Introduction: This is my "me Magazine" My most favorite piece of work during the whole year. Making this was just so fun. Well, this magazine tells you what my interests are and what i like to
do. I posted my magazine on photobucket so it would be easy to view. Don't forget to read the description to see what my pages were about.

Jhonas Dunakin  6/1/11
Red​

I’ve never really cared for the English language as most people do. I preferred Spanish among all other languages. Spanish has easy spelling in grammar, in order to spell a word you literally sound it out and that’s how you spell it. Conjugations are also very easy for me they come to me as quick as a rabbit hopping. But from my ninth grade experience at this school I’ve found a hidden love for English. That love for English you could say was hidden in a cocoon waiting to come out big and beautiful as you can see from my portfolio. My writing style changed and has become more meaningful than boring and dull. It has a certain piazzas that I’ve seemed to develop. As a young freshmen English student this portfolio shows my growth. It represents that through hard work and dedication you can achieve anything. I was never a good writer and through these projects and journal entries I learned to write with feeling and emotion in each word.

 

With this hidden love comes the exploration my strengths and weaknesses in English. I can’t spell to save my life, you can even ask my English teacher Ms. Dunn. We learned new complicated fancy words that we added to our vocabulary. We learned words like brood and Malinger. I had to use spell check for both of those words I can’t spell. With weaknesses includes certain strengths. A strength I find very useful is the ability to plan out what I want to write and how I want to write it. As I write this introduction I know how I wanted this to lay out and the style I wanted to write it in. I need to work on the vocabulary words we learned. They’re good words to know but I just can’t spell them.

 

This portfolio holds many memories both good and bad. Going through my work I look back and I remember the time when I was writing my me magazine. It was the first benchmark I have ever done. I sat there with a blank sheet of paper and thought to myself, what will my classmates think of me? What should I write? What will they think of me if I write this? But now I feel as if I can say or ask anything from my fellow peers. A bad experience I’ve had is frustration with my Character Comparison with my Odyssey project. Frustration will always get the best of you in every situation. There are a select few though that know how to deal with that frustration a positive way. I had to compare a character from the odyssey to another character. But I decided to take on the challenge of comparing a real life historical figure Al Capone with Odysseus. I was difficult comparing those, even though it might seem that they have lots of similarities at first they always connect with one being a real person and the other fictional. I eventually connected the two in the best way I knew how.

 

I’ve done so much work in for this class. It was exhausting but the feeling you get at the end of each project is amazing, it’s a feeling of accomplishment. The piece I’m most proud of has to be my character comparison. It may not be the most written but I spent hours on it, finding ways the two could connect. I got an 87 as a final grade for it but I accepted the challenge and I tried my best, and to me that’s what matters the most. Thank you Ms. Dunn for teaching me the beauty of English.

My first writing I've done in this school. I'm also very proud of this piece since I was trying to impress the teacher at the time with the little writing ability I had. It turned out to be a good grade and it turns out my hard work payed off.

​Jhonas Dunakin                        How Macbeth Lost His Way                                     Red

11/4/10

Macbeth has changed tremendously throughout the story; he went from a war hero to a dead traitor who was killed by one of his friends. In the beginning of the play everyone liked him. He had strong connections and he was the second most powerful man in all of Scotland towards the middle of the play. Then towards the middle of the play he started to change into a new Macbeth one that was in control and wanted to keep it that way, for a long time. He killed his best friend Banquo and attempted to kill his son to ensure that his kids wouldn’t be kings. He also did the same thing to Macduff. In the end Macbeth seemed to slowly come back because he felt guilt and fear. If he were spared he would’ve returned to normal eventually. Here is proof to all my reasoning.

 

In Act 1 scene 2 of Macbeth, King Duncan is with the Captain. Duncan is very grateful is for what the captain did for Macbeth. Duncan was so pleased because now he is able to kill the current Thane of Cawdor and replace him with Macbeth. “This is the sergeant who like a good and hardy soldier fought ‘gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend; say to the king the knowledge of the broil as thou didst leave it.” (Act 1, scene 2, lines 4-8) This quote reveals that Macbeth is kind and grateful for this man who has saved him. Which shows that Macbeth is a kind and gracious man, even the King respects him. He is strongly connected with his friends now in the play.

           

In Act 1 scene 3 of Macbeth, Macbeth is with Banquo. They are talking about the witch’s prophecy. Macbeth seems very confused with his side of the prophecy. It seems like he is iffy about what they predicted. Banquo is very pleased about what the witches have to say to him. He likes that his son’s and his son’s children will be king, that there will be a long line of kings in his family. “ If chance will have making, why, chance may crown me without my stir.” (Act 1 scene 3, lines 144-146) This quote reveals that Macbeth is starting to have thoughts about him being king. He’s starting to question the prophesy the witch’s have told him and Banquo. It’s the making of a new Macbeth and his personality changes. He’s beginning to have thoughts but doesn’t plan to take any action. It seems like he’s going to wait for the moment when he just automatically becomes king. Macbeth seems to assume that no one will find out what is going to happen and his friends will remain loyal to him.

 

In Act 1 scene 7 of Macbeth, Macbeth is at his house. He’s having a feast with King Duncan. Macbeth is starting to talk to himself about the plan of the assassination of Duncan. “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well if were done quickly. If the assassination could trammel up the consequence and catch with surcease success.” (Act 1, scene 7, lines 1-4) This reveals that Macbeth is willing to go through with the assassination of Duncan.  He seems semi confident that this plan will actually work and Macbeth will rule Scotland as King. He seems to be turning into a new Macbeth because he’s talking to himself about an assassination, the old Macbeth would never do that. That’s why there are two sides of Macbeth arguing with one another. He’s being very secretive which is why he’s alone.

 

 

In Act 1 scene 7 of Macbeth, Macbeth is still talking to himself about the assassination attempt on Duncan. He’s debating weather he should go through with it or leave it alone. He is alone during the soliloquy and has left the room where the feast is being held. “He’s here in double trust: first, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself” (Act 1, scene 7, lines 15-16) This is the good none treacherous half of Macbeths personality who is talking. He says Duncan trusts him and believes he will be Duncan’s right hand man.  He doesn’t want to feel like a failure and traitor to his own country. Which is why he’s currently debating the subject on weather to kill Duncan or betray his wife by not executing the plan. Macbeth doesn’t want to lose his trust in anybody close to him that includes Duncan.

 

In Act 2 scene 2 of Macbeth, Macbeth is at home and it’s the middle of the night. He has just killed King Duncan and his hands and cloths are bloody. He is currently talking to Lady Macbeth he’s in shock and can’t believe what he just did.  “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done; look on’t again I dare you not.” (Act 2, scene 2, lines 55-56)  Macbeth is regretting killing King Duncan, he has no idea why he has done it and Lady Macbeth is trying to toughen him up. Lady Macbeth is doing that by sexually bring him to her and telling him to finish what he’s started. Not to back out that he will be rewarded for what he has done.

 

In Act 3 scene 1 of Macbeth, Macbeth is talking to the assassins about killing Banquo. He is trying to convince them that its his fault that there lives are pretty bad. “Not i’ th’ worst rank of manhood, say’t; and I will put that bosoms whose execution takes your enemy off, Grapples you to the health but sickly in his life, which I his death were perfect” (Act 3, scene 1, lines 103-108). Macbeth is convincing them that this is the time to take back their vengeance and strike back. The assassins seem to agree; Macbeth seems to reveal a very convincing side of him. He will go to any lengths to get what he wants and will even kill his best friends to get to were he wants to go.

 

In Act 4 scene 1 of Macbeth, Macbeth is explaining his evil plot. He’s going hire the assassins and they’re going to everyone in Macduff’s house. They’re going to go into the house and kill everyone who’s in there to stop Macduff and his family in becoming King.  “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (Act 4, scene 1, lines 172-174). Macbeth reveals his inner evil he had all these years.  He is going to try to shut down Macduff mentally to strike fear in others. This reveals a brand new Macbeth, one that is willing to take it a step further than he should, even if it does mean breaking the line of friendship with Macduff.

 

In Act 5 scene 3 of Macbeth, Macbeth is in his castle talking to himself. He has just found out from his servant that a force of ten thousand man have come to try to kill him. Macbeth is afraid but will fight to the death he has nothing to lose. “The devil, damn the black, thou cream-faced loon” (Act 5, scene 3, line 11). Macbeth reveals that his transformation from good to evil is now complete. If you observe from past scenes he would never say that to his servants or other people. But he is now showing that he is the ruler so you should fear him. Which means he wants to stay in control for a long time and will not rest until he knows his position in power is safe. At this point in the story he has no one to trust, the closets person he has to a friend is Seyton his servant.

 

In Act 5 scene 3 of Macbeth, Macbeth is talking to himself. He starts to reveal himself a little bit in these lines. He’s in his castle waiting for the invasion to start. He is putting on his armor and getting into his mood to fight “My way of life is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf, and that which should accompany old age” (Act 5, scene 3, lines 24-25). Macbeth reveals that he’s starting to show weakness and give up. Macbeth has never shown to ever give up. He always has the never give up never surrender attitude toward everything he’s encountered. Until now, he finally realizes that all hope is lost and will fail, but he jus won’t give up. He has nothing to lose his wife is mentally dead, he has no friends, and everyone in Scotland fears him.

 

In Act 5 scene 5 Macbeth, Macbeth is in his castle and has just heard a scream. The scream is from Lady Macbeth she has just committed suicide. All the women in the castle are in shock. “I have almost forgot the taste of fears”(Act 5, scene 5, line 9). Macbeth is showing weakness again and has almost shown almost no sign of it.  But only recently towards the end of the play has he started to slowly return to old Macbeth from the beginning of the play. But even though he seems to be showing no emotion in these lines he feels fear for the first time in a long time. He has nothing to lose, so there is no reason to give up.

Macbeth changes from a good person and war hero, to a traitor, to slowly coming back to the Macbeth from the beginning of the play.  But he is killed before he can completely transform to old Macbeth. In my opinion he only changed out of fear. He lost his wife to suicide and his once best friends were coming with a giant army to kill him. No one likes him anymore not even his own wife. He knew his time was over, but his personality will never give up. So he worked with what he had, he lost and died.

Introduction:

            Throughout the year we as students had to read two books and write a book review on it. My second book review was on the book “Shug”. But for this book review the students were allowed the choice of something creative, I chose to do a podcast.

 

 

Independent Reading:

 

 

Introduction:

            Throughout the year we as students had to read two books and write a book review on it. My first book review was on the book “The Skin I’m in”.

Independent Reading:

                                                               The Skin I’m in

The title of this book is called The Skin I’m in by Sharon G. Flake. This book won plenty of awards and recognitions for its stellar material and meaning. Some of these awards and recognitions are…

• Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent
• Publishers Weekly Author to Watch
• New York Public Library Top Ten Book for the Teen Age
• YALSA Best Books for Young Adult Readers
• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
• Texas Lonestar Reading List
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
• YWCA Racial Justice Award
• Detroit Free Library Author of the Year Award
• Starred Review in Publishers Weekly

From what I researched it seems that The Skin I’m in was made into a movie.

            The Skin I’m in is about a seventh grader named Maleeka. Who is tormented because of the clothes her mother makes her because she can’t afford new ones, her perfect grades and if that weren’t enough they would make fun of how dark her skin is. On top of all that she would hang out with the wrong crowd. Maleeka hangs out with the meanest girl in school, Charlese. The gang she hangs out with makes fun of her and they smoke in the girls bathroom most of the school day. Charlese mouths off to the teachers and messes around with other girls boyfriends. If she is almost caught by the girlfriend of the boy she tells them that it wasn’t her it was Maleeka. Maleeka takes this because every day Charlese brings in nice new pretty clothes and accessories for her to wear for the day. One day a new teacher shows up named Ms. Saunders with white starchy blotches on her face. Maleeka thinks that her life can’t get any worse until this lady comes and makes everything worse than it already was. Ms. Saunders decides that she wants to teach Maleeka to have more self-confidence and to not care what other people say or think and to just be herself no matter what. Maleeka wishes that Ms. Saunders would just leave her alone and go away. Charlese comes up with the idea to destroy Ms. Saunders’ room. Ms. Saunders got new velvet pillows for the children to sit on during class, nice new curtains and new stuff all over the room. They put glue all over the velvet curtains and pillows, the girls rip and make a mess of the curtains and pillows. Not wanting to into peer pressure Maleeva resists and Charlese decides to hurt her. Maleeka ta˚es a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love your self no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know is wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I fond people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this boo in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

a resists and Charlese desides to hurt her. Maleeka takes a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love yourself no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know are wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I found people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this book in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

This is based off a real life experience I had when I was eight years old. I traveled to the galapagos for the first time. Some of the best days of my life that I will never forget. ​

Jhonas Dunkain                         My Utopia: The Galapagos Islands                        1/14/11

Red

 

            I can not believe it has been seven years since I was last in the Galapagos. It feels like it just happened a couple of months ago. But there are parts of that memory that have blown away like wind blowing a leaf. But I still remember the things that were most important to me on the trip. The flight to the islands from Guayaquil Airport was around an hour and a half. I did what any eight year old would do; I asked, “are we there yet?” I did that constantly throughout the whole flight to my dad. Imagine the annoyance in his face.

