CHARACTER STUDY (II)

The bird had now flown away from the nest. It was finding its own food, its own shelter, its own companion(s). She was that bird. Naiomi, after settling in her dorm room and in a process of understanding her dorm mate's personality, was now truly living a "collegian's" life. She was not only making new friends and expanding her circle but was also in touch with her oldies. But as they say, life cannot exist without its habitual problems. One day, she was sitting on her bed and suddenly startling both her and Elina, her dorm mate, the phone rang - tring tring. Naiomi ran to it and picked it up. "Hello?" There were moments of silence. "Hello?" Nothing. It was like no one was on the other side. "HELLO?" This time she yelled. "I need your help." A familiar voice spoke and then BOOM!, she was gone. "That sound... it seems familiar." she was thinking out loud but Elina interrupted her thoughts "What?" "Huh? Oh, um, nothing." Then it hit her - four years ago....

It had been a couple of years but she can still clearly describe that night with every single detail and the faintest of the sounds. She was sitting in the living room at her grandparents' house, playing with her 3 year old cousin, messing around and teasing her. The men of the house were watching T.V. while the women of the house were in the kitchen, preparing dinner. They had invited her grandpa's sister over. When this calm night had turned into a disaster, she could not even imagine. While everyone was respectively doing their work, all of a sudden BOOM! came a sound. Her heart skipped a beat. BOOM! another one. BOOM! - the third one. Her heartbeat had increased after every single one. "Dad, what was that?" her quivering voice asked. "I don't know. Sounded like fireworks, but they're illegal so what could it be?" her dad stood up to investigate. The kids followed. All of a sudden, a siren went off. Then second one, then third, then fourth. Soon enough, she could see the reflection of the red and blue lights of the siren from the glass on her door. Something definitely was wrong but what was it? "GET INSIDE YOUR HOUSE, NOW!" The police yelled at them when they went outside in the front yard. All the streets were covered with police cars, ambulance, and fire brigade trucks. There was also a helicopter over their house, flashing lights. The news report the next day showed that a criminal was shot by a police officer under her grandpa's car.

Tring tring - the phone brought her back. "Hello, Jisu? Jisu?" "Yeah" "What happened? What was that noise? Are you ok? And why did you call so late?" One could definitely tell the flashback had scared her. Her face had turned yellow, eyes red and watery, she was icy cold but still sweating. "Naiomi, can you please stop talking? I need your help. So my communications class want us to do a report on a high paid celebrity and their life. I can get the history and psychology part, you think you can do the journalism part, like actual writing for me and help a girl out?" Jisu was so relaxed, so calm and here, Naiomi was about to have a heart attack. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A COMMUNICATIONS REPORT?" "Why are you yelling, I'm in Davis not in India." "JISU, SHUT UP! You scared the hell out of me. What was that big noise at the end of your last call?" "Oh! That? That was us celebrating the end of midterm - fireworks. Can you believe most of them are actually legal here?" Naiomi heaved a sigh of relief. "God!" She started laughing so hard that her stomach started hurting. "Why are you laughing?" Jisu clearly was oblivious of Naiomi's thoughts. "Nothing. When and where are we leaving for?" "Day after tomorrow. Starting our trip in L.A. and making our way East of America. Cool?" "Yeah, see you then." "Thank you" "And Jisu, one more thing. Do me a favor and never, ever call me when you guys are celebrating, will you?" They hung up laughing. "Whew.. I thought it was..."

CANTERBURY TALES (II): WHAT A CHARACTER!

Character: Cook

Chaucer uses direct and indirect characterization to describe the cook to make him a more rounded and dynamic character, which the readers would be able to analyze.
Direct characterization: Chaucer describes him to be an amazing cook but had ulcer in his knees.
Indirect characterization: Chaucer describes him as someone who's extremely dirty but using euphemism so that the cook - along with the others - can be considered a worthy example of a holy person.

Chaucer's tone: Chaucer is satirical, not only with the characterization of the cook but overall in his story, and sarcastic. He uses these two techniques, along with euphemism, to describe how everyone is similar in one way or another. For example, all the characters went on the pilgrimage not for the holy benefit but for the food offered.

Chaucer's humor: Chaucer uses irony when he characterizes the cook to be someone who's dirty and not be able to clean himself, when he's supposed to be the cleanest of them all as he cooks. No one would want someone like him to touch their food. (Thank you, Dr. Preston!) 

MY DASHBOARD

I love to always discover new ways and techniques to improve my organizational skills. But as of now, in the middle of applying to colleges, scholarships, volunteering, and also  maintaining high grades in school - I only want to try and check off one thing at a time without adding more responsibilities on my plate. I love hanging out with my friends and family or having a decent meal with them without hurrying or worrying too much but sadly, I haven't been able to do that very often. My brain gets so tired at the end of the day that when my mom and dad are relaxing in the living room and hoping to talk to me, I'm sitting on the couch with heavy eyes, falling asleep. Then all my dad does is tell me to go to bed.

As of now, my dashboard, along with Dr. Preston's blog, is favorited on my homepage on chrome so it's not too hard to access it. Also, I have my blog on my phone giving me notifications if anyone in my group updated anything to their blog. But in the future, I will definitely take a look into Netvibes and what it hads to offer. As of now, I'm hoping to spend more time with people who matter to me the most.

