for Annie Wang

Y is for young, because she was born in 2002
E is for enlightened by Rishi Mishra 
L is for likes to tell me that I stole her name (I was born first)
L is for lazy to bring your violin to school so you use mine
O is for oh my god we've known each other for 2 years
W is for woohoo! for getting into CSYO

Wang is your last name
Annie is your first name
Nice poem
Gee, you are so poeticZ

I chose this poem because Annie Wang really inspires me to write and be a better person.

2nd Quarter Poetry Journal Reflection.

In my life, I arrive to school
And then I prepare myself  for busy stops at my locker
Putting in my combination before, so then when there's a limited amount of seconds before my runs must ache and weep, I can quickly pick up my books and go.
But this time around  I've got a minute to spare
My locker is only inches away
My hands, about to give in on the book I currently was holding and eyes, locked on the target
As I come closer, and brush up upon the lock
It shuts me out.
And tells to "Go home, this isn't your locker!"





I chose this poem because it was a relatively accurate description of my every day life in the 8th grade.(Besides, that was only so many months ago ) I honestly think that this poem did not show improvement- rather actually, hints how it worsened.. But not really, I'm still as creative as last time. My favorite line that presents my creativeness would probably be best at lines 8-10.

2nd Quarter Independent Reading Reflection

This 2nd quarter went by super quickly, it feels like I just did my 1st quarter blog post last night! But anyway, This time around, I read 4 books (not including the one I'm reading currently) which include The Color of Water by James McBride, Electroboy by Andy Behrman, Fangirl and Eleanor and Park, both by Rainbow Rowell. I read one more book than I did last quarter, which isn't truly an accomplishment but it's a change! And I've realized, I don't really read things that go above and beyond my level and comfort zone, because I enjoy more pleasurable and easy reading. Not only that, I tend to stick to the same kind of books too, (but I secretly enjoy books of intensity i.e crime/mystery, mental disorders.. As freaky as that is). Ironically, the only book that I read that wasn't in that same general genre YA, Electroboy was probably my least favorite due to how sloppy it made me feel as an audience member. It just basically was a really out of control guy with a bipolar disorder who goes through shock therapy and that's it. It didn't any depth in the story, it was generally all the things you shouldn't do in your youth to ruin your life. Sure, sure I give him sympathy and pity his life for what he had been going through but it wasn't that great of a book and you couldn't take much out of it besides don't do drugs, don't alcohol, spread your money wisely and don't try to scam people. I knew that already but okay, Andy. My favorite book would have to be Fangirl as how free she can be and confident in herself on a daily basis though she had to split with her twin sister for the first time in college, which I think is probably something hard to do as sisters. I'm an only child but as I am PB&J to my best friend, they are probably too.

Though, my initial goal was to read 2 different books of fantasy/not-modern-times genre, I ended up reading only one... And It wasn't really my choice to read that book because it was an assigned by Mrs. Leistch... Awkward. To ask if I met my goal? No. not really. If anything, I'd give myself a 40%. 50% deducted because I only read one. and The other ten percent deducted through the fact that it wasn't through my own power and will. This next quarter, I would like to push myself to read 5 books total. And also, I would want to read The Death by Bees by  Lisa O'Donnell because this book stood out to me when I was choosing my book for my summer reading assignment. It was extremely intriguing as to what happens just in the first few 50 pages. 

"Did Shakespeare Really Compose His Plays?"

Shakespeare is a name familiar to thousands of people all across the world. And his most famous piece, Romeo and Juliet, is taught throughout the United States in high school education. But, recently, there's a growing debate on the surface. Shakespeare vs. the real author. A numerous number of people allege that Francis Bacon actually wrote the plays, contradictory to how Shakespeare proclaimed. Others don't exactly pinpoint a specific person, but they declare it could've been anyone, but William Shakespeare. So, was the world deceived with the idea that Shakespeare was actually a fraud, convicted of pla(y)giarizing someone else's precious work?

Let's start from the beginning. If you didn't know, William Shakespeare was never formally admitted into a university, nor was he born with wealth and prestige, he was just your average Joe. He only attended a local school for grammar, mythology, etc. Back then, (And I mean waaaaay back) to be decently well educated, you had to be wealthy and Shakespeare was NOT wealthy. Now, wait.. How does a man who knows only the basics, write a formal piece with great vocabulary and knowledge?

If one goes back to see the original piece itself, it has been recorded that he had not left a hint to be traced with himself about his writings. The only reason why all the plays are named his is because of the signatures. The signatures looked wobbly, distinct from the original calligraphy. Going back to square one, it was rare to see those who lived in a lower status with the ability to read and write-- so, how does Shakespeare grasps beautiful calligraphy with poor education? What if those signatures on the plays, was solemnly just for practice?