When we landed in the airport it was fairly small. It had a security team, metal detectors, the whole shebang. But it was as small as a motel room. Right after security you walked a couple feet and you were at the entrance of the airport to go to the islands. As soon as you walk through the door you look for the tour guide that has the name of the people that employed him and everything you need to get ready. We waited for other people to arrive and we were off.

First we took a tour of a small zoo. The people of the island let the animals roam free but these animals were found very sick or stranded. The workers of the island put them in the zoo to be cared for and watched over until they were well enough to go free. We saw plenty of tortoises. It seems kind of obvious because the island is known for its vast population of tortoises. There were also magnificent birds like red and blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and even flamingoes! My eight year old mind could not take all of the exotic colors on all the birds. When we arrived in town the tour guide let us off his “leash” to let us explore the town. My friend Alex and his parents came a long with us to the islands as well as my grandma and uncle Rob. I bought a pair of sunglasses (which I later lost, I was going through the losing everything phase). We walked back to the tour guide who was at the docks. He explained to us the amount of crewmen and the type of boat. I remember it being a yacht but I was not excited about being on a yacht then. Boats were boats and they were all the same to me. But now I think back and… wow…I was on a yacht. We walked the dock which seemed to be old but newly refurbished. The boat was pearl shiny and white as paper. The friendly captain and his crew immediately greeted us. He explained to us everything on the boat and like the sun deck the bar and so on. There were about twelve passengers on the boat.

 

            During dinner we had a world-class chef. Now when I say world-class chef, I mean world-class chef. This guy was the next Bobby Flay. I have never liked shrimp before but his shrimp was exquisite. It is because of this chef I love seafood so much. The great thing about the fish was that it was freshly caught daily by the crew mans spare time when they go fishing. They also had a shrimp net in the back of the boat that had shrimp. That also must have played a big role in the excellent cooking. After dinner, I was exhausted so I went to bed. My grandma offered my dad and I some pills that would prevent seasickness. My dad happily took one, but I, being as stubborn as anyone could possibly be, did not want one. When we got to our room it had a very sweet smell that clogged up your lungs. It was strange to me and my dad later told me it was diesel exhaust from the engines. I slept as well as a newborn baby, with no seasickness. The next day we woke up and immediately went upstairs to greet one of my best friends Alex. We put our feet in the water and when I first touched the clear pacific water…it was warm!!! It was even warmer than heated a pool water; it was amazing, one hundred percent natural!!! Even my dad was surprised by how warm the water was. I was getting closer and closer to my utopia.

 

Before breakfast my dad challenged one of the crewmembers to a diving contest. Really bad idea dad. He is an excellent swimmer and I thought that he would easily beat the crewman. But now that I look back at it, 36-year-old man who is starting to feel the affects of vs. late twenties man who has probably spent his whole life swimming in the islands. Not very good odds. I have no idea to this day what was going on through his head. My dad took his first pencil tip dive off the boat and into the water. It must have been a good minute before he came back up to the surface. When he got pulled onto the boat he proudly said, “I could make out the bottom.” The crewman smiled a smile that only bad guys in movies smile. He dove into the water in about a minute he came back up. “I touched the bottom” he said while smiling. Everyone was awed by what just happened. I do not know how deep that was but I am pretty sure no passenger on the boat would dare touch the bottom.

After that extraordinary event, breakfast was called and everyone left except for the crewman and my dad. The crewman agreed to teach my dad to the secrets of Ecuadorian diving. I had yet another exquisite meal of bacon, pancakes, and eggs magnifique!! After the last plate was cleared, our tour guide explained to us what we were going to do for the day. We were going to an island that was covered in sea lions. The reason for that is the sea lions just had their young and they were caring for them. But he assured us that there were other things to see. I was so excited, my first island! I went down as fast as a person with ADHD on red bull. I changed, brushed my teeth, and grabbed my disposable camera in a matter of minutes. I, of course, was the first person to be ready and was waiting for other people out on the deck. There were two different black boats that would take us out to shore. When we were close to shore I could make out gold figures and my dad told me they were sea lions. I was so excited, I wanted to just shout at the sea lions to come and get me. We got to shore and they were everywhere. It was like a cockroach infestation. We were told not to touch any of the animals unless they touched us first, or we would have major problems, like being mauled by the head hancho. Who was big, very big, humongous, giant, like, like 5 me’s. We’d have no chance against him. The tour guide said watch out for scorpions or their sting would sting for two to three hours. He pointed them out and I became paranoid. When we reached a cliff he pointed out to us a blue-footed boobies nest. I kind of giggled a little bit for obvious reasons but it was interesting to see. He also showed us bones from baby blue-footed boobies and told us that they were being taught to fly. The mother would take them in the sky and if the bird did not fly, it would die. The next thing we saw were frigate birds. It was mating season for them and they would puff out their bright red chest and would make a drumming noise. It was actual drumming like an African drumming circle. It was insane to see and one of the things I would never forget. The next bird we saw were albatrosses. It was matting season for them as well. When I saw them walk they automatically became my favorite bird, and still are to this day. When it takes a step, its head bends over to the side it is stepping. It is the cutest and funniest thing I have seen a bird do. Also when the male chooses a mate they walked up to the female and they put its long yellow beak next to the females and opens them and closes them very fast. The sound is like two pieces of wood clacking together really loudly. We moved on to the center of the island and we saw pink flamingoes. They were in the lake sleeping eating and caring for there young. I loved those flamingoes. Some were very troublesome, like when one tried to steal a man’s camera. It walked over to us and everyone was in their “oh-my-god-there-is-a-flamingo-walking-over-to-us” mode. The flamingo stood there for a moment, and then quickly grabbed a mans camera as if it were a berry. The man was cursing and shouting in German and it was some sight to see. It is not everyday you see a German man and his friends fighting a flamingo for his camera. The tour guide shouted while waving his arms and scared the flamingo away. We turned around and walked back the way we came to the boats. We went back to our luxurious yacht and had a wonderful meal of fish.

 

            The next day we woke up, ate breakfast, and went to an island with just sand. There were some trees in the middle of the island. But we only stayed on the beach part the whole time. The adults went snorkeling while Alex and I went scavenging. We found some fish bones that had apparently been regurgitated by a sea lion. I had no idea what that meant but now that I know…ewwwwww. We went back to the boat and spent the rest of the day on the boat. In the afternoon I was pretty bored. I put my feet in the magical Pacific water and moved them around. There was a small piece of rope hanging from the side of the boat. I started to wave it around the water and out popped a small sea lion. I assume it was a baby sea lion because of the small size. It grabbed onto the rope and started pulling it. Than I started pulling it, it was challenging me to a game of tug a war. He pulled on his end and I pulled on mine. He lost his grip in a matter of a few short minutes. Than I started to tease him by whipping the rope up into the air and back down, he jumped out of the water and grabbed the rope and pulled it out of my hands and I never saw him again. I hope he’s making good use of that rope because I later found out it was to tie the boat up to the dock.

 

            The last night on the boat, my stubbornness finally caught up to me. I got seasick during dinner. We were having shrimp and blue-footed boobie drinks which were like sunshine in a cup. I told my dad I wasn’t feeling too good. It went something like this: “Dad, I’m not feeling too good.” “Really, what seems to be the…” The next thing you know vomit is going all over my dad. I can not even begin to explain how disgusting that was so I am going to skip the description of the vomit. I could not sleep all night, this goes for anyone, take any measure to prevent seasickness. It is not the best thing to have, trust me on that.

 

            The last day was a very emotional one for me. I had such an unforgettable time with my friend and even to the crewmembers like when they let me play video games with them and I beat them all. You can imagine the embarrassment that they felt. I would also like to thank the sea lion spot for playing with me when I was bored. He had a big spot around his eye and so that is what I decided to call him from then on. We said our last good byes to the captain and crew and the tour guide escorted us back to the motel-sized airport. We said our good byes and thanks to him and I was crying. I did not want to leave. This is as close to a utopia as I have ever gotten, and I had to leave it. We went past security, back to our plane. We took off and I left my utopia for so far seven years.

Introduction: Write my book reports were easy. But reading the book not that good. When ever i read a book i fall asleep but i still find a way to finish the book. Then after i finish the book i forgot some facts in the books that would help me alot in my book report. But i think i did pretty good in both, but some reason i think my second book report is better. It is just my opinion.
​

Twisted

Laurie Halse Anderson

 

INTRODUCTION

I have been reading a book called Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Most of you guys know her by the book called “Speak” which was New York Times bestseller. In this book report I will be telling you guys about the adventures that the main character Tyler miller goes through in this story and you guys will find out what happens to him if you continue reading.

 

SUMMARIZE

Tyler miller was a 17-year-old kid, who no one ever noticed. His popularity was so low that almost no one knew he exist, until the day where he decides to go do graffiti on the school. He does graffiti during junior year. Tyler had to pay for the consequences so he was forced to do outdoor summer work. But when he goes back to school, he becomes so much popular. Everyone noticed him, especially a girl named Bethany Millbury. Tyler and Bethany relationship do go up along in the story. But Bethany father tells Tyler that if he doesn’t stay away from her, her father will fire Tyler’s dad because he works for Bethany’s father. But also the fights of his angry dad go up. One day Tyler decided to go and get drunk at a party, which made him kind of crazy. Also the way that the staff members at his school treated with disrespect was very awful. After, when all these situations happen and he realize that being popular is really not that cool, thoughts of suicide came up on his head.

 

The Main Character of this book is Tyler, the person that the book is about. Cha

cha is Tyler’s best friend. Tyler dad is Tyler’s dad. Bethany

Is the girl that Tyler had a crush on. Bethany’s father is Tyler’s dad boss.

 

The conflict of the story is basically trying to tell you that once something good happens, there is always a after shock which hits you right after. In the book when Tyler was not popular nothing bad really happened to him, until he became popular. Then thoughts of suicide came up, which was a big deal for him and everyone around him. The type of conflict in this story is man vs. self. The reason I think so, is because Tyler is basically fighting with his own mind if he should kill him self or not.

My favorite character in the book is Tyler. Some reason I alls find the main character of the book interesting. Well, the reason why I think this is my favorite character is because Tyler goes through a lot and for some kids now if thoughts of suicide come up they attempt and sometimes it works. But for Tyler he thinks everything through which makes him very smart. In the story he had the gun ready to blast his head off, but then he thought to him self that living with his father makes him dead already.

This book teaches a lesson. It shows that when even something is going wrong talk to the person about it. It may end up bad but at least that person knows the he or she is the bad one. And also try to stay calm but keep your guard up at all times just incase anything happens.

 

 

 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

I can relate the story just a little bit. It was a long time ago where I had problems with my dad happen similar to Tyler. But instead of me wanting to kill my self it was my mom. The way my dad treated the family was kind of horrible but my mom stood strong basically watching two kids and handling with all of that. The only did I did that was similar to Tyler was doing something wrong and being popular after that. So, one day some boy decided that he wanted to go get people and jump me. It was a long time ago in the 7^th grade. I let it go until the next day at school where people keep saying things to me about what happen. So I decided to affront him he was scared. He knew if he said something I would of just hit him. After this day people started talking to me and everything became great.

 

 

                                      YOUR OPINOIN

Honestly I like this book. I really don’t like ready books but when I read this it was a bit confusing. But it keeps me interested when all the drama happens. I think that the only problem I had of with this book is that they keep changed their mood, which made me feel confuse. I couldn’t tell if it was an argument or just a talk. But the easy part of this story is that it keeps me ready until I feel asleep. Usually when I first read I just knock out but with this book I don’t knock out until 1 hour. I think this book is fine the way it is. It’s like a book that cant be change because if you change it, the story will be horrible. So, I would love for this book to stay the way it is.