CHARACTER STUDY (I)

It had been one full week since she applied to Berkeley, but nothing. A week and a half. Two weeks. The time was flying and she felt like she was aging every single day. “Mom, did dad bring mail today?” she asked, desperate yet anxious. “Yes, and there was nothing in it, honey,” her mom replied, heartbroken. But suddenly, and unexpectedly, that day came. It was a Saturday morning, with Naiomi idly sitting on the couch, expressionless – just a blank look on her face. This dark brown haired, 5 feet 2 inches, 17 year-old was the most stressful and over expecting student one could ever imagine. “Naiomi, I think I have something for you,” hinted her mom. She slightly turned her head towards her, and saw a simple, white, envelope in her hand addressed to Naiomi Niraj Desai. “Ms. Naiomi Desai, Congratulations! It is our pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted…” she stopped midway, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Ac-cc-eepp-ted to the University of California, Berkeley.” She was finally able to finish the sentence off. “Mom? Wha..? How? I mean, is this real? Am I dreaming? I can’t believe it!” Even though she was the most over expecting individual, she has always been unable to believe that whatever she has received and will in the future, she completely deserves it.

It has been 3 months since that day. She’s now packing her last box – teary eyed. She looked around her room, sat down on the bed and just sobbed – she couldn't hold it in. Her mom walks in to see her cry and sits next to her. “I can’t do it mom. I can’t leave this place. These photo frames, these books, these clothes, this bed, and even these walls – they all have a piece of me connected. I can’t let it go mom. And most importantly, I can’t leave you guys.” She had poured her heart out but it still wasn't enough. She wanted to keep talking, wanted to keep crying, wanted to keep living in that house but her mom interrupted her. “Are you crazy? You’re basically saying that I did all that hard work for nothing? I suffered through all those obstacles and hurdles in life for nothing? Naiomi, separation is hard but necessary. You only have to move 5 hours away from us and you’re crying saying it’s hard. Can you imagine what your dad must’ve went through when he left his parents all the way across the world, in India? Sweetie, if you won’t go there, you will not be able to see the world with your own eyes. You won’t be able to understand it, and if you can’t do that, then how will you make a difference? We’re born learners and we have to grasp every opportunity to make every learning experience memorable, okay?” “Mm-hmm.” Naiomi sniffled. “Good. At least now I’ll be able to get rid of you. You know, you should really leave us alone sometimes.” “MOM!” The duo shared a laugh and a hug. “Now hurry up, it’s time to go.”

“Okay, is that all?” “Yes, Dad!” “Okay then, you ready?” Naiomi looked around and shook her head. “But I will be.” She looked at her mom and smiled. The garage door started to open with a bang. The car door opened and slammed shut. The car engine started with a roar. Naiomi glanced back at her mom, who nodded at her. She was closing the door. “Mom, wait!” “What, did you forget something?” “Yes, something really important.” She sprinted upstairs and came with a picture of the three of them. “I need your terrifying eyes, scaring me every morning when I wake up.” She snickered. “Well, I should be offended but I’m actually contended,” said her mom, laughing. “Should we go?” They both held hands and sat in the car. The journey had begun, with both of her parents by her side, but Naiomi will have to leave the nest to learn how to fly. 

CANTERBURY TALES (I)

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• Geoffrey Chaucer was a soldier, diplomat, and a royal clerk.
• The Canterbury Tales provides the best contemporary picture.
• King Edward paid £16 for Chaucer's release when he was put in jail.
• Growing older, Chaucer began displaying penetrating insight into human character.
• The Canterbury Tales encompass medieval literature: romance to comedy, from rhyme to prose, and from crude humor to religious mysteries.

Chaucer's Guided Tour of Medieval Life and Literature

• A disaster or a crisis - rich and poor, old and young, gather together to support each other.
• Chaucer found a joyous event - a pilgrimage, a journey to a sacred spot - gathering all of lifestyles together. 
• There's the lords or the kings. Then there's the nobles - the courtly world. Then there's professional men - middle ranks. Finally, there's craftsmen, storekeepers, peasants, and minor administrators - the lower orders.
• Chaucer is know as the father of English poetry.

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• St. Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.
• "There was a Knight, a most distinguished man...": The story begins with the introduction of the Knight, representing truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy. 
• "He had his son with him, a fine young Squire, " Next the story introduces the knight's son, describing him as a lover and a cadet and a lad of fire. 
• Chaucer users imagery in deceiving either the Knight, his clothes, his personality and the same with his son, he uses direct and indirect characterization. 
• St. Christopher was a patron saint of travelers. 
• "There also was a Nun, a Prioress...": Then was introduced a nun, who's very well mannered, extremely entertaining, pleasant, friendly, solicitous, sympathetic, etc. 
• "A Monk there was, one of the finest sort...": A Monk was introduced next, being a "manly man" with a dainty horse.
• "There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry...": A Friar was next, a good speaker and a festive fellow. 
• "There was a Merchant with a forking beard...": Next in line was a merchant, who's an exper in currency exchange but was in debt. 
• "A Sergeant at the Law who paid his calls...": Sargeant was someone who was wary and wise.
• "There was a Franklin with him, it appeared;" A sanguine man, benign. Lived for pleasure. 
• " A Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, A Weaver and a Carpet-maker were..." They were all trim and fresh, each a worthy fit for the burgess. 
• "They had a Cook with them who stood alone...": Was an amazing cook, who could recognize a flavor without any difficulty, but had an ulcer in his knees. 
• "There was a Skipper hailing from far west;" An excellent fellow, prudent in undertaking. 
• A Doctor too emerged as we proceeded;" extremely knowledgeable about his field of interest: medicine and surgery; a perfect practicing physician.
• "A worthy woman from beside Bath city..." Somewhat deaf, her face: bold, handsome, red in blue. 
• "There was, and poor, the Parson to a town..." rich in thought and work, and a clerk, benign and diligent. 
• "There was a Plowman with him there, his brother..." Honest, good, true.
• "The Miller was a chap of sixteen stone...": Great fellow, a master-hand at stealing grain. 
• "The Reeve was old and choleric and thin;" Could judge by watching drought and rain. 
•  "There was a Summoner with us in the place...": A gentle varlet and a kind one. But drinks a lot. 
• "He and a gentle Pardoner rode together..."
• "Our Host gave us a great welcome...": A striking man, and fit to be the marshall. Bold yet wise.