Though, some may also add on to the point that he didn't mention anything about his plays in his will to be a suspicion, I will argue that at the time, his writing wasn't this worldwide sensation. It was only until after he died, his writings became a big boom the in the world of literature. He probably assumed his writing wouldn't go anywhere therefore, just leaving it out of the will(iam).

Yeah, no. I lean towards (As Hannah would say,) Fakespeare.

Picture This!

I am currently reading the memoir, Electroboy by Andy Behrman. Andy is living a life where his decisions aren't well thought out and depend solemnly on his mood; ups and downs. My drawing is a human head (Andy's) as all these polar thoughts go through his head. Hopefully, it seems like a lot in his head to think about, which is his main problem. His bipolar disorder causes him to think one thing one day and the opposite another without realizing it. Insensitivity and clueless. He suffers with social problems around the people in his realm, the lump in his wallet seems to be getting thinner by each minute and just overall, where he stands in life.

I've pulled out a sequence of text that showcases a vital part in the novel and REALLY shows a unique mindset.
"When we arrive I'm taken into custody and handcuffed by a police officer- a formality, I'm told- while I wait to be processed. I'm unusually calm. But this isn't good.  I've lost control. It's getting hot in this room, and I'm sweating and I want to get this over with" (Behrman, 164).
And a few days later...
"I'm thrilled with the media coverage and the rush it induces- it's as god as a manic high or cocaine high. I enjoy my name in print and being the topic of conversation around town. It's particularly exciting to me that the indictment has been given space in The New York Times" (Behrman,166).

As you skim over my quotes, you can without a doubt see that these are two different ways he viewed the same issue, his arrest. One he loses control and is panicking while the other he is happy and thrilled to be seeing his name across the nation as a criminal. Now, as a rational human, I think most of us agree that we'd be panicking, not feeling a surge of excitement, when we see our names listed for a detention: let alone making national news about your felony.

1st Quarter Poetry Journal Reflection

Rain.


(She's)     (the)    (reason)     (my)    (hair)   
(goes  )    (on)     (a)      (rage.) 
(She's)   (like)   (an)   (evil)    (witch) 
  (of)   (the)   (west)  but)   (the)    (World's.) 
(But)    (then)    (again)    (She's) (one)    (of)    (the) 
(main)  (reasons)    (I'm)    (still)    (breathing)     (today.)
(She's)       (my)    (mother)   (without)   (the)    (nagging)
(But)   (boy)    (could)    (she)   (put)   (up) (a) (fight.)
(Everyone)    (shakes)    (when)    (she's)    (ANGRY!)
(Drip.)      (Thunder.)    (Thunder.)



I chose this poem that I made, because I thought I was pretty darn creative. Don't you think?
The parenthesis around each word is supposed to look like rain though at a glance looks
like a BIG mistake, haha. I like this piece owing to the fact that it, not only show cases my creative brain (thank you mom and dad, love you) it also personifies mother nature as a person (and as my mother). I added more lengthier descriptions into my work, despite the fact that this already looks pretty cut short, you should see my draft! I also did more changes into punctuation besides the normal periods that are absolutely everywhere and show no emotion, because life is a boring line. 

The poem I used as reference as did an image for it's base, forget who wrote it specifically but he wrote it to be a staircase!

(real live footage of me at last week's football game)

Laptop

After a long day of lectures I come home back to my silver Dell laptop.
No, it wasn't from the shops yesterday— actually it looks like something in a museum case ancient, old.
I flip open crackling sounds and hear her mumbling as her LOADING tattoo close up.
I open a colorful webpage and start to read. 87% battery.
I turn the page and she yells "10% battery. Please find the nearest power source or device will shut down."

Again? She is so annoying. Ugh!
she sits on a Paris inspired bag and wastes space and electricity.
But what can I do? She gets my assignments done.

I chose this entry specifically because it is literally ME every time I have assignment online and my only outlet is my laptop. Again, I try used personification with my laptop. I didn't really do much editing to this piece besides exaggerating my battery life by a little and added that "Ugh!" because I think most people can hear that voice, that voice saying "Ugh!"

The poetry piece I mentored off of was a describing his grubby car and how disgusting it was but it was almost like his second home. And to that, the poet illustrates how gross his car is and how its filled with trash but in the end it does him good and is his home. My poem is how slow and annoying my laptop is but in the end, I can't finish my assignments and get good grades without it!

(When my battery runs out, and I'm in the middle of writing something I didn't save)

1st Quarter Independent Reading Reflection

Only three more quarters to go! This first quarter, I don't believe I read anymore than I did the year prior to this year. Fairly equal, I'd say. In the time (8 weeks? About 8 weeks.) I read books that didn't stray too far from my sidewalk. And were moderately similar to me and my life style – no one eyed aliens floating around, y'know? I personally enjoyed Where'd you go Bernadette?

by Maria Semple, because not only does the writing format already amaze me, the plot is absolutely 
outstanding. Something in the book happens, that is my first time seeing happen to the main character 
and in any book at all. 10/10!