 

 

YOUR RECOMMENDATION

I would recommend this book to most teen readers. Because a lot of teens these days are going through the same as Tyler miller. So, they can have a story where they can relate to and also enjoy.

 

This is the piece I'm most proud of. It's not the best written piece but I worked long and hard on this. I think my hard work payed off and I tried my best. Keep in mind that everything in this magazine represents me, even the adds. Hope you enjoy. 

​Jhonas Dunakin            Odysseus and Al Capone Connected Trough Time                        Red

3/8/11

 

            Even though Al Capone is a real life figure and Odysseus is a mythical character, their legends are both connected. Al Capone was a famous mobster for his crimes, including the Valentines Day massacre, which started the end of the North Side Gang. The way the North Side Gang was executed was very crucial. it was executed was Al Capone and his crew were disguised as policemen. They ordered the rival gang members to stand against a wall and shot them with Tommy gun till the dropped dead. Odysseus on the other hand is a famous character from many ancient Greek tales including Homer’s famous story of the Odyssey. Odysseus also fought a war against a rival. He was fighting the Trojan War and during it disguised himself and his men. But instead of them disguising themselves like Al Capone and his men, they hid away in a statue that the Trojans thought were an offer to the gods. The Trojans brought it into the city and at night they opened the gated to the city and the Greeks killed everyone. As you can see their legends have already been tied together.

 

            In addition both Al Capone and Odysseus both show signs of being strong men but sometimes not so intelligent as leaders. For example when Odysseus leads his men through Scylla and even though Circe told him that he would lose some men she told him to resist and to let it take some of his men. It’s better to loose a few men rather than all of them. “Scylla’s no mortal, she’s an immortal devastation, terrible, savage, wild, no fighting her, no defense just flee the creature, that’s the only way. Waste any time, arming for battle beside your rock, I fear she’ll lunge out again with all of her six hands and seize as many men” (Book 12, lines 130-134). Odysseus stubborn as he is, prepares himself for battle to fight it and Circe’s warning is forgotten as he decides to keep his pride high, rather than deny the challenge as he was told. “I donned my heroic armor, seized long spears in both my hands and marched out on the half deck.” (Book 12, lines 245-246) “Now Scylla snatched six men from our hollow ship, the toughest, strongest hands I had, and glancing backward over the decks, searching for my crew I could see their hands and feet already hoisted, wailing down at me, comrades riven in agony, shrieking out my name for on last time!” (Book 12, lines 264-270) Even though Odysseus’s adventure was mythical Al Capone had a similar thing happen to him. Al Capone had everything going for him; he was in charge of Chicago for the 1920’s till the early 1930’s. Even though he thought that his illegal activity was tax-free his tax lawyers told him it was not. He being as stubborn as Odysseus was he did not listen to them. He was then sued buy the U.S. government for failure to pay his income tax. He owed $215,080.48 in taxes, which in today’s modern dollar money is worth $2, 408,901.38.

 

            Furthermore Odysseus and his men was part of a famous war known as the Trojan War just like Capone was part of a gang war against the North Side gang. The Trojan War was fought by a group of ancient Greek city-states. This includes the ancient empire of Ithaca lead by King Odysseus. The way they fought their wars was way different than the gang wars. They had battle tactics and battle formations, but their motives were the same. The reason the Ithacans fought the war was to eliminate a common enemy and competition in wealth. The Trojans had a very popular trade route that would make them very wealthy. In comparison, Al Capone had competition in the same nature. Al Capone had very many rivals in the alcohol industry during the prohibition era. (1920-1933) In order to eliminate the competition and plundered all their riches he declared war with them. The end of one of the wars was the Valentines Day massacre the marked the end of the North Side gang which was smartly planned by Al Capone, just like Odysseus had planned the Trojan Horse which marked the end of the Trojan War.

 

            As a result Odysseus returned home after 20 years away from home to be greeted by suitors, just like Capone returned to his gang after 7 years in prison only to know that it was in the hands of a new leader. Odysseus after 20 long years away from home returned to Ithaca with nothing and had to fight for everything he had lost after those years. “These suitors are not just ten or twenty, they’re far more you count them up yourself now, take a moment…” (Book 16 Lines 276-277) Al Capone faced a similar task after he was let out of prison in 1939. He had to get to get in control of his gang once again. But just like Odysseus he had obstacles to get through before he could get it back. Odysseus had to make sure Penelope was safe and to be careful because it was Odysseus, Telemachus, and two servants against about 120 men. Al Capone had to fight off his numerous dieses that he developed in prison.

 

            Even though Al Capone is a real life figure and Odysseus is a mythical character, they’re legends are both connected. This statement might be true, but I’ve found a small catch to it. They have different endings to their stories.  Al Capone gave up and retired to home in Florida with his wife in 1949 and died of pneumonia, which was unrelated to any of his dieses. Odysseus on the other hand killed all the suitors and everything returned to normal. But one thing is similar about there endings. Al Capone may have died in the end but died a happy man, living happily ever after with his wife in his beautiful home in the Florida countryside. Odysseus also had a happily ever after ending with his wife and son in his giant palace in his country of Ithaca.

 

 

 

Introduction: During the whole year i feel that my jounal was the only way i can express myself. Unlike other people that just post it on facebook. Well this is 4 of my best journal entries i did in the whole year.

7. A time when you wish you could drop a part of your identity...

 

            There have been many times when I wanted to drop a part of my identity. But one is when I wanted to drop what race I am. When first moved to Philly and went to school people used to always make fun of me because of Asian. But they all thought I was smart so they keep copying my work, and when I said no, they told me not to leave school. I already knew what that meant. But to be safe I left. But I learned to live with it and as the year went on everything change. School for me was fun after that.

 

 

8.  A time when you were part of a group but didn’t want to do what the group was doing...

            Once me and my friends were bored, so we decided to go rob someone on the streets. I was in the 5^th grade but had a smart mind. I couldn’t decide if I should do it or not. But be the careless me I did. So we saw a random boy on the street and hit him, we didn’t notice but there were cops right near us and 2 of my friends got locked up, except me because I didn’t do nothing but watch. Now I think if I did join them that night my life may have been kind of different. I mean being dropped home by cops after being looked up, my mom would of never looked at me the same way.

 

9. What are people’s expectations of you? What are your own?

            I have high expectations being given. A C in my family is a failure. But I always get a C. I argue with my mom all the time telling her its not that bad, but you know most Asian parents are strict when it comes to school. My expectation is that, if I am working my ass off in school and still get a C that is perfectly fine. At least I know I tried my best.

 

15. What is a “hero”? How would you define it?

 

To me a hero is no someone you look up to or adore; it is someone who makes a change in the world. For an example Rosa Park is a hero. If it weren’t for her, colored people would still be sitting in the back of the bus. Why would you call someone like lil wayne a hero when all he did was influenced drugs, and make music to the world. Where you can have someone like Obama as a hero because he is the first black president ever.

Introduction:

            Throughout the year we as students had to read two books and write a book review on it. My first book review was on the book “The Skin I’m in”.

Independent Reading:

                                                               The Skin I’m in

The title of this book is called The Skin I’m in by Sharon G. Flake. This book won plenty of awards and recognitions for its stellar material and meaning. Some of these awards and recognitions are…

• Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent
• Publishers Weekly Author to Watch
• New York Public Library Top Ten Book for the Teen Age
• YALSA Best Books for Young Adult Readers
• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
• Texas Lonestar Reading List
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
• YWCA Racial Justice Award
• Detroit Free Library Author of the Year Award
• Starred Review in Publishers Weekly

From what I researched it seems that The Skin I’m in was made into a movie.

            The Skin I’m in is about a seventh grader named Maleeka. Who is tormented because of the clothes her mother makes her because she can’t afford new ones, her perfect grades and if that weren’t enough they would make fun of how dark her skin is. On top of all that she would hang out with the wrong crowd. Maleeka hangs out with the meanest girl in school, Charlese. The gang she hangs out with makes fun of her and they smoke in the girls bathroom most of the school day. Charlese mouths off to the teachers and messes around with other girls boyfriends. If she is almost caught by the girlfriend of the boy she tells them that it wasn’t her it was Maleeka. Maleeka takes this because every day Charlese brings in nice new pretty clothes and accessories for her to wear for the day. One day a new teacher shows up named Ms. Saunders with white starchy blotches on her face. Maleeka thinks that her life can’t get any worse until this lady comes and makes everything worse than it already was. Ms. Saunders decides that she wants to teach Maleeka to have more self-confidence and to not care what other people say or think and to just be herself no matter what. Maleeka wishes that Ms. Saunders would just leave her alone and go away. Charlese comes up with the idea to destroy Ms. Saunders’ room. Ms. Saunders got new velvet pillows for the children to sit on during class, nice new curtains and new stuff all over the room. They put glue all over the velvet curtains and pillows, the girls rip and make a mess of the curtains and pillows. Not wanting to into peer pressure Maleeva resists and Charlese decides to hurt her. Maleeka ta˚es a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love your self no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know is wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I fond people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this boo in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

a resists and Charlese desides to hurt her. Maleeka takes a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love yourself no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know are wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I found people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this book in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

Introduction:

            Throughout the year we as students had to read two books and write a book review on it. My first book review was on the book “The Skin I’m in”.

Independent Reading:

                                                               The Skin I’m in

The title of this book is called The Skin I’m in by Sharon G. Flake. This book won plenty of awards and recognitions for its stellar material and meaning. Some of these awards and recognitions are…

• Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent
• Publishers Weekly Author to Watch
• New York Public Library Top Ten Book for the Teen Age
• YALSA Best Books for Young Adult Readers
• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
• Texas Lonestar Reading List
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
• YWCA Racial Justice Award
• Detroit Free Library Author of the Year Award
• Starred Review in Publishers Weekly

From what I researched it seems that The Skin I’m in was made into a movie.

            The Skin I’m in is about a seventh grader named Maleeka. Who is tormented because of the clothes her mother makes her because she can’t afford new ones, her perfect grades and if that weren’t enough they would make fun of how dark her skin is. On top of all that she would hang out with the wrong crowd. Maleeka hangs out with the meanest girl in school, Charlese. The gang she hangs out with makes fun of her and they smoke in the girls bathroom most of the school day. Charlese mouths off to the teachers and messes around with other girls boyfriends. If she is almost caught by the girlfriend of the boy she tells them that it wasn’t her it was Maleeka. Maleeka takes this because every day Charlese brings in nice new pretty clothes and accessories for her to wear for the day. One day a new teacher shows up named Ms. Saunders with white starchy blotches on her face. Maleeka thinks that her life can’t get any worse until this lady comes and makes everything worse than it already was. Ms. Saunders decides that she wants to teach Maleeka to have more self-confidence and to not care what other people say or think and to just be herself no matter what. Maleeka wishes that Ms. Saunders would just leave her alone and go away. Charlese comes up with the idea to destroy Ms. Saunders’ room. Ms. Saunders got new velvet pillows for the children to sit on during class, nice new curtains and new stuff all over the room. They put glue all over the velvet curtains and pillows, the girls rip and make a mess of the curtains and pillows. Not wanting to into peer pressure Maleeva resists and Charlese decides to hurt her. Maleeka ta˚es a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love your self no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know is wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I fond people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this boo in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

a resists and Charlese desides to hurt her. Maleeka takes a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love yourself no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know are wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I found people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this book in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

Introduction:

            Throughout the year we as students had to read two books and write a book review on it. My first book review was on the book “The Skin I’m in”.

Independent Reading:

                                                               The Skin I’m in

The title of this book is called The Skin I’m in by Sharon G. Flake. This book won plenty of awards and recognitions for its stellar material and meaning. Some of these awards and recognitions are…

• Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent
• Publishers Weekly Author to Watch
• New York Public Library Top Ten Book for the Teen Age
• YALSA Best Books for Young Adult Readers
• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
• Texas Lonestar Reading List
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
• YWCA Racial Justice Award
• Detroit Free Library Author of the Year Award
• Starred Review in Publishers Weekly

From what I researched it seems that The Skin I’m in was made into a movie.