WHAT IS PHONAR?

• Phonar is about habits. It’s about trying to establish a habit, for a start.
• Rapid-fire production and thinking through doing.
• What do you need to be a photographer? Passion? Camera? Phone?
• You almost become a slave to your habits. They’re imposed on us. We inherit them.
• Systems don’t want us to think for ourselves.
• Kodak invented the first camera.
• A photograph is more experiential; it’s about experience rather than the evidence.
• Most photographers keep their photographs on Facebook.
• Even though photographs are bounded by a rectangular boundary, they’re not actually rectangular.
• The images are way bigger but they’re cropped so they can be shipped.
• The mode of delivery has shaped the way we perceive the mode of information.
• The mode of information is the photography.
• The mode of delivery is the business model.
•  We travel looking at a rear-view mirror. We only understand the new media in terms of old media.
• If you want to change the world, you have to start describing it differently.
• What makes me different than everyone else? Perspective
• Transmedia – When a story’s told on multiple platforms.
• Artisan – Your specialist craft skills
• Connected – Your network
• Trusted – Your reputation/brand
• Something fixed in time has providence.
• Some images are to be believed.
• How are other people going to interpret your images?
• A class in Harvard passed with the highest marks because of collaboration.
• When we start to think about ourselves as the potential collaborators, we move from the space that photography is dead.
• Communication and building communities widens an individual’s knowledge, abilities and talents. The project that the student was working on was Mark Zucherburg on Facebook. Through collaborating, one learns the art of story telling and the importance of perspectives – which sets us all apart.

TEXTBOOK NOTES

Pg: 74-82 and 90-115

From A History of the English Church and People
Bede Translated by Leo Sherley-Price

• Bede was one of the few ones having access to books, documents, and sources such as learned monks to continue his learning.
• Bede wrote for readers from the beginning and basic about Britain and it's history. 
• The original inhabitants of Britain were Britons (where the name Britain originated).
• Ireland has a healthier climate than that of Britain. 
• One of the remedies found against snake bites: drink water containing scraping from the leaves of books from Ireland.

From The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Translated by Anne Savage

• When East Anglian and Northumbrian forces rode ash-ships built years ago, they harassed the Wessex.
• Because of this, King Alfred ordered to build bigger and stronger ships than ash-ships.
• Alfred died the same year that peace was signed at Tiddingford, advised by King Edward, with East Anglians and the Northumbrians.

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• Geoffrey Chaucer was a soldier, diplomat, and a royal clerk.
• The Canterbury Tales provides the best contemporary picture.
• King Edward paid £16 for Chaucer's release when he was put in jail.
• Growing older, Chaucer began displaying penetrating insight into human character.
• The Canterbury Tales encompass medieval literature: romance to comedy, from rhyme to prose, and from crude humor to religious mysteries.

Chaucer's Guided Tour of Medieval Life and Literature

• A disaster or a crisis - rich and poor, old and young, gather together to support each other.
• Chaucer found a joyous event - a pilgrimage, a journey to a sacred spot - gathering all of lifestyles together. 
• There's the lords or the kings. Then there's the nobles - the courtly world. Then there's professional men - middle ranks. Finally, there's craftsmen, storekeepers, peasants, and minor administrators - the lower orders.
• Chaucer is know as the father of English poetry.

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• St. Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.
• "There was a Knight, a most distinguished man...": The story begins with the introduction of the Knight, representing truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy. 
• "He had his son with him, a fine young Squire, " Next the story introduces the knight's son, describing him as a lover and a cadet and a lad of fire. 
• Chaucer users imagery in deceiving either the Knight, his clothes, his personality and the same with his son, he uses direct and indirect characterization. 
• St. Christopher was a patron saint of travelers. 
• "There also was a Nun, a Prioress...": Then was introduced a nun, who's very well mannered, extremely entertaining, pleasant, friendly, solicitous, sympathetic, etc. 
• "A Monk there was, one of the finest sort...": A Monk was introduced next, being a "manly man" with a dainty horse.
• "There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry...": A Friar was next, a good speaker and a festive fellow. 
• "There was a Merchant with a forking beard...": Next in line was a merchant, who's an exper in currency exchange but was in debt. 
• "A Sergeant at the Law who paid his calls...": Sargeant was someone who was wary and wise.
• "There was a Franklin with him, it appeared;" A sanguine man, benign. Lived for pleasure. 
• " A Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, A Weaver and a Carpet-maker were..." They were all trim and fresh, each a worthy fit for the burgess. 
• "They had a Cook with them who stood alone...": Was an amazing cook, who could recognize a flavor without any difficulty, but had an ulcer in his knees. 
• "There was a Skipper hailing from far west;" An excellent fellow, prudent in undertaking. 
• A Doctor too emerged as we proceeded;" extremely knowledgeable about his field of interest: medicine and surgery; a perfect practicing physician.
• "A worthy woman from beside Bath city..." Somewhat deaf, her face: bold, handsome, red in blue. 
• "There was, and poor, the Parson to a town..." rich in thought and work, and a clerk, benign and diligent. 
• "There was a Plowman with him there, his brother..." Honest, good, true.
• "The Miller was a chap of sixteen stone...": Great fellow, a master-hand at stealing grain. 
• "The Reeve was old and choleric and thin;" Could judge by watching drought and rain. 
•  "There was a Summoner with us in the place...": A gentle varlet and a kind one. But drinks a lot. 
• "He and a gentle Pardoner rode together..."
• "Our Host gave us a great welcome...": A striking man, and fit to be the marshall. Bold yet wise.