As mentioned above, I personally don't see myself heading over to the library in order to grab the latest best selling 

fantasy book or anything of that genre. A goal of mine is to expand my picks, and grab at least 2 books in the next quarter 
that either are placed in a different time period or a fantasy book. Another goal of mine is to read a higher level reading book
to enhance my vocabulary and get more familiarized with some new writing formats!



Spiritual reading for me is reading that strengthens a meaning of life, and takes people to different places and times to discover
new perspectives in life that they have yet to have experienced. As I touched upon above as my "favorite book of the quarter"

In Where'd you go Bernadette? by Maria Semple, Bernardette is a mother of a child prodigy and a wife of a man named Elgin.

She experiences a a heartbreaking scar in her life and decides to take matters into her own hands differently. And that is.... Going

to Antarctica. I put myself into the shoes of someone who lives a moment that could easily break the relationship between four people.

And I see a different way of "solving" the incident rather than what I would've done. I got to connect with the mindset of a middle age woman

and her mentality to relax herself in another continent! This novel made me fill up with many emotions of anger and filth and betrayal, but 

can I tell you that.. IT WAS SO GOOD. Please read it if you have the time, because it definitely won't be a waste!  

poem&narrative

Send A Drop Of Kindness 
Poet: Julie Hebert, © 2012 

Send a drop of kindness, 
And see a happy face.
A drop of kindness goes real far,
It may even reach outer space.

Send a drop of love,
And feel a loving embrace.
It feels so good to feel like,
You are in the right place.

Send a drop of hope,
But be that shinning star.
Hope is wonderful to have,
But sometimes you can't sit away so far.

Send a drop of faith,
With a single prayer.
And God will show the way,
As faith is always there.

The theme to my narrative is "Helping others, is what makes many people smile." Everyday won't always be a perfect day, but that's okay, we're all human. When things go wrong, we often yearn for a hand to reach for, to pull us up so we can continue the journey ahead of us. In my narrative, I have three specific areas where I or someone near was helped. I was helped physically, out of my misery, when the intercom lady came on and announced our arrival to Detroit and finally let my nose breathe- it smelled so bad at that time. Another one, is when I was helped mentally. A man helped my morals, and my internal will. He showed me how heroic it looks when you help someone bring a smile to their face. And lastly, I observed a grandma who tragically couldn't speak English as she was trying to figure out her next flight in America, the man who I learned a touching lesson from helped her, and translated everything to her so she could understand. I was glad to escape the mortifying smell and to learn and lesson and that elder must have been glad to have been able to successfully left Detroit to home, safely through a young man's help.   

The theme to my poem is "To give positivism, and one will receive something great." To give someone hope, that it'll get better and things will work out- it is wonderful to carry around, to love someone, and that someone will feel the warmth of someone being there for them. They feel like something has gone right for them. And doing one kindness, brings them a smile, and it could even make their day, week, month- or more.

Both these medias' themes have to do with giving, and an internal feel of warmth and love.

my quote to remember

“Your self-worth is determined by you, you don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are” — Beyonće Knowles.

Beyonće is a total GOD in the music world, and y'know it. She's a world class singer and dancer who has had many hits all around the world! Just ask BillBoard. She dominates mankind with her– well, everything. Her music, her personality. She's a kind person who has been through thick and thin, not only that, she gives great advice and quotes. I think this quote represented above really speaks to those who lack confidence and is something that anyone from any background understands.  It's funny, that in actuality, this quote.. wasn't from some fancy awards ceremony, it was actually from her Twitter. 

I think that I've only met a handful of people who really block out the negativity in their lives and live  to accelerate in only their judgement, but hey let's face it. There are many people out there though who seem tough and strong, face difficulties as they hear something that really shoots them in the heart. This quote can't be said enough. Society has really shaped some mean, arrogant people out there who have the audacity to look down on people and we can't help what's been done. Which by means, we must be arrogant about ourself... but in an professional manner. Be proud of yourself! And don't be the jerk who tells others to feel a shake in their lives. Because, you don't want to be the one looked down on either.

My family around me had always been the type of people to really have fun and PREACH self confidence. This quote as a matter of fact, reminded me of the supportive family I come from. I remember this one time, we were at a Christmas get-together and my uncle came up to me and asked me about school–the usual spiel but always ended with something to remember. He told me to do what you love and live a life determined by you. Sometimes, I think my uncle is living a double life as Beyonće. 

I live by these words because they speak to me and can speak to everyone around me to be happy to be you. And "block out the haterz".  Oh, and fun fact. I drew Beyonće for my class project once! (Not saying it was any good or anything, because it wasn't.