            The Skin I’m in is about a seventh grader named Maleeka. Who is tormented because of the clothes her mother makes her because she can’t afford new ones, her perfect grades and if that weren’t enough they would make fun of how dark her skin is. On top of all that she would hang out with the wrong crowd. Maleeka hangs out with the meanest girl in school, Charlese. The gang she hangs out with makes fun of her and they smoke in the girls bathroom most of the school day. Charlese mouths off to the teachers and messes around with other girls boyfriends. If she is almost caught by the girlfriend of the boy she tells them that it wasn’t her it was Maleeka. Maleeka takes this because every day Charlese brings in nice new pretty clothes and accessories for her to wear for the day. One day a new teacher shows up named Ms. Saunders with white starchy blotches on her face. Maleeka thinks that her life can’t get any worse until this lady comes and makes everything worse than it already was. Ms. Saunders decides that she wants to teach Maleeka to have more self-confidence and to not care what other people say or think and to just be herself no matter what. Maleeka wishes that Ms. Saunders would just leave her alone and go away. Charlese comes up with the idea to destroy Ms. Saunders’ room. Ms. Saunders got new velvet pillows for the children to sit on during class, nice new curtains and new stuff all over the room. They put glue all over the velvet curtains and pillows, the girls rip and make a mess of the curtains and pillows. Not wanting to into peer pressure Maleeva resists and Charlese decides to hurt her. Maleeka ta˚es a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love your self no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know is wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I fond people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this boo in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

a resists and Charlese desides to hurt her. Maleeka takes a lighter from Charlese and burns the money she gave to her. She accidentally burns the curtains and gets caught by the janitor who was on duty; Maleeka was the only person who was blamed. In the end the truth comes out and Charlese’s sister sends her to Alabama and Maleeka is now confident and happy with how she looks. She also gets the guy she lives named Caleb. Everything works out in the end.

            My favorite character is Maleeka because she is teased for how she looks and overcomes what other people say, think and do to her. She eventually gets what she always needed self-confidence. What people should take away from the book is to love yourself no matter what and be happy with you. Don’t do things you know are wrong because you want to be liked, just be you all the time and then you will be happy. There are many morels people could take away from this book but I think this is the best.

            I can relate to Maleeka because when I was in middle school I was teased for my weight and the way I looked. I used to pretend to be someone I wasn’t so I would be liked. I never trashed a teachers’ classroom but I did do things I wish I hadn’t done like mess with people who were my real friends, mouth off to my favorite teachers and mess with my sister. In the end I found people I could relate to and went to a school were I can start over and be myself. I finally feel that I don’t have to be someone I’m not.

            I thought that this was an amazing book about a colorful girl who has yet to find herself in a school who bullies her every day. Not only did I think this book was awesome I could relate to it in my own way. The strengths of the book were the action parts. The weaknesses were the parts when Maleeka was talking about how she got in trouble and had to work in the office and can’t watch TV or use the phone. I would change the ending, the ending is the type of ending that leaves you hanging like there would be another book or something but there’s not. I really didn’t enjoy the type of ending used.

             I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in teenagers with problems or have trouble being teased. If you an relate to a kid who is being teased for their looks or how weird people think they are or how smart they are then this would be the book for you. Many people can relate to the main character in this story Maleeka in some way or another. As I said before this book is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, high school, college or working I believe everyone can relate to this book in some way. Don’t think just do, you should just read, read, read this book.

If you click Globalization in my Community you will be able to access the keynote I produced, that reveals the different photos taken in my community which represents varies themes in globalization.

• What did you find most challenging about this project?

The thing I found to be most challenging about this project was taking pictures in the my community that reflected the different themes listed for globalization. It's not that I didn't know how to explain those themes, I just found it hard to actually find those themes in the area where I lived. Also managing time was a little difficult for me. Because we were given so long, I kept delaying the assignment.

• How did you go about collecting the images or selecting the images?

I didn't have a specific method for collecting the photos, the only thing I tried to do was focus on the theme and figure out what would best correspond. The mindset I had was if I couldn't actually get the picture I wanted, then get something that was in the general ball park of my explanation and explain why I couldn't get the actual picture I wanted and explain how the one I actually took was appropriate.  

• Which image is your favorite? Why? Elaborate.

My favorite image would have to be the photo I took for the theme Society, Culture, Gender. I mean, for starters it is a picture of me getting a body piercing on the back of my neck which elaborates on the culture portion of the theme. It's the most exciting picture I've ever seen in my life, and I have a lot of body piercings so it's almost like globalization lives with me.

• How prevalent is the evidence of globalization in Philadelphia? Do you think it is more or less so (evident) than in other large cities in the US? Why Why not?

I think the obvious things like Health, and Trade or anything involving the economy (well not really) are more evident in Philadelphia in terms of globalization. But as far as education, and society, those topics were a little hard to see. I don't think it has anything to do with the city being large (because if anything I think it would appear more evident) however I think it mainly depends on the eye one has for globalization. Because I've never noticed certain things before, it made it a lot harder to notice them now, and I've always been told: you see what you want to see.

As a 9th grade student, my writing portfolio shows a growth in me. This growth doesn’t affect me in terms of height, weight or anything like that, but as a person. As you progress through all three benchmarks and all the projects in order, there is a change in how I write. They go from immature to an understandable young adult with his opinions. Of course there are those childish moments but can you blame me? No matter how much we grow up, our inner child is clawing to get out. Don't be mistaken, all these writing pieces still expresses who I am and who I have become, but each one shows a different side of me. 

            With growth, there come strengths and weaknesses. As of right now, some strengths that I have as a writer is the ability to imagine and be creative. So naturally, writing formal essays and papers that require a serious tone is difficult. However, as I continue to grow throughout my years, perfecting the art of writing a serious and very important writing piece of my goal here at SLA. No one has ever got a professional job by being funny and making up stories that are untrue, none that I know of anyways.  

            Producing this portfolio was no easy feat. The most problematic part of constructing this portfolio was making the projects that are contained in this portfolio. Each one had it's own problems and issues. I can't remember a majority of them because I choose not to. All I really know, and can really advise, is to never procrastinate. It will be the end of good quality work and sleep, as you know it. As I am reflecting on each individual piece, some of the problems might come back to me and be listed. Lets get started!

 

The first ever benchmark of my freshman year. In this benchmark the student has to pick a character out of the play "MacBeth" and write about how (s)he changes throughout the story. Also, ten quotes are needed to help aid the reader in seeing this change. I personally choose Macbeth because I thought he was the easiest but I was horribly wrong. Did this benchmark lacking in confidence. This was simply because it was “The” benchmark, killer of sleep, destroyer of fun. This was also because we were taking on Macbeth. First book of the year and we have to read Macbeth? But I got through somehow and that feeling of success made my confidence skyrocket. Take a look at my shaky start in English.

 

(Q1 Benchmark)

Henry Poeng

 

Thesis: Macbeth change of heart at the beginning of the play cost him his life.

 

The Three Weird sisters in Act One, Scene 3, approach Macbeth and Banquo.  They hail Macbeth first as Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor, and finally King.  Macbeth and Banquo are mesmerized in many more ways than one. Macbeth then says “The Thane of Cawdor lives, why do you dress me in barrowed robes.”  This line shows how Macbeth feels about being addressed as the Than of Cawdor. Shortly after the question is asked, the witches vanish without answering anything.  Macbeth and Banquo are left to interpret what the meaning is.  Macbeth sees the witches prophesy as good news and is very happy but also very confused at the same time.  Macbeth just does not know in what way he will claim these titles.

King Duncan officially proclaims in Act One, Scene 4 Macbeth Thane of Cawdor.  At that same time King Duncan proclaims his son, Malcolm, Prince of Cumberland or in other words his successor.  Macbeth, who is very surprised when hearing this, goes aside and starts speaking to him self.  “Stars hide your fire; let not the lights see my black and deep desires” was one of his lines.  This line that Macbeth said translates to, Heaven, please don’t let anyone see my deep and dark desires.  This specific lines shows that Macbeth is shocked to hear that Malcolm was going to be king instead of him self and there fore he is going to do something about it.  Then Macbeth’s ambitions start to show. He was going to be king one way or another even if he has to kill someone for it.

In Act One, Scene 7 Lady Macbeth confronts Macbeth and tells him of her plans to kill King Duncan.  Macbeth goes aside and weighs out the consequences of these actions. After some seducing performed by Lady Macbeth, Macbeth changes his mind and goes with the plan.  At the end of the scene Macbeth says, “False face must hide what false heart doth know.”  This line means to be a flower on the outside and be a serpent underneath.  In other words, look nice and innocent but conceal your feelings from the public.  At this point Macbeth becomes hesitant about what he’s getting himself into but his ambitions start to take over.

In Act Two, Scene 2 Macbeth has killed Duncan.  He and Lady Macbeth are flooded with guilt.  Macbeth says that he heard voices shortly after he killed King Duncan.  The voices said,  “Glamis hath murdered sleep, therefore Cawdor shall not sleep”.  In direct translation it pretty much means that Macbeth killed someone who was sleeping, therefore he doesn’t get to sleep as a price to pay.  At this point Macbeth is starting to go a little bit crazy, as well as Lady Macbeth.  The guilt is going to impact everything from this point on.

In Act Three, Scene 2 Macbeth has hatched a plan to kill Banquo.  He indirectly tells Lady Macbeth who doesn’t really understand.  While telling Lady Macbeth, Macbeth says, “O, full of scorpions is my mind dear wife.” This quote explains just hwa tkinds of things are going on in Macbeth’s head. This indicates the type of thoughts that are going on inside of Macbeth’s head.  Evil scheming thoughts that plan to destroy all his enemies.  At this point in the play, Macbeth is planning to kill anyone in his way without hesitation.

In Act Three, Scene 4 Macbeth has killed Banquo.  After slaying Banquo, Macbeth is not guilty and doesn’t really regret what he has done.  Macbeth killed Banquo because Banquo has a gut feeling that Macbeth was attaining all this power by unfair means. Macbeth says this after the deed is done.  He says that he is, “Stepped in so far that, I can wade no more.”  In direct translation, this means that Macbeth has gone so far into his evil deeds that he can’t turn back so he just going to keep on going.  At this point in the play Macbeth has become pure evil and nothing can stop him, not even him self.

In Act four, Scene 2 Macbeth is talking to his subjects, who are of course working for him out of fear and not love, when he realizes something that the Weird Sisters had done to make him be in this situation.  So he says “Time thou anticipates my dreaded exploits.” In the quote he says “anticipates”, which means predict, “Dreaded exploits,” which means evil deeds.  This means that time or another thing has predicted his evil deeds. Therefore he accepts his that this is “fate” and continues to go forth with his plans.

In Act four, Scene 3 MacDuff and Malcolm are ranting off about Macbeth in England where they have fled off to live.  They are venting their anger towards each other. This anger would have never started if Macbeth didn’t betray them. With all this ranting MacDuff says,“ No one in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils top Macbeth.”  This quote means that, no one sent from hell can be more evil than Macbeth.  This quote shows what other people think of Macbeth.

In Act Five, Scene 3 the 10,000 men from England are approaching.  Macbeth is mad at all the servants that keep coming to warn him.  In an attempt to shut them up and maybe bring courage upon himself, Macbeth says, “I’ll fight till from my bones my fleshed be hacked” This line means that Macbeth will fight to the death no matter what.  He has nothing to lose and is blinded by his ambitions to realize what he’s getting into.

In Act Five, Scene 8 Macbeth is fighting Macduff in a final attempt to protect this throne.  After some intense fighting Macduff is on the verge of winning. Realizing he’s going to die on the spot, he says, “I throw my warlike shield.”  This means he’s going to sacrifice him self and die here and now instead of facing the consequences and bowing down to Malcolm. In a final attempt at attacking Macduff, Macbeth is slain.  At this point in the play, Macbeth is dead. This just proves that since Macbeth is so stubborn and naive, he threw away everything he had for everything he wanted but ultimately failed in the end.

In conclusion, Macbeth had a very dramatic change of heart that widely influences the whole play.  Just one act and all his inner ambitions are arisen. Throughout each act, his cold-heartedness grows.  Towards the end, his thoughts are clouded with evil, and he has nothing to lose.  Therefore, Macbeth has the meatiest change throughout the whole play. As a secret message towards any potential readers, Shakespeare show how taking all the wrong turns to get what you want will bring failure upon your life.

 

(Q2 Benchmark)

This was a fun project to write. In this project, students had to compose a memoir vignette (snapshot of their life) that changed them in some type of way. I chose to write about an experience that was like none I ever had before. It was about violence, but not that punch-kick violence. This violence involved shooting and killing. It was a coincidence that this happen, because when I first heard that we were getting this project, I was struggling to find that snapshot of my life. The second I heard that we were doing a vignette, I was all over it. I remembered a majority of every detail that happen that day with relative ease. Making a story out of it was just amazing. I felt like I was soaring in imagination with this one, even though it was 100% real. Check out the creative process at work.