MY MASTERPIECE 1

I had misinterpreted what my masterpiece was supposed to be. Honestly, I wasn't even sure what it was supposed to be in the first place, let alone, know what I'm gonna do in it. I used to consider it as just an another assignment, but since my friend told me how she had talked about it to Dr. Preston and how he explained it to her, I started having more of an idea. It's supposed to allow us to think outside the box about what's truly important to us and how it makes us passionate to acquire knowledge and excellence toward what we do, instead of hoping to achieve victory. I think my Masterpiece will include something about multi-cultural people and traditions, not because I want to make a future out of it but because it interests me to hear people, their culture, their tradition, and compare it with mine. If I decide to do it on a subject that I would like to continue throughout my life and major in it in college, I would be interested in doing a project which involves helping the ones who truly need it and earning satisfaction through their blessings and smiles. So, as unsure about my Masterpiece as I am, I'm definitely sure that it will give me a different insight into my own personality that I had never known and realized before.

DECLARATION OF LEARNING INDEPENDENCE

We, the students of Ernest Righetti High School, declare that our learning will solely be based on our independent perspective, method, and desire of what and how to learn. We also declare that our medium of handling the independent learning is Open Source Learning - a unique way to include the world around us as a united community.  We, as learners, take full responsibility to understand the material, be self motivated to work harder, and be consistent in our efforts to improve ourselves as critical readers, thinkers, and writers. We declare ourselves free from the typical school and learning environment to explore something new and different for the sake and benefit of our brighter futures.

I think that every learner has an independent way of learning. So a specific way should not be assigned to them as an assignment or a grade, requiring the student to do it, making them uncomfortable and even somewhat resistant and hesitant towards school. The atmosphere of classes should be in such a manner that students not only are unafraid to speak up and share their valuable opinions, but also enjoy while doing so. And the only way for this to be possible is for teachers to allow students, only to a certain extent of course, to use their independent learning style and combine it with the academic requirements to end up with a magnificently genius way of thinking and learning. 

VOCABULARY # 4

Definitions:

obsequious - adj. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner;attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
beatitude - noun one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed); a state of supreme happiness
bete noire - noun a person or thing that one particularly dislikes
bode - verb indicate by signs
dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid
ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion
fetid - adj. offensively malodorous
gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky
heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
incubus - noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
infrastructure - noun the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization
inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation
lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
protege - noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career
prototype - noun a standard or typical example
sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
truckle - noun a low bed to be slid under a higher bed; verb yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Sentences:

obsequious - When they found out that he was the perfect resource for obtaining the scholarship for their college expenses, they started writing him obsequious letters, accounting him to be the best and most important person in the education department.
beatitude - When I won the third runner up award in ALOHA, a professional math class, and that too nationwide, I was so beatitude that my smile was all across my face and my eyes were filled with light.
bete noire - Cleanliness and organization is something so important to my mom that anyone who's untidy and disorganized is my mom's bete noire.
bode - In order to not get caught by the teacher for cheating, the student bode his friend by lifting up his eyebrows and flashing the number by his hands.
dank - The most cliched setting in a horror movie when a character is about to see the monster or die is a dank basement, which is dark, unreasonably quiet and even a little foggy.
ecumenical - To give the rights that all the people demand and deserve, most of the governments of the countries now have ecumenical laws - giving the people freedom but also maintaining unity.
fervid - The movie about South African kids, losing their parents and their childhood because of the horrific events taking place, was an extremely fervid experience, when I could barely control the tears sliding down my cheeks.
fetid - He was so fetid that the people around him without gagging.
gargantuan - Looking at the gargantuan pile of dishes, I refused to do that chore for that day.
heyday - When the company introduced the line of clothes by the most famous designer in the country, that year was a heyday for the producers.
incubus - When I heard her story about not getting accepted in any colleges that she applied to, even though she was a bright student, I completely thought of her being an incubus, ruining my entire day - making me feel unhopeful.
infrastructure - In order to achieve success and profit, the CEO of the company himself designed the infrastructure of it, taking into account the all four kinds of resources.
inveigle - Ever since a kid, I have always been inveigled by my family to pursue a career in medical field because it not only pays well in terms of money, but it also pays well in terms of self-satisfaction.
kudos - The judges reflected on his dance by saying, "It's amazing how you always bring something new and unique on the stage to prove your versatility. Your effort proved to be in the right path as the performance was amazing. Kudos to both of you." 
lagniappe - When I went to buy breakfast, the cashier gave me a lagniappe for two reasons: one, because my purchase was of a high amount and second, I had to wait for her to come to the register.
prolix - When I asked a question to my teacher, he took a prolix amount of time, making me so confused - I myself forgot what my question was.
protege - Understanding her potential for success, the doctor accepted the individual as his protege because of her determination towards achieving her goal.
prototype - Whenever a model of excellence is shown, he's always used as a prototype for the school because he was the first one to pursue a doctorate degree with his hard work and dedication.
sycophant - In order to gain a date to the prom, the sycophant started to present her with all kinds of gifts, flowers, and surprises - hoping she would say yes to him when asked.
tautology - With the teacher agreeing with me, I was confident that my argument was a tautology and that the room of students had no choice but to agree with me.
truckle - My friend's parents were so overprotective that they made her sleep in a truckle in their bedroom, allowing them to be on top of her life (literally!)

