start as innately good?" This statement was from the interviewer but the Cormac answered saying that " I don't think goodness is something that you learn. If you're left adrift in the world to learn goodness from it, you would be in trouble. But people tell me from time to time that my son John is just a wonderful kid. I tell people that he is so morally superior to me that I feel foolish correcting him about things, but I've got to do something--I'm his father. There's not much you can do to try to make a child into something that he's not." I also found that many conversations he had in the Road were conversations he had with his son John. I found the things I found gave me a more analytical look at the book, I feel now that I can understand it more. 

The THEME Cormac talked about was Human Goodness I believe that everyone is born with some goodness in them no matter what. This theme is ever present in the Road, Cormac seems to characterize the "bad guys" as having no human goodness. 

Kay, Bai

Open Letter

Your letter left me with a very uneasy feeling. I could not possibly fathom that our world could end up like the world in you book. It seems as though you have no hope in human culture. I think we will prevail hopefully. For our world to end up like The Road and your poem would be heart breaking. I dont think the government will leave us although you never know what their capable of and what they know. There are many things that could happen for the world to be in this state but I hope and pray that, that will never happen. I think that with the many "good" people we have in the human culture we will prevail. I just hope to never see a day where the world is in that state, I hope that rhe generations after me won't either. I kind of love the world right now and I hope or never changes although I do hope that peace will come to world. Your view on how the world will be was very well written but I wished you wouldve had a little more faith in the human culture :)

Father to Son

The father to son relationship in The Road is very powerful. The father is basically living for his son, just in order for his son to survive. I think it is beautiful how much the father loves his son. My father and I don't necessarily have the close bond that the father and son in the book have. The way he cares for his son is the way that a good father should care; he does everything for his son. Nowadays you don’t see too many relationships like this one. There are many fathers who are out of the picture and don’t care for their child enough to pick up the phone. There are too many times where fathers don’t understand the place they hold in their child’s life. Such as, in this story the boy needs his father in order to survive. Without his father there he would’ve been dead immediately. There are times where I take my father for granted but just like the father in The Road he is always there. I think every father should strive to be like the father in the book. EVERY expecting father should be required to read this book! ♥

The Moment I Knew I Was An American

This blog topic is a pretty tricky for me but honestly I have always felt I was American. I was born and raised in the USA right in Chicago. So why wouldn't I be an American? I think I possess qualities that a good American should have so I think I am an American. I think when I really began to appreciate my country was when I became interested in politics. I never really cared much about American till like the 7th grade when we began debating topics. America the beautiful, till 7th grade I never really knew what that meant. I now know that America is a wonderful and amazing place, it's a place that everyone can come to to have a great life. I think if someone older wrote this blog they would talk about how September 11th made them an American but I don't really remember that day because I was 6 years old. I think if I was older, that would've been my moment that I knew I was an American. When I watch documentaries about that day I am sad and upset at the disaster. I wish I could've been older to help, maybe the victims family. I hope to go to New York soon to see ground zero and get better look on our history.

John Proctor, Hero or Stooge?

The Crucible has been a very good book so far but I find many things absurd. I am truly grateful that today isn't like how it was then otherwise I would be a very unpleasant person. Through the book i have found many characters I like such as Rebecca but I've also found villains like Abby. I characterize Abby as a mean spirited evil girl who doesn't care for other at all. In many parts of the book it seems like she is the devil. I also have lost faith in John Proctor through out the book. I find him becoming more cowardly when he should stick up for his wife. The events that happen in this book are almost unthinkable. I find it crazy that they are tearing a town upside down from what some children are saying. To have women being hanged and in prison because of what children are saying is crazy. haven't they ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? I also find the preacher a unholy man who believes the children even though he saw what happened. To put others lives on the line just to save his reputation is wrong as he's a preacher! I think John Proctor right now is a stooge at this point of the book. He needs to step up and be a man and tell the entire truth to get crazy Abby out of that town.

Sinners in The Hands of an Angry God

Sinners in the hands of an Angry God.....Hmmm What an interesting topic. This topic is very close to be seeing as though I practice my religion a lot. I am a christian and believe in God and Jesus, although I don't really believe God is angry. I think no one really knows if God is upset, but they try to put their spin on natural causes in the world to say that because that happened God is mad.  No one really has the power to say that unless God "spoke to them". The concept of Religion is pretty hard to grasp, but I truly believe in it. I do think us sinners are in the hands of God, not an angry God though. The characters in the Crucible way of religion was very strict and they believed this, I don't though.

There Goes The Neighborhood

I guess if I told someone where I lived and they didn't know me, they probably would think I was ghetto and hood and things of that nature. Some people think that people who live in the Westside are ghetto and loud, which isn't necessarily true. I haven't lived on my block for that long but I know isn't the particularly best neighborhood although it is usually pretty quiet. I have lived in about four different neighborhoods. I was born on the south east side and lived there till I was about 10. From there I moved to the South Westside and lived in there for about 6 months. I then moved to the suburbs and lived there for 4 years, then moved back to the city. i kind of liked suburban life, but I love the city much more. In the suburbs the neighborhood was pretty diverse, My neighborhood now has mostly African American and Latinos. That's kind of how Christopher Columbus "neighborhood" in America then there we mostly Europeans and Native Americans. I like that Whitney Young is very diverse because I'm surrounded by so many different cultures unlike my neighborhood really. So there goes my neighborhood.