Henry Poeng

Orange Stream

 

An Ordinary Day In The Neighborhood

 

            “Uncle, are you okay?” My dad’s response tone to this question showed both surprise and shock. “Yeah I’m fine” he said reassuringly. “What wrong?” then asked. “I just had this horrible dream… there was a shooting in front of your store and someone died. I couldn’t really make out who the person was but he was important.” My dad’s face went grim. “Alright calm down, we are all fine here. Chill out and get some sleep okay?” Click. My cousin had hung up and my dad put the phone down.

 

            December 30^th, 2010. 12: 47 am. Everyone in the family except for me was ready for some sleep. (opener) It was tiring just like any other day. My dad just got out the shower, when he got a phone call. It was my cousin, who was planning to visit soon from Connecticut. His voice was heavy, he was breathing deep, and he seemed shaken. He explained to my dad that he just experienced a nightmare. In the nightmare, people were shooting each other in front of our store. My dad was surprised to hear this but laughed it off nevertheless. My dad comforted him and told him to go back to sleep assuring him that everything was fine. My cousin warned my dad to be careful. I was in my room starting a recently assigned English benchmark project. (Foreshadowing)

December 31^th, 2010. Not much was expected on this New Years Eve. It was just another boring day of hard work and some extreme grumpiness. The previous night, I didn’t get enough sleep, but that didn’t stop the customers from flooding in like there was no tomorrow.  Just what you would expect on a party night, right? Little did they know. (Foreshadowing)

It was around 7:45 pm when the most unexpected thing happened.  I was taking care of a customer and brooding(vocab) about how to get out of work, all at the same time. Work being: selling customers whole cases of beer, candy, cigarette, soda, etc. I live in a beer store so this is an everyday thing.  All this brooding left me bemused and started an awkward situation. The customer I was serving got angry and started to become insolent(Vocab) towards me., which was perfectly fine until it got way out of hand. He kept going on and on, screaming, cursing, and trying to escalate the tension. (Magic 3)   Being very adept(Vocab) at conflicts like this, I just ignored him and went about finishing the transaction. Then, just outside the front of the store, BAM! (Onomatopoeia) Sirens blared, breaking the awkward silence that followed.

            Everything was dropped. “Holy Shit!” (dialogue) screamed a good majority of people. My mom and I went to peek out the window to see what was going on. It wasn’t the most pleasant sight. A green dodge mini-van looked like it was going down the wrong way on Walnut St. and went into a sudden halt not far off from the intersection of Walnut St. and Frasier. Strange thing is, a patrol vehicle looked like it caused the crash. Imagine this, a Green dodge minivan pointed towards Jehovah’s Witness, which is directly left of my store, at a 90-degree angle, a good size dent in it with a police car perpendicular to the vehicle.  (Imagery) The first thing that came to my mind is, “This is not good.” (Dialogue) So I walk back to attend to the waiting customers.

            Fireworks went off, or at least that’s what I thought it was. Running back to my mom I asked “What’s going on out there?!” The response blind-sided me in the face like somebody was running and just tripped into a wall. (Simile)  The driver of the green Dodge mini-van gunned down two cops! My mom and I ran to the back of the establishment and notified my dad and my brother of the situation. My brother looked at me like he just watched a good show of SNL and said, (Simile)

 

“Please… it was only fireworks don’t get so worked up” (Dialogue)

“But, Richard! Come look!” (Dialogue)

 

With some proper begging he came and took a glance.  Turns out, the scene changed, and there was way more then just one police car out there. Around 25 + vehicles, Officers out, and guns pointed. It looked like a lustrous (Vocab) clump of red and blue in the night, which was very appropriate for New Years. (Imagery) Then they open fired, emptying about a magazine into the suspect’s car, at least that’s what the news said. POP! POP!  POP! POP! POP! (Onomatopoeia/ Rep 4 Effect). I was scared out of my mind. It looked like an old western movie. A standoff was happening right in front of my house! I was in shock and awe. So many things raced through my mind. Will we get out of this alive? What happened to the cops who got gunned down? Are they okay? This is exciting! I’m hungry, so tired… sleepy, sleepy… and so forth.  (Rep 4 Effect)­

The fun part is how stupid we all acted. My dad, who arrived rather late, ran outside and looked into the car, as did about 15 other bystanders, my-self included. Dumb move, I know. Difference was, I was about a quarter-block away from the car. The cops started yelling and shooed us all away from the danger zone.

Everyone pretty much piled up in the store. A good majority of them were very irritated because they were disrupted from their holiday festivities. The customers pretty much notified their family, sat around, or tried to make a quick transaction so they can get out. (Magic 3) Just goes to show you that even in crisis some people are still extremely selfish. My dad, who did not want to close shop just yet, decided to play along with the selfish customers and go sell them ice. This involved him going back outside again. Bad mistake. He was held outside behind a wall in safety. My dad called shortly after we noticed that he was missing. He told us to be wary (Vocab) of the situation and to lower the bulwark (Vocab) that is the front gate. Daring not to disobey, we evacuated the store and lowered the gates.

A mere five minutes later, my dad called on the phone. He told my brother and I to grab a case of beer so we can sell it to a customer who was buying it the “back-door” way. We thought he was joking, until we saw our dad approaching the back yard with a customer in tow. After making the transaction, we all went back inside. Around this time a copper chopper arrived to the scene rather low.Using the mounted spotlight, it circled around the suspect’s vehicle and made light of the situation. (Pun Intended/Humor)

Naturally, in situations like these, you want to feel safe right? You know that feeling when you want to grab something sharp and deadly, or just go hide somewhere to feel safe? That’s exactly what I did. Upon re-entering the house, I ran to my room and totally missed the light switch. Groping (vocab) around in the dark, I grabbed my metal softball bat and a metal baseball bat. I know it seems stupid, but it made me feel secure. Others didn’t think so. A cop noticed me with the bats and told me “What are you going to do with those bats?  Going to hit a bullet out the park? You can’t even swing with one hand!” (Dialogue/Humor) That comment made me feel stupid, but I felt safe so it was okay. Putting the bats away, I went to go watch what else was unfolding.

When I arrived back at the place of entertainment, anyone who was viewing the little show had a face that could make even the most secure in mind cry. Amassing (Vocab) some courage I peeked over the window, heart racing. The scene had changed. With the spotlight illuminating the car, some of the higher ranked cops gathered in a circle at the intersection of Frasier and Walnut St. They appeared to be scheming on how to handle the rest of the situation. Out of nowhere, down the dark alleyway of Frasier St. was a heavily armed officer, otherwise known as a S.W.A.T (special weapons and tactics) operator. Walking down slow mo, or at least that’s how I saw it. He looked extremely intimidating. This man was dressed in all black with armor and bullet proof pads spread across evenly all over his body, thick helmet on his head, attached with a helmet visor. In his right hand, a riot shield, in his left, an assault rifle. I can only guess that it was a M416, but that’s just from background gaming knowledge, which made it even more exciting. (Imagery)  His face was made of stone. (Metaphor)

They call him the crisis negotiator, negotiator for short. His job was to approach the suspect and cause a diversion for a S.W.A.T team to arrive, or talk the suspect into surrendering, or both. From my perspective, it seemed like both. I can only assume that being a negotiator, you needed to be shrewd (Vocab) andconscientious (Vocab) of the suspect in critical situations.

My dad, my brother and I took this given opportunity of peace to talk to my dad’s friend who happened to be an officer at the scene and likes to visit the store when he’s off duty. My dad was at the door speaking to his cop friend, who coincidently had his patrol vehicle right in front of the store entrance. My dad was chatting away with his friend, while I was talking to my brother, who was just as excited. He told me to go and listen in. Being his younger brother, I had to comply.

While I listened in, my brother was broadcasting what was going on to my other brother who was in Florida at the time. I found this superfluous, but what the heck, it was exciting.  Apparently, the showdown on Walnut was being shown live in Florida, which I found extremely strange. My dad was talking to his friend. We got the gist of the situation. Apparently, the cops were waiting for S.W.A.T. to arrive, there were 200+ personal surrounding the perimeter and all branches of law enforcement were deployed. This was the first event in Philadelphia law enforcement history of its caliber. All of a sudden, the radio exploded with a sharp command that was lost in a sudden burst of confusion. We ran back inside. “Don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic!” I constantly told my self. (Rep 4 Effect/Dialouge)

After a quick break, we all resumed our position in front of the window and stared at the scene. Nothing interesting happened just yet so I went to back to getting some work done. Unable to keep myself away I ran back just in time to get blinded by a burst of flares. The flash looked like a firework that had gone wrong. It looked like an extremely bright light with flares coming out the sides with a loud pop that is redundant now and days.  This special item causes disorientation of anyone unfortunate enough to witness it. Good thing I was behind the window.  I just witnessed a flash bang. (Imagery) I peeked back up to examine the next set of events. Assuming that the suspect was disoriented, S.W.A.T moved towards the car and took out the suspect. He was dead and covered in blood. It looks like someone missed a paint ball gun filled with red paint balls horribly. (Imagery) One can only guess how much anguish (Vocab) he suffered in that one-hour period, barricaded in his car.  The scene at the time was surreal because so much was happening at once. I was inept (Vocab) when it came to things like this, but this has only made my mentally stronger. After the dramatic event over, all the bystanders went back to what they were doing, including me.

Refreshing the page on a news site for 10 minutes straight wasn’t the smartest thing, but it was worth it, just to see what was going on from the news reporter’s perspective.  The reports say that the two officers that got shot were in good condition and had been released from the hospital. A sigh of relief went around the crowd that was around the computer. (Imagery). All the excitement left me tremendously enervated. Crawling to bed, I took the time to reflect on what was just witnessed.

With this reflection came inner thoughts. What you do will follow you for life, but how you repent for it is what makes the difference. Shooting cops will be the end for you. Be prepared for the unexpected because this is the type of world we live in. Think of the possible consequences before doing anything. As I slowly drifted to sleep, I whispered to myself “This is just another ordinary day in the neighborhood.” (Dialogue) and dozed off.

III

III
III

III

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Down here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is just for kicks: :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now this is the story all about how
some guy got flipped, turned upside down
and I'd like to take a minute just sit right there
I'll tell you how I almost pulled out all of my hair.

In West Philadelphia born and raised
In a beer store is where I spend most of my days.
Selling, taxin, relaxing all cool

And enjoying this day off from school.
When this one guy, who was up to no good
Starting causing trouble in my neighborhood.
He robbed one gas station and the cops got scared.
They said “get out the car with your hands in the air”

The cops called for some back up, when it came near
The crazy driver shot the two cops with a frightening sneer.

If anything, I could say this scene was super rare
but I thought oh heck no, it’s safer in there.

Then back up pulled up round seven or 8.
came out and said “yo dawg get the tazer.”

Hey Look at that! S.W.A.T is finally here.
Extracting the body with guns in the air.

(Over exaggerated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to this project was an adventure by it self. This was probably from reading the confusing Odyssey, to watching a confusing movie. But I took on the challenge and made it through. Of course with some bumps and bruises here and there (If you catch my drift). Anyways, the third quarter benchmark consist of the comparison between Odysseus and Everett from the movie “O Brother Where Art Thou”. This is done by using comparison and evidence from both the movie and the books to compare and contrast these two characters. The two characters didn’t have to be between these too, but I was having a huge writers block so finding a good match came to late. Take a look at writer’s block!

 

 

(Q3 Benchmark)

3/7/11

Henry Poeng

 

            Odysseus: Great teller of tales, Trojan War hero, and main character of The Odyssey. Everett: Master Tactician, Leader of the Soggy Bottom Boys, George Clooney and main character of O Brother Where Art Thou. Odysseus and Ulysses are both selfish at times, and overcome their conflicts in the same manner. But, it’s how they are assisted on their journeys that make the difference.  Although these two are very similar in their personalities, they have a different approach to their respective journeys.            

Everett and Odysseus show similarities in their selfishness during several points of their adventures. In the movie O Brother Where Art Thou, Everett risks the life of his crewmates in a vain attempt try and persuade Delmar and Pete to go and get his hair gel from the back of a burning car. Everett shows that he’s going to put himself first instead of considering the life of his loyal crewmembers. This had to potential to get all three of them killed. In The Odyssey, Odysseus said “Cyclops- if any man in the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of cites, he gouged out your eye, Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!” (Book 9, Lines 558-562).  Unlike Everett, Odysseus actually puts his crewmates in grave danger. As a result, he got them all killed in the end. But, this also shows how they are like in their thinking, and how selfish they both can be. 