THE EFFORT TO SUCCESS

            Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister: a former athlete; a physician; an academic – how can one man be at all these positions and still maintain the passion, energy and determination to keep getting better at it and not give up? Bannister said, “The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.” There will be millions of reasons to quit. Millions of excuses to not move forward. Millions of ways to ignore the task. But there will be only one reason, one excuse, one way to inspiration. And once the source of inspiration is found, the pain, the effort, and the hard work will seem like a pleasure. It will seem like a description of a real and new you. In the movie chef, the chef says, “I get to touch people’s lives with what I do. And it keeps me going and I love it.” The moment one finds the driving force in one’s life, one is no longer scared of struggle and the effort it takes to get past it. In fact, as Bannister said, it drives you to win.

            Roger Bannister was the first person to run a sub four-minute mile. Bannister was the least trained out of all the other Olympics competitors. He believed himself to be better at a shorter run like a mile, rather than a longer run. “I found longer races boring. I found the mile just perfect.” With Bannister coming in fourth for the 1500 m race, and not winning a medal, he set a British record of 3:46.30. This defeat and disappointment gave him courage and strength to be the first four-minute mile runner. Defeat strengthens an individual in such a way that a renewed sense of determination takes over.

                   After setting the record, Bannister said, “he felt prouder of his contribution to academic medicine through research into the responses of the nervous system.” You don’t have to be best at everything: this is something everyone can learn from Bannister. He did not win the medal he desired. He did not achieve the victory that he desired. But he achieved the most important aspect of life: experience. He earned the experience that will constantly shape him into a well-rounded and dynamic individual. After athletics, he pursued the career of neurology and became a “distinguished neurologist.” The effort and hard work from the practice in running helped him to become successful as a neurologist and even as an individual. He became the man who drove himself further once the effort got painful, and became a winner at the end.

LITERATURE ANALYSIS # 1: LITTLE WOMEN BY LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

1) Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in the past courses. Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose.
a) Introduction/Exposition: The book opens around Christmas, with the four sisters - Meg March, Jo March, Beth March, and Amy March - deciding what they should each gift themselves for Christmas. With all of them mourning over their poverty, they soon realized that their love and happiness should be shared with their mother - Marmee - and they each decide to buy her a gift.
b) Rising Action: As the four sisters grow up, without a father figure in their house, they face many day to day problems, making them into mature adults. In this process, they get introduced to many different people around them, especially Laurie - their next door neighbor, turning out to be an extremely important part of their lives.
c) Conflict: As the sisters gradually realize their flaws, they try to grow up by improving themselves and making themselves better individuals.
d) Climax: The moment when Jo - the protagonist of the story - proves her as a mature and independent adult by refusing Laurie's proposal to marriage.
e) Falling Action: Beth ends up dying towards the end. Amy and Laurie end up meeting in France again and fall in love. Jo waits for Professor Bhaer.
f) Resolution: Amy and Laurie have a daughter, whom they name Beth. Jo ends up finding and opening a school for boys, requiring her to put her dream career (as a writer) on hold.

The third person omniscient narrative allows the author to achieve her purpose of describing the hardships of growing up by describing all the events to all the characters - their reactions, opinions, thoughts, beliefs, and actions - instead of focusing on one person. If the author were to have a first person or a third person, it would have restricted her in describing the purpose because the readers - even unintentionally - would have been biased towards that character.

2) Succinctly describe the theme of the novel.
There are multiple themes of the book - from growing up to the struggle of being a woman. Since the March family did not have a male figure in the house, the women were not only suffering financially but also mentally. Marmee had to be mentally strong to handle her four daughters - who were not that mature and were growing up to enter their adulthood. The March women also faced the problems of either working or starting a family. While Marmee was doing everything she could to keep the family intact, she also had to do minor jobs to run her house.

3) Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your points.
Since the POV was third person omniscient, the author's tone during most of the book was matter-of-factly. Once in a while, the author was compassionate towards the situations of the March women and their hardships in life. She was also a little serious towards the issue that growing up is extremely hard requires strength and determination.

4) Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers.
1) Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing of Jo's and Mr. Bhaer's marriage when Jo says he's a great singer and that she sings a duet with him. "You will sing with me? We go excellently well together." (Pg: 421)
2) Symbols: Burns: "What a queer smell! It's like burned feathers." (Pg: 25) The burn of Jo's dress or Jo burning Meg's hair symbolizes Jo's resistance to become lady-like.
3) Imagery: "Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire." (Pg: 15) Creates a mental picture for audience to "see" the poverty faced by the woman and kids.
4) Allegory: The sisters' 'pilgrimage' imitate "John Bunyan's allegory The Pilgrim's Progress."
5) Allusions: "That's loving our neighbor better than ourselves, and I like it." (Pg: 17) Meg says this, which is an allusion to the Biblical quote: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
6) Personification: "And then the rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned, and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting." (Pg: 14) Describes how Christmas was a new beginning for the sisters.
7) Metaphor: "...'I'm so sorry, but the tongs were too hot, and so I've made a mess,' groaned poor Jo, regarding the black pancakes with tears of regret." (Pg: 25) Describes the extent to which the hair was burnt.
8) Simile: "But Jo, who didn't care much for girls, or girlish gossip, stood about with her back carefully against the wall, and felt as much out of place as a colt in a flower garden." (Pg: 26)
9) Characterization: The author mostly uses indirect characterization, but does have some direct characterization. The author says (Pg: 6) that "as young people like to know 'how people look,' we will take this moment to give them a little sketch..." The author clearly believes in indirect characterization because actions do speak louder than words.
10) Point of View: The author uses third person omniscient POV to allow readers to understand, be able to analyze, and relate to the characters and their personalities and not feel biased towards the protagonist.


CHARACTERIZATION:

1) Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end?
a) Direct Characterization: "Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, of which she was rather vain." (Pg: 6)
"Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin and brown, and reminded one of a colt, for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way." (Pg: 6)
b) Indirect Characterization: "Don't laugh at me, Jo! I didn't mean anyone to should know till the time came. I only meant to change the little bottle for a big one, and I gave all my money to get it, and I'm truly trying not to be selfish any more." (A dialogue by Amy) (Pg: 15)
"Mrs. March gave the mother tea and gruel, and comforted her with with promises of help, while she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own." (Pg: 16)

The author uses both approaches to make the characters more realistic for the audience. It allows the readers to engage, not only with the narrative but also with the characters. Using both characterization allows the readers to understand a character to such an extent, that they can almost hear them think and see them act.

2) Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
The author's syntax and diction does change when she focuses on a character because she narrates in the way that the character would talk. It makes the story and the character come alive and allows the readers to get an insight to the personality of a character because changing the syntax or diction will make the readers understand the intensity and importance of an obstacle and/or of another character. An example could be, when Alcott talks about Jo, suddenly her diction changes to a tomboyish girl, with problems about dressing up, being a woman, etc. This happened when Jo and Laurie started talking at the party - hiding away from everyone else.

3) Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
The protagonist is a dynamic, round character because her thoughts, emotions, goals, beliefs, etc. were depicted in the story. Alcott represented Jo, the protagonist, as a strong, independent woman - who wants to become a writer and hates how she has to dress like a woman, look like a woman, behave like a woman, etc. but still she was willing to do so when she read her dad's letter in the beginning of the story and how he has high expectations of her. These little emotions and actions can help the readers to conclude that Jo is a dynamic and round character.

4) After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
I came away feeling like I met myself. I could completely relate to Jo because of her inability to figure out if she should just be herself and listen to her heart or follow what her parents and sisters expect from her. For example, in the middle of the book, Jo finds out that her dad - Mr. March is sick - but she doesn't have money to go to him. She sells her hair to fund her trip. This deep love of her for her family completely describes who I am. Or, for example, when her dad sends her a letter, he says in it that he hopes Jo is fulfilling the responsibility that he left her with. Jo decides to try and change herself to make her father happy. When I was little, I was always told that I should be a doctor. This expectation made me change myself and I forced myself to like Biology. And even God wanted me to make my parents proud, and biology really did become my goal. Reading the characterization of Jo made me come away with the feeling that I was put in that story and I was the one going through the hurdles and choices.

VOCABULARY # 3

Definitions:

accolade - noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
attrition - noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice; erosion by friction
bromide - noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
chauvinist - noun an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing state
factionalism - adj. of a faction or factions; self-interested; partisan
immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
mercurial - adj. relating to or containing or caused by mercury;relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
protocol - noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor
stigmatize - verb mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
sub rosa - adj., adv. happening or done in secret
vainglory - noun outspoken conceit
vestige - noun an indication that something has been present
volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

Sentences:

accolade - When I looked at my mother for her decision about prom night, she gave me a slight nod as an accolade for me to attend it.
acerbity - When I yelled at my little sister, my acerbity was clearly understood by my other family members.
attrition - As the body went for postmortem report, the doctor described how the bones showed attrition because of too much exposure to radioactive elements. 
bromide - As I described a situation to her, she created an embarrassing moment for herself by replying with a bromide, that just made her look superficial.
chauvinist - Hitler, the most chauvinist leader in American history, killed millions of Jews - blaming the defeat of Germany in WWI on them. 
chronic - As my grandma found out about her chronic disease, Pancreatic cancer, she had no choice but to wait for her death and bear the gradually increasing pain.
expound - When Darwin introduced the theory of natural selection, he didn't have the reason behind it but scientists, over time, have expounded many diminutive details by providing research data and observations. 
factionalism - Because of newer religious based groups arising and conflicting with the nation's peace, it can be predicted that there will be factionalism between and among different countries and states because of religious tensions.
immaculate - My mom is always worried about presentation and how our house, particularly my room, looks and so always urges me to clean it and have it be the most immaculate room in the house.
imprecation - One of the most common themes in animated movies is a witch throwing imprecations at the princess to make herself seem either more appealing or wealthier.
ineluctable - The hardships in one's life are ineluctable because they're written in one's destiny - and one cannot change it.
mercurial - Some species are mercurial as they emerge suddenly or rapidly in geologic time period, a process known as punctuated equilibrium, and then might only exist for some thousand years because of some disadvantageous mutation.
palliate - As my knee had extra fluid, it caused tremendous amount of pain - requiring a physical therapist to palliate my pain by either giving me medications or physical therapy.
protocol - The accepted protocol of a formal party is to wear a shirt with a suit over it and also increasing your group of references by introducing yourself to the attendees.
resplendent - To become a model or an actress, one needs to re resplendent.
stigmatize - Burger King was stigmatized when it was said that their beef was not cow but horse meet.
sub rosa - A group of kids gathered sub rosa, not to do drugs or consume alcohol, but to discuss a rebellion in the school the next day against racism.
vainglory - When he received an Oscar award, he suddenly became vainglory - having a conversation about nothing else but his abilities and talents, making him the most qualified to receive it.
vestige - Fossils are vestiges that prokaryotic cells emerged or developed before eukaryotic cells.
volition - Every individual has a capability of making a volition - whether to focus more on academics and become more successful or get off track and focus more on enjoying life rather than working hard.

MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS

My Big Question was: How was life formed? How did we come about? How did the human existence start to exist?

Since I'm in AP Biology, I have come across a lot of theories and research that scientists have conducted about the formation of human life. In my future, I want to (not yet sure, though!) go into research based genetics where they not only research the future generations and life on Earth in the next coming years, but they also look at life in the past and genes inherited by individuals and research on mutations that have occurred that are either advantageous or disadvantageous for the population. Even though all these ideas are floating in my head, I still am in the process of putting my Masterpiece together. So as excited as I am to expose my research, my interest and my USP to the world around me, I am willing to take it one step at a time so as to end up with my best work. As they always say, "Slow and steady wins the race." 

BEOWULF ESSAY

            “The man whose name was known for courage, the Great leader, resolute in his helmet, answered in return: ‘We are retainers, from Hygelac’s band. Beowulf is my name.’” This introductory declaration about Beowulf by Beowulf himself describes his struggle to build up and form the reputation that he has, gaining it through his great deeds in life. Beowulf describes a hero and his epic journey of his life through his confidence, fidelity, valor, and determination. With Beowulf depicting an idol for every reader since traditional literary time period, the concept of heroism hasn’t changed much over time. Beatrice Prior, “heroic” protagonist of Divergent by Veronica Roth, faces comparable difficulties and victories in life as of Beowulf, but the readers’ perception towards the theme of the book or the character changes because of the feminist narration and a female hero.

            A propensity of readers is to analyze a book or a work of art and to scrutinize, and sometimes even criticize the author or the artist’s biographical background and beliefs and then form judgments on their work based on it. But in Beowulf’s case, readers are restricted because the author is unknown. Its author uses literary techniques such as foreshadowing, metaphors, similes, irony, hyperbole, personification, etc and conveys them through syntax and diction that is grandiose, formal, and exaggerated – hyperbole. A monster, Grendel, is given a name and characteristics as of a human being and presented to the audience as a terrifying enemy and obstacle for Beowulf to overcome. Beowulf is depicted to be a confident, fearless, and generous character, who has unstinted love for his people and willing to risk and sacrifice his life for them. The grandiose diction allows the author to bring the level of intensity and courage of Beowulf to an elevated level, almost impossible to achieve by a normal individual. With Beowulf becoming an icon of heroism for authors of all periods of time, authors have now found a new approach for characteristics and actions of a hero.

            “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”¹ Contemporary readers have developed this perception towards the basic concept of heroism: it is merely a fight of good vs. evil and heroism is the victory of good over evil. It allows the readers to deem that heroes are authentic because they can also exist in real life. Beatrice (“Tris”) Prior is a paragon of a contemporary hero. She’s strong, confident, and an independent woman who lives not only for herself but also for the community around her. But unlike traditional heroes, such as Beowulf, authors characterize modern heroes with a personal fight that they have to overcome without external help – an internal conflict. Beowulf had no internal conflict, allowing him to make a decision solely based his instincts and self-confidence. But for Tris, her internal conflict was to choose a faction that both contented her parents and herself. Throughout the entire book or even series, Tris went through an epic journey of discovering who she truly is while fighting the external forces such as society and authority. With Tris becoming a revolutionary figure, readers get inspiration to start a movement. Also with modern heroes, as said in the quote, they’re sober – so don’t have attitude or arrogance about their abilities or characteristics. Because of this, readers might consider Beowulf to be quite arrogant as he said that he’ll fight the monster – even naked. With readers’ perception changing, the future generation heroes might even seem more realistic than those as of now.