            O Brother Where Art Thou  is heavily based off of The Odyssey. There are several hints that show this in the movie. One would be the prophet, who tells Everett how to get home, much like in The Odyssey.  However, they are actually different. The Odyssey Odysseus was thrown off course so many times that it is hard to keep count. It is believed that the main source of all his interludes was, for the most part, the Greek gods. Poseidon, earth shaker and king of the seas had a deep grudge on Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus, his son, and being associated with Athena. As you may know, Athena and Poseidon HATE each other very much. Using everything in his power that didn’t involve direct interaction between him and Odysseus, Poseidon further delayed his return trip home via storms, monsters, etc. Athena on the other hand was on Odysseus’ side, protecting him and only him throughout a huge chunk of the epic. If you think carefully, do you see this happening at all in O Brother Where Art Thou? Nope. In O Brother Where Art Thou there aren’t any gods, or some supernatural other worldly power to veer Everett and companions off course, or further then along for that matter. He got home all by himself without the need of the Gods.

            In The Odyssey, Odysseus overcame his challenges by first, thinking of some well thought out plan, then eventually needing Athena’s help towards the end of executing the plan. For example “Naked threats- and Athena hit new heights of race, she lashed out at Odysseus now with blazing accusation: “Where’s it gone, Odysseus- your power, your fighting heart? The great solder who fought for famous white-armed Helen, battling Trojans nine longs years- nonstop, no mercy, mowing their armies down in grueling battle- you who seized the broad streets of Troy with your fine strategic strokes! How can you- now you’ve returned to your own house, your own wealth- bewail the loss of your combat strength in war with suitors? Come, old friend, stand by me! You’ll see action now, see how Mentor the son of Alcimus, that brace fighter, kill your enemies, pays you back for service!” (Book 22, Line 234-246). As long as this quote might be, it has a huge significance. Without Athena, who knows where Odysseus might be right now. Some might argue, that without the Gods, Odysseus might have not gotten home at all or vice-versa. This may be true, but we haven’t really seen the famed Odysseus “Master of tactics, Great teller of tales” in action without the help or intervention of the Gods. In O Brother Where Art Thou, Everett gets through all his challenges by himself. From escaping the chain gang, to making “old timey” music and sort of getting his wife back. He did it all himself that is what someone should be respected for. That is a huge difference in terms of showing character traits and applying it.

In conclusion, Odysseus and Everett might share the same qualities with each other, but the manners in which they achieve their goals are quite different. Sure you might think, “Oh, well if Odysseus didn’t have Athena, he would have never got home.” or, “ Oh, well if Poseidon wasn’t messing with him so much then we would have gotten home safe and sound.” which could be very true. My point is, if your going to talk about someone else’s abilities and what they are doing, then talk about it right, not with some sort of handicap. That to me is just plain unfair. It’s just like saying “Yeah! I totally made this turbine with the help of my twenty friends so appreciate me more because I want more credit!” It’s the same deal with Odysseus, but must admit that he is insanely smart and strong. Although these two are very similar in their personalities, they have a different approach to their respective journeys.             

The creative Macbeth piece was probably my second most favorite project as a 9^th grade freshman in English. I basically went all out in both creativity and fun. For this project we had to make a character journey of a character of choice. It could be creative. I chose to do a keynote that was very entertaining, to me anyways. From music to a clever rhyme scheme, and getting everyone intrigued at how I produced such a wonderful project. Alas, I cannot show the keynote, but if you are interested please email me. This wasn’t much difficulty in making this project. It simply flowed in my brain until the project was done. What you are about to read is the poem part of my project.

 

(Creative Piece)

Macbeth and Banquo are marching back as heroes, embarrassing everyone: making them zeros. On the way back there was a surprising mental attack. They meet three weird sisters, full of warts and blisters. They hailed Macbeth as thane of Glamis, Cawdor and King here after. So Banquo is confused. He asked the weird sisters to state his news. They declare him the fountain of kings. It was strange for Macbeth and Banquo to hear these things. The weird sisters soon after leave, making Macbeth and Banquo puzzled on what to believe. Ross  and Angus enter the scene, upon their face was great amounts of gleam. Bringing them with news of his promotion, Macbeth says “The Thane of Cawdor lives, why do you dress me in barrowed robes.” Macbeth declares that he will later probe.  So continues the story, turn to the next slide to read of Macbeth’s rise to glory.

 

Macbeth and Banquo return to the castle where King Duncan waited with no type of hassle. Macbeth was proclaimed Thane of Cawdor, a title the traitor had, not long before. This proclamation had Macbeth convinced. Soon after Malcolm was made the newest prince. A successor to the throne, someone who has worthy shown. Macbeth goes incognito, off the side, planning something evil. “Stars hide your fire; let not the lights see my black and deep desires” . He has plans for these infrequent criers. Macbeth’s ambitions start to show, something that will be explained in the next slide, so come on, lets GO!

Lady Macbeth shows warm welcome to Duncan and his subjects. Behind her face: Ambition. With one goal in mind, with one mission. To get rid of King Duncan and Malcolm, his son. She and Macbeth are planning to declare their lives done. “False face must hide what false heart doth know.”  Macbeth and his wife must hide what their heart shows.  Late in the night, when all is retired, Macbeth and his spouse continue with the plan they have conspired. Silence.... a hoot is heard. The deed is done. The guilt has begun. Macbeth comes in with bloody hands, Duncan is dead, by his wife’s command. Then they both go crazy, their minds a little hazy. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, therefore Cawdor shall not sleep”. Macbeth has stole Duncan’s life, like a thief. Therefore he shall pay, with lack sleep of during the absence of day. Now, lets continue this story. It’s going to get kind of gory.

 

Macbeth has become king by unfair means. How do you become King when it has not been past down through your genes? Banquo is very suspicious. He is about to come across something meaty and delicious. Macbeth finds out and becomes rather vicious. Macbeth starts to plan and scheme. How do you get rid of someone that was once on your team? With murderers that have stealthy skill. They will dispose of Banquo and Fleance with a silent kill. “O, full of scorpions is my mind dear wife.” Macbeth is going to kill Banquo without thinking twice.

Banquo is no more. Covered from head to toe in fresh slimy gore. Looking more disoriented than ever before. Fleance has ‘scaped! Running in the wind, looking back as he swore. The murderer's make their return to Macbeth’s castle door. They enter the party that was held on the ground floor. The news given to Macbeth was both great and poor. He was happy to the very core, but also mad that the assassins' had done only half their chore.

These two acts we will remember for our lives.  Macbeth is alone, sitting and thinking at his throne. “Time thou anticipates my dreaded exploits.” Many evil deeds were committed, a dark aura is emitted. Many miles far far away, are two people that Macbeth has betrayed. MacDuff and Malcolm talk about many tragic deaths. So much so that MacDuff says “ No one in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils top Macbeth.” Back at the castle, a war is waged. His majesty is enraged. “I’ll fight till from my bones my fleshed be hacked”   Little does he know, that he will never be backed. Ten Thousand men march, revenge burning in some.  They are here to get rid of this tyrant scum. Let the battle begin and on the next side we will see who wins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Independent Reading Review Project)

 

In our English class, we were given two independent reading projects. The one that I am presenting is first of the two. This basically consists of an introduction to the book, a paragraph or two about the book, a personal connection, some conflicts, an opinion about the book, and a recommendation of the book. This was particularly hard on me, because I never really like doing book reports or reviews. I struggled but manage to pull through somehow and get a good grade.  Read on to take a look at a New York Times best seller.

 

 

Henry Poeng

Orange Stream

 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

By: Stieg Larssona

 In an epic show down between the past and the present, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is challenged to solve it all. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is indeed a movie. It was released 2009. Not only that, but it got a lot of buzz from news sites like Yahoo, CNN, etc. That’s what tempted me to read it. Also, it has an interesting title name. From what I’ve read in the reports, it said that it was a suspenseful, crime theme, which is something that I don’t normally read. So I decided to take a chance and change my genre.

 

 

The book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a mysterious crime story, which takes place in Sweden.

 

Summary:

Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist, publisher, and co-creator of Millennium magazine, published an article against Swedish billionaire, Hans-Erik Wennerström. After a libel case against Hans-Erik, Blomkvist is sentenced to three months in prison. Facing professional disgrace, Blomkivist quits his job at Millennium magazine. Approached by a lawyer shortly after leaving the court house, he is offered a freelance job, assigned by Henrik Vanger. Henrik is the former CEO of Vanger Enterprises, which is a massive company in Sweden. A few days before the encounter, Henrik Vanger hires a young girl in her twenties by the name of Lizbeth Slander, to dig into Blomkvist’s life history. She is a genius hacker, with a photographic memory, and just scary in general.

Blomkvist goes to the Vanger estate, located in Hedeby island, several hours away from Stockholm, which is Blomkvist place of residence. Arriving at the Vanger estate, Henrik explains the assignment to Blomkvist. Blomkivist was to write a book on the Vanger family history, but also to find a serial killer that killed Harriet Vanger, Henrik’s niece. Henrik promised a hefty reward with juicy details that could bring down Hans-Erik Wennerström. Reluctantly, Blomkvist agreed to the offer, seeing no other choice. Blomkvist accepted what could be the scariest assignment of his life. Together with Lizbeth Slanders, they will hunt down a serial killer from the past.

 

Some conflicts?

-Blomkvist vs. the media (Person vs. society) The media is making a huge deal out of the libel case and how badly he failed.

-Slanders vs. herself. (person vs. self) Slanders appears to be trying to find her self.

-Blomkvist/Slanders vs. Serial killer (person vs. person) Blomkvist and Slanders are out on a hunt for a Serial killer that have been murdering several females by using lines from the bible.

 

 

-My favorite character in this book is Mikael Blomkvist.

He is to my hero because of his courage and how professional he is. I could learn from this guy, excluding his sex crave of course. You will learn about that as you read the book. By courage, I mean he is brave, intelligent, and very wise. By professional, I mean he is intelligent, handles himself well, and has good management skills. You can learn a lot from this guy.

 

-I believe that readers should take into the account that the book is trying to say, be fair to women. If you read carefully, the whole story is about women being abused and killed all the time. For a theme, I would say “Everybody should be treated equal. No matter what”

 

My relationship to the story and the people in it?:

None. What Lizbeth and Mikael went through just makes my life seem boring. If I recall correctly, I haven’t been raped, attacked by strangers, put in political shame, solve cold-cases, or a computer genius. I haven’t experience the thrill of traveling from place to place looking for a serial killer, writing a biography about a wealthy family, or experience three months in jail. If anything, would like to relate most of their lives. But that’s just not happening.

 

-Opinion?

I think it’s an excellent book that will keep you coming back for more. Even though it’s rather lengthy, and it uses a lot of big words. Overall, a well written crime story with a great story line. Now personally, if I could change something in the book it would be how the frame stories are integrated. It get confusing sometimes trying to keep up with past and present.

 

-Recommendations?

I would recommend this book to anyone that can handle good amounts of suspense, drama, action, sex scenes, and plain weird stuff. Also, lets not forget lots and lots of detail! Plus, it would make the book even more amazing if you have a great imagination. That just makes the book an even better experience to read since it is filled with so much detail.

 

            

 

 

 

 

 

(Journals)

 

Considering how I don’t really remember the prompts, I’m going to go try and explain each one as best I can. The first prompt was just to talk about how our Thanksgiving break was. The second one was to explain what you think an adult is. The third one was to explain how winter break went. Last but not least, the fourth one was explaining what criteria do you think a person needs to be a “Hero”. Some of the answers that I wrote were short because I didn’t know what to write. But I did the best I could in that current moment.

 

11/29/10

 

The Thanksgiving break was “okay”. On Thanksgiving I had to work and serve the customers and their needs. Friday was my birthday. Not the most interesting day of the year. Pretty much work, work, eat, party, sugar rush, sleep, fat. Saturday was confusing. I don’t even remember what happened or care to remember for that matter. Sunday however, was fun. The family got together and had a Thanksgiving feast. A well deserved feast at that. Soo much food, just loads and loads of food.  It was amazingly fun too. It was great playing ping-pong and pool with the people I barely see. Overall, the break started real slow but then picked up like a rocket taking off.