            Although Beowulf and Tris seem to be differentiated by the time period and the literary techniques used in both pieces of literature, they do have many similarities as well. Obviously since both the characters are heroes, they both have an enemy, an antagonist – someone or something they need to fight. Even though they’re heroes, they still need someone to rely on, someone to trust. Beowulf needed Hrothgar to support his followers and his people if something were to happen to him. Tris, even though had her entire family, needed someone to take care of them and so had Four to do it. But female heroes are still not as prominent as male. According to a CNN news report, young adult literature focuses more on emotions – to sadden, to shock, or to awaken – and on characteristics of the plot, setting, and characters. And authors find their ability to do it on a greater extent with men protagonists than with women. Since female characters face more and complex problems in life than male characters do, Beowulf would’ve been more complex and convoluted of an epic if told by a feminist perspective. The story would be less realistic if Beowulf were to be told in a feminist perspective because women were viewed to be caring, loving, and soft natured to be fighting a villain. And so, the enemy for a woman protagonist is generally weaker than a man’s. Basically, a feminist perspective would take an essence of Beowulf and his heroic abilities out of the story.

            A hero doesn’t have to be a fictional character who’s smart, talented, strong, good looking, and all those qualities merged into one – but only has to be kind hearted and courageous enough to start a movement. Even though both Tris and Beowulf had their own abilities that set them apart from a normal crowd, they only had the courage to stand up against the wrong – Beowulf against Grendel and Tris against authority – that made them heroes. This major quality gives the readers hope and inspiration that even they can be heroes. A quote from Tris’s faction, Dauntless, that perfectly captures this idea, is: “We believe in ordinary acts of bravery in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”

¹ A quote by Arthur Ashe

WILL STUDY FOR FOOD

The scholarships which I am currently working on are the Elks and Chamber of Commerce. Both the scholarships have monthly opportunity where an applicant has to only apply for once and then you have a chance to win in any of the 8 months' time period. I need this scholarship money to not only help me supply money for tuition, books, housing, etc. for college but also to allow me to have enough self confidence and trust in myself so that I keep the determination to apply for more opportunities. These scholarships will allow me to learn the process of writing good essays/personal statements, to have a strong senior resume, and also to understand the importance of being involved in school and community. I hope to earn the student of the month (and if qualified enough for the requirements, student of the year!) award but it will be more of a learning experience rather than a desire to earn money.

VOCABULARY # 2

Definitions: 

accoutrements - noun personal clothing, accessories, etc.; the equipment, excluding weapons and clothing, of a soldier.
apogee - noun apoapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth; a final climactic stage
apropos - adj. of an appropriate or pertinent nature; adv. by the way; at an opportune time
bicker - noun a quarrel about petty points; verb argue over petty things
coalesce - verb fuse or cause to grow together; mix together different elements
contretemps - noun an awkward clash
convolution - noun the action of coiling or twisting or winding together; a convex fold or elevation in the surface of the brain; the shape of something rotating rapidly
cull - noun the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality; verb remove something that has been rejected;look for and gather
disparate - adj. including markedly dissimilar elements;fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
dogmatic - adj. characterized by assertion of unproved or unprovable principles; relating to or involving dogma; of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
licentious - adj. lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
mete - noun a line that indicates a boundary
noxious - adj. injurious to physical or mental health
polemic - adj. of or involving dispute or controversy; noun a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma); a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)
populous - adj. densely populated
probity - noun complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
repartee - noun adroitness and cleverness in reply
supervene - verb take place as an additional or unexpected development
truncate - adj. terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off; verb make shorter as if by cutting off; approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one; replace a corner by a plane
unimpeachable - adj. beyond doubt or reproach; completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach; free of guilt; not subject to blame

Sentences:

accoutrements -  As the Lieutenant gave the call signal to the soldiers, they carried their accoutrements and marched out for the training that they needed.
apogee -  Whenever an asteroid approaches Earth, scientists usually try to destroy it when it's at an apogee, hoping to cause minimal destruction to Earth.
apropos -  The apropos attire at a formal meeting or interview is a professional shirt, pants, tie along with a suit.
bicker - The best part about a mother and a daughter's relationship is the small bickers that they have about exaggerated issues. 
coalesce - In chemistry, the common thing in all the labs or practical activities is that the students are always required to coalesce chemicals, and then observe the results.
contretemps - While under the impression that his best friend had broken up with his girlfriend, John created a contretemp for himself by bashing her and showing his dislike towards her.
convolution - It's surprising and almost unbelievable that there's a convolution of 25 feet of both large and small intestines together.
cull - Amanda always felt like a nobody in front of her sister because her family treated her as a cull as opposed to her sister, who was the center of attention and an idol for everything and everyone.
disparate - Immigrants always feel the two cultures - the home country and the new one - to disparate to such an extent that they seem to be clashing against each other.
dogmatic - The contemporary generation has suddenly become practical towards religious and spiritual concepts, considering them dogmatic and not containing enough data.
licentious - Adults consider kids nowadays to be licentious because they seem be too wild without any motivation and inspiration in life.
mete - The imaginary mete between U.S.A and Canada is the longest one in the world, being 8,891 kilometers long.
noxious - Smoking is noxious to every individual - no matter what their age is.
polemic - It has recently become a polemic whether Columbus truly found the land of US or not.
populous - India is the second most populous country in the world, first being China.
probity - It is extremely rare to see employees nowadays doing more than they need and showing probity towards their employer, company or work.
repartee - A true sense of humor is when an individual replies with a repartee to a statement or situation he/she faces or is provided with.
supervene - Nigeria recently supervened, by declaring its GDP to be at 89%  - worth $510 billion.
truncate - To match the piece of paper with the actual size of the notebook, the student truncated it to fit the notebook to glue it in.
unimpeachable - When the police investigate a case, they make sure that every proof and witness is unimpeachable so that the jury has no difficulty in making a unanimous decision.