 

1/24/11

 

Too me, an adult is someone who has past 21 years of age. An adult is someone that is mature and accepts hit or her responsibilities. Someone that is proactive and not reactive. An adult is someone that can balance out life and fun. In a general sense, an adult is someone who is seasoned at life.

 

1/3/11

 

My break was okay I guess. Same deal. Wake-up, text, shower, work, text, sleep. Boring right? 100%. The holidays are the worst for me. Wake-up early, work until 12 am, and then drop. But it’s for a good cause I guess. One day, something broke the cycle. On the 31^st of December something crazy happened. My mom and I were manning the fort. MY dad and brother were in the back. Then all of the sudden, we hear a lot of sirens outside. MY mom and I looked out the window. WE saw a dodge mini-van pointed towards the church next to my house. Two officers were walking towards it. It was a strangely ominous scene. Then all of the sudden, the driver-side window cracked. A gun was fired off. Both the officers went down, guns blazing. It seems that the assailant was struck. My mom went to go tell my dad in a frenzy. I went to go tell my brother. I sat there in shock and awe. Hopefully I can turn this story into a project.

 

2/2/11

 

A hero to me is someone that is special. A hero is someone that sets a good example for someone good or bad. Someone that gives others hope and meaning in their life. You don’t have to fly or have super powers to be a hero. All you need is a sense of hope and the will to go on. That’s what I think a hero is.

 

 

 

 

 The Myth project was given when the students were done reading the Odyessy. In the Myth project, you are supposed to pick a Greek god and explain what he or she is. What they represent in Greek culture, and what they mean today. Also, you have to research myths about them and write about it. I picked Poseidon because he seems so cool. I know it’s not a legitimate reason but it’s my reason. Take a look about Poseidon God of the Seas.

 

 

(Myth Project)

 

Henry Poeng

Orange Stream

 

Greek God: Poseidon

Symbols: Trident, Horses, and Dolphins

Qualities: God Of The Sea, Earth-Shaker, and Rapist.

Family:

            Parents: Cronos (Father) and Rhea (Mother)

            Brothers: Zeus, Hades.

            Sisters: Hera, Demeter, and Hestia.

            Lover of: Any Female he can get his hands on.

Enemies:  Athena and Odysseus.

Where are they from?:

Athena is the Brainchild of Zeus literally. She was popped right out from his brain when he had a headache, but that’s a whole other myth. She is the enemy of Poseidon because she was given the city of Athens instead of Poseidon in which Zeus promised him. Also it would appear that Athena has a polar personality compared to Poseidon. Poseidon being hot-headed and

Odysseus is a Greek hero that fought in the Trojan War for Achaeans. He is responsible for the Trojan-Horse that ended the 10 year war. The reason he is the enemy of Poseidon is because he blinded one of Poseidon’s many sons, named Polyphemus, who’s mother is Medusa.

 

Earth-Shaker, Creator of Horses, God of the Seas, these are just a few epithets that describe Poseidon. Quick to anger, and quick to love Poseidon is. Some say his short temper is the cause of earthquakes, horrible storms, and droughts. He is known to hold long grudges against those who anger him.

            Before the god’s there were Titans, known as the “elder gods”. Cronus, son of Uranus and Gaea overthrew his own father. After dethroning Uranus, his mother Gaea made a prophecy. The prophecy stated that his own children would overthrow Cronus. Living in fear Cronus ate his own children as they were being born. All but one was consumed. Rhea, Cronus’s sister wife hid the last born, and fed Cronus a rock covered in a blanket. When he became an adult, Zeus made a plan to take revenge on his father. By making Cronus vomit out all of the children he consumed, Zeus would rally them and overthrow Cronus.

            In the previous events, six children were born in this order: Hestia, Hades, Demeter, Poseidon, Hera and Zeus.  Out of the six, three were males: Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. While having no active leader to rule, a lottery was held between the three brothers to decide who rules what. Hades, eldest of the three, became God of the Underworld. Poseidon became God of the Sea. Zeus became god of the Sky and Supreme ruler the gods. Hades got the shorter end of the stick.

            During the Trojan War, some of the Olympian gods were split.  Siding the Greeks was: Poseidon, Athena, Hera, Hermes and Hephaestus. Sided with the Trojans were: Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and Ares. I like to call them the A team. Poseidon was sided with the Greeks because of a broken promise.  Poseidon helped build the epic walls that surrounded the great city of troy while on punishment from Zeus. The King did not pay Poseidon, who was disguised as a mortal while building the walls, for his hard manual labor. As punishment, Poseidon sent a sea monster to attack troy, only to be thwarted by Hercules.

            In the midst of battle the Trojans killed Poseidon grandson. This only infuriated Poseidon even more. As result he joined the battle disguised as a mortal seeking his revenge disobeying Zeus’s strict orders not to interfere. Hera, was in the middle of seducing Zeus when he heard the battle cries of Poseidon, he realized that he was being tricked. Containing his rage, he sent Iris, a messenger god to warn Poseidon. Poseidon disobeyed at first, but then eventually backed-off, not because of fear, but because of respect of Zeus.

           

 

 

​In this part I was required to compare and contrast the book The Odyssey to another book or another story so i choose something comical. fave fun.

Who do is the most amazing hero out there? Is he Greek? True heroes are people like Telemachus or Odysseus. These people are wrong. Although, a lot of people think that Odysseus and Telemachus are very important heroes, the real heroes are SpongeBob square pants and Patrick star. Greek is so last week and the reef is the new sheik. The true heroes are SpongeBob square pants and Patrick star and here’s why.

 

     Let’s be honest. How would someone feel if you were constantly told that you where just a little kid and that you were not a man. Odysseus, Telelmachus, SpongeBob and Patrick were all tired of being underrated.

    

     In the beginning SpongeBob does not get the promotion at the Krusty Crab because he is not a man yet and he needs to grow up. So, he decides to go to his job after he gets really drunk and talk to his boss but ends up making a deal with Poseidon to save his boss and prove he is a man. In comparison to Mr. Square pants, Telemacus is in a similar situation because he can’t do anything about his mom and all of the suitors in his house. So what he does is call a meeting like his dad to prove he is a big boy and them makes a journey to find his dad.

       Although the crew put a lot of into getting everything ready for they journey for Telemacus to find his dad od with all of those medieval and Viking/European style ships taking all of the waters of Europe. And also under the waters of the pacific. Then, SpongeBob gets his best friend Patrick and go to the garage and show him the “state of the ocean” Patty-Wagon.

 

        Boats, promotions and growing up are all a part of a hero’s everyday life. Whether they are under the sea or on a mythical animal chilling with a God at the end of the day we are all heroes. We are all special in our own way.

 

 

I don't need to fall in love with the perfect guy. I found my soulmate three and three-quarters years ago, in September, on the first day of school. She's my best friend.

These are my top four journal entries in my opinion. They speak out to me about my points of view and who I am as a person. I hope you enjoy them. 

How does your environment shape who you become?     3/16/11

My environment is pretty much were I live. Its all around me and around everyone else. It develops our personality, what we look like, our influences, everything. For example someone who lives in an indigenous tribe in the Amazons will be different from someone who lives in New York City. The person in the Amazon uses basic tools and materials to help him with his everyday life but he uses man power instead of coal or gas. A person in New York City or modern society has a computer, a TV, lives in a tall apartment building, fridge, microwave, a living room things in that nature. Another example would be music. You can compare American Rap with Spanish Bachata you can see a tremendous difference. Rap is like a long poem in song form and Bachata is has different instruments like guitar and trumpets. It just depends what your introduced to and what your willing to accept in your life.

 

How did you feel when you encountered the word “nigger” in kindred? What are your thoughts on the word in general?                  3/18/11

When I encountered that word I didn’t really react to it at all. It’s come back in modern language as a cool word that only African-Americans are able to use. But it’s been extended to be used to all the major “minorities.” This includes African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. Also to me it’s just a word, no word can be used to offend me. I see words as informative, all words, no matter what the word is. In general, it’s just a word. No one takes it offensive to it anymore. Even though it was created and designed to insult the African-American race. It seems it’s only offensive if a person of the White race or “majority” race uses it. I think the only reason it is offensive in that context is that Whites are the originators of the word and it seems to be a way to get back at the White man. A word everyone is aloud to use except for White people. Seems like revenge to me.

 

What do you think is going to happen to Kevin if he’s left in 1819?    3/24/11

I think it can go in two different ways with Kevin. He will either be questioned by all the white people and beaten and would go back to 1976 just like kindred does when she gets into trouble. Or he could act dumb and play it out and people would trust him and he would be safe in 1819. I believe they both have the distinct ability to travel through time when in the face of danger. 

What are some of the expectations put up on you by others? What are your own expectations of yourself? Are these expectations different? How? 4/5/11

People expect me to be a good person in general. They expect me to be knowledgeable and to be a good student in school. People in general especially my family have high expectations for me. I have high expectations for myself. But I try my best only to help others. When I’m older I want to help people who are less fortunate and need my knowledge to help them. I expect myself to be a diligent worker in school and outside the school environment. I only pay attention in school to help others around me, my family and loved ones. For it is my knowledge the world will feed off of and depend on. Everyone in this room is the future and it is for this reason I have these high expectations.

In this part of our Q4 benchmark I was required to analyze a ​character in the story called Macbeth.hope you like it.....

Dionysos (DionusoV)

Is a god who was twice born. The first time her was in the womb of Semele and then she died by the bolt of Zeus. Then Zeus saved him and put him in his thigh till he was born again. In the story Lycurgus, the king Lycurgus discovers that Dionysus is in his kingdom .So what the king does is has all of the followers of Dionysus

to be put in prison. Then Dionysus fled to Thetis and then caused a revolt because of the drought that he caused. Dionysos made the king crazy and made him kill his son thinking that it was stick ivy. A wise man claimed the land was going to be dry while Lycurgus was alive. So his people killed Lycurgus and then Dionysos lifted the drought.

 

   I think this is a very funny because it describes the god Dionysos and how violent and also fair he can be. I say that because he is known for being the God of wine, parties and festivals, madness, drunkenness and pleasure. So like probably had a wild party when the king got mad at him and then did what he did. Then Dionysos was drunk on wine from the party he got made n put a curse on the king’s land. When the king was killed that brought him pleasure.

 

 I believe that the symbols (thyrsus, grapevine, leopard skin

Panther, tiger, and leopard) represent him because they symbolize power. Like if you see any of the animals you would be scared. And the leopard skin and thyrsus if they are on your body you will look cool.

 

 I think this god exist because their has to be god that “PARTIES HARD.” So they made him to have fun. I think the Greeks really like him because in away he is like the bad uncle in the family that is a bad influence.

Reflection:

    What I feel my portfolio says about me, as a 9^th grade English student is that I’ve progressed throughout the year. My grades for the Benchmark gradually got higher as the year started to end, which means that I improved throughout the year. My strengths in English are focusing in class, doing my work, turning in homework and assignments. My weakness is test taking. Even though I got a good grade on the spelling quiz I have trouble remembering if the vocabulary word is a verb, adverb a noun or an adjective.

 

    My experiences in making this portfolio are having the chance to make my previous assignments better, now that I’ve had more experiences writing papers. What it was like going through all of my work is how I gradually got better at writing papers and my grades got better. The piece I was most proud with is comparing the book “The Odyssey” with the movie “O brother where Art Though”. The reason why I’m proud of my self with this piece, because I took time out my lunch, I went to Lit Lab everyday, I worked really hard and I had a goal to get an A on that assignment which is what I told the teacher.

 

Quarter 1 BM(Macbeth Character Analysis)- We had to pick ten quotes and a main character  from the play “Macbeth” , and write what they went through and how they changed throughout the play.

 

 

Thesis: Lady Macbeth changes dramatically through out the play, her plan to kill Duncan eventually happened, which wound up haunting her throughout the play and she started to regret her decision-makings.

 In Act 1, Scene 5. Lady Macbeth got a note from her husband Macbeth.  She is reading the letter, which says that Macbeth the weird sisters saluted him and referred him to the coming on of time with Hail king that shalt be! As Lady Macbeth was reading the letter she says  “Thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant”(Act 1 Scene 5, Line 11). This reveals that Lady Macbeth is basically saying don’t lose your chance to become King.

In Act 1 Scene 5. Lady Macbeth just finds out that her husband Macbeth is on his way back home from his trip. She starts to panic because she finds out late. The King is coming so of course Lady Macbeth wants the house to look clean, and have food prepared for them. When Lady Macbeth finds out about the King and Macbeth is coming she says aloud. ”Would have informed preparation” (Act 1 Scene 5,Line 33.) This reveals that someone should of told her earlier about Macbeth coming so she could prepare for him, as in prepare she means, clean up, and might even mean to look pretty and dress up for him. If you had a husband that you loved and you didn’t see him for a while you would want to look pretty and dressed, up. At this point Lady Macbeth is thinking of a plan so Macbeth can eventually be king, she is being devious.

 

 

       In Act 1 Scene 5. When Lady Macbeth finds out that Macbeth could possibly have a chance at being king, she thinks of a plan to kill King Duncan. Obviously Lady Macbeth is a woman but she wants to become manlier and have more manly features to kill King Duncan. When Lady Macbeth was alone thinking about a plan to kill Duncan she said.

“Come to my woman’s breast and take my milk for gall” (Act 1 Scene 5, Line 46-47)

This reveals that Lady Macbeth wants to have manly features after she thought about killing Duncan. The quote pretty much says that she wants to exchange her breast for a mens chest. She wants to be tough. At this point Lady Macbeth is going to talk about her plan to kill Duncan to Macbeth. Macbeth would have to be the one to kill Duncan, because he is a man.

     In Act 1, Scene 7 of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are in the scene when they’re planning   about killing Duncan. Macbeth is becoming unsure but Lady Macbeth is all for it.  As Lady Macbeth was talking to Macbeth she said. “What cannot you, and I perform upon”(Act 1 Scene 7, Line 70)? This reveals that, even though Lady Macbeth is woman she is not afraid to kill Duncan to get what she wants. On the other hand Macbeth is too scared, and what Lady Macbeth is trying to say in the quote is, if she can do it,  he u can do it. Lady Macbeth is more for it than Macbeth. She wants to get her way. Will her way affect anyone, like her or Macbeth?

 

 

 In Act 2, Scene 2 of Lady Macbeth. Macbeth has finished killing Duncan and comes out the room with bloody hands, which is evidence! Lady Macbeth tells him to go wash and then she goes in to the room to finish what Macbeth started. As Macbeth was panicking about killing Duncan. She said, ”A foolish thought to say a sorry sight”(Act 2 Scene 2, Line 24). This reveals that Lady Macbeth her thought of killing King Duncan was very clear in her thought, but when her thought becomes real, it’s a sorry sight, maybe this is when she starts to regret her thoughts. Even though she got her way, doesn’t mean it’s going to turn out the way she wants it to be. What about the evidence?

   In Act 2, Scene 2 .  Macbeth has just killed King Duncan. He is panicking, doesn’t know what to do so Macbeth tells him to wash that filthy witness off your hands, because if someone goes to Macbeth and see’s the blood on his hands, it’s obvious he killed Duncan. When Macbeth still had the evidence on his hands Lady Macbeth said “Go get some water and wash this filthy witness from your hand.”(Act 2 Scene 2 Lines 49-50) This reveals that Lady Macbeth doesn’t want to get caught and her too is panicking about the situation. The quote itself means that she wants Macbeth to wash the evidence (blood) of him killing King Duncan away , and by washing blood away guilt will be less.

      In Act 3, Scene 1. Macbeth holds a solemn supper, for most of the characters in the play. This supper happens recently after Duncan gets killed, and not many people know who did it. Lady Macbeth trys to act surprise and say that there has been a gap in the supper. Lady Macbeth says, ”It had been as a gap in our great feast”(Act 3 Scene 1, Line 12). This reveals that this a the time around when Macbeth killed King Duncan and Lady and Macbeth act like they have no idea what happened. In modern time the quote means that Lady Macbeth notices that there is a gap that gap would’ve been replaced with Duncan but he got murdered. Do you think that Duncan is going to haunt the person that killed him?

     In Act 3, Scene 4. It’s the day of the big supper after the Duncan was killed and now Duncan’s ghost is haunting Macbeth, which made him look crazy in front of all his guests. Lady Macbeth was trying to cover what just happened. Probably everyone is wondering what is wrong with and wants to find out the problem. As Macbeth left to get his self together Lady Macbeth said to the guest You shall offend him and extend his passion”(Act 3 Scene 4, Line 58) This reveals that Banquo is haunting Macbeth, because he murdered him, Lady Macbeth tells the guest that he is sick, to cover up what is really going on. She means in the quote that you should basically be patient to him.

     In Act  5 Scene 2 . Almost at the end of the play Lady Macbeth starts to sleep walk and, talk about the night when Macbeth killed Duncan. Starting to haunt her, she starts to repeat what she told Macbeth when he had evidence on his hands (blood). After Macbeth murders Duncan Lady Macbeth says: ”Wash your hands, put on your night gown, look not so pale”(Act 4 Scene 2, Line 61-62) this reveals that the day when Macbeth killed Duncan starts to haunt her in her sleep. The quote means to wash away the evidence until it looks like nothing ever happened tonight.

 

 

 

    In Act 4, Scene 2 . Lady Macbeth is still sleep walking, still talking about the situation. Maybe she will start to regret her choices, even if something goes your way don’t expect it be perfect at all times. As she was sleeping walking she said,  “ What’s done cannot be undone”. This reveals that Lady Macbeth is regretting her choice, that she only thought about her and only her self in the situation of getting what she wanted. The quote basically means that you cant have a re-do in life. 

       Lady Macbeth got her way, did it turn out the way she wanted to? No, it happened, but it turned out worse.  The thoughts of the night Macbeth and her killing Duncan turned in to nightmares. The situation haunted her, until she couldn’t stand it anymore, and killed herself…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter 2 BM(Memoir Vignette)-we had to pick a situation when we had a realization in our lives.

 

      9:00 pm: I hear my mom yelling “What were you thinking?” “ Give me your wallet and your keys”My brother hits my father , my mom tries to break up the fight and that was just the beginning of the worst to come that night. Then my dad says  “You know what , you think you’re a man? Get your stuff and get out”. I tried to hold Romare back ,  while he tries to pack up his things , while my parents still yell at him for how stupid he is. He tried to leave but I kept on pulling him back while I cried my eyes out. He pushed me away .I look at him as he left and thought about a holding a grudge for sometime , because he pushed me on purpose and he didn’t even look back , I felt sad and abandoned.

     As I was still thinking about the day before I got dressed while my dad kept on  calling my brother’s name  so he could wake up for school, each time my brother never answered, I started to get worried, because at this time my brother should be at school.  After the fourth time, my dad walked up the wooden , creeky stairs to the third floor where my brother’s room was at, all of a sudden my dad yelled and tells my mom to hurry up stairs. My mom and I stopped what we were doing ran up the stairs and see my brother laying on his bed, seeing that he threw up what he had for dinner. My mom got her phone goes in to the other room and called the police panicing and telling them what has happened to my brother Romare. The police were being complicated with my mom so my dad takes the phone away from my mom and tells the police our address and tells them to hurry up, with an ambulance.

   The ambulance finally came all I could do was panic and cry. My mom went with my brother and my dad stayed with me . I told my dad that I wanted to go to school, that maybe it would take my mind off of everything,

   When my dad dropped me off at school I sat at my regular spot at school with my friends, I was feeling ok, until my best friend, Majuel came to school, said hi to me, and I decided to tell her what happened that morning. As I told her, I started crying, everyone, stared and started to ask me what was wrong. A couple of my friends walked me to the counselor, Ms.Cocer.

     When my friends and I arrived at the counselors office , I tried to tell her what  happened , but I stared to cry all over again. She let me call my dad , when I call my dad says that my brother , is ok   and that when he picks me up I can go visit him at Einstein hospital.  After the phone call I felt much better. When lunch came around I thought about how lucky my brother is and how lucky I was to not lose my brother.

  At 3:00pm I rushed out of school see my dads Volvo , and hop in , without saying bye to my friends. I was too eager to see my brother.  As my dad was driving us to the Einstein hospital to visit my brother I asked him how Romare was holding up. He said that he is doing fine and that if we had taken any longer to find out that something was wrong that he would of died.

  My dad and I arrive at the Einstein hospital we enter go to large front desk told the woman my brothers name “Romare Hooks” and she told us his new room number. When we came to his room I saw him laying in the bed he looked tired , but he looked happy to see me. I hugged him tightly he looked at me and apologized about the other night and of course I forgave him.

  As I was sitting in the corner while my family members were talking to my brother , I thought to myself that I was honestly fortunate to still have him in my life alive. I thought about my grudge and how this morning I thought about not talking to him for a while. This whole day changed my perspective on grudge holding one day you hold a silly grudge on a person you love and the next there lives could be taken away. There will be more good sunny days between my brother and I know now not to hold grudges.  You never know when your loved ones life will be taken away from you. Life is too short to hold grudges

 

 

 

 

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter 3 BM(The Odyssey Compare/Contrast Essay)-we had to pick a character from “The Odyssey” and  a movie or book that had a character that acted just like the one you had to pick and compare , contrast them.

 

 

  Penelope and Penny are the same character in different situations. Penelope is the wife of Odysseus in the book” The Odyssey”, Penny is the same character but in the movie. Penny and Penelope have a lot of similarities that all connects to their husbands Odysseus in the book “The Odyssey” and Everett in the movie “O brother where art thou”. Penelope and Penny are married to men of adventure, the ways they handle their relationship reveals the kind of woman they are.

 

     Penelope and Penny are woman connected to Odysseus and Everett. Two men were unheard of for years. When, Eurycleia (the old nurse) told Penelope that Odysseus came back from his journey, she didn’t believe her, and she said “the gods have made you mad. They have that power putting lunacy into the clearest head around”. (Page 455, line 12) This shows that Odysseus was away for so long that Penelope made herself think that her husband was not coming back.  The old nurse told her more information Odysseus and him disguised as a beggar, Penelope started to believe her, but she still needed to prove that, the beggar was really her husband Odysseus. Penelope believed the nurse but at the same time was unsure. When Everett and Odysseus comes unexpectedly back to his old town where Penny and Penelope lives, Penny moved on without Everett, by moving on she told her children that Everett (their father) that he got hit by a train. Penny even got engaged with a suitor. Everett tried to tell Penny everything that happened, how he wanted another chance, but being gone so long Penny just didn’t want to hear it after a while. Sooner Penny forgave him and they got engaged. In both of these scenarios Penelope and Penny reveal that they are some what forgiving wives towards their husbands even though they were away for years.

 

  Penelope and Penny handle their relationships differently.  When Penelope finds out   by the old nurse that Odysseus was disguised as a beggar, she wanted to prove that it was really Odysseus. She finds out that it was Odysseus when she tells Eurycleia to move the sturdy bedstead out of the their bridal chamber. Odysseus replies by saying “Woman-your words, they cut me to the core! Who could move my bed, impossible task, even for some skilled craftsman.”(Page 461 line 205) that’s when she knows its him. There relationship picks up from where they left it years ago. Neither does she ask Odysseus questions that might tear up there relationship/marriage. When Everett comes back he too wants to start where he left off with Penny. Penny wasn’t very forgiving at first; she didn’t want to give him a chance. When she finally gives him a chance to re-marry Everett, she wants her husband to get her old ring, as long as he doesn’t get her old ring she won’t marry him. Penny is somewhat of a selfish person; if she doesn’t get her way then everyone else suffers with her. It seems like Everett tries to make Penny happy, but it always fails. Its like Penny sees his effort but, until everything is perfect and the way she wants it to be then, everyone will suffer with her. The movie Penny is the same person, who knows her husband Everett is trying his best to please her, but still pushes him away. Unlike Penny, Penelope changes during the book “The Odyssey”, she is at first hopeless, because she couldn’t do anything with her life because the suitors were over powering her, then towards the end Penelope had power, and she was more confident.

 

 How Penelope sees waiting for Odysseus is, after years when her husband doesn’t come back form his adventure she decides to marry a suitor who can bow-and arrow like Odysseus. She says “all day long I indulge myself in sighs and tears as I see to my tasks, direct the house hold woman. When night falls and the world lies lost in sleep, I take to my bed, my heart throbbing about to break anxieties swarming, piercing. She wants to marry a man similar to Odysseus. Penelope obviously misses Odysseus; she thinks he’s dead so she wants to replace him with a man who is just like him.  Penny on the other hand marry’s a suitor and tells her daughters that their father got hit by a train. Honestly Penny, seemed like she fully moved on from Everett, and blocked him out from her life.  Penny hardly changes through out the movie. At the beginning she doesn’t care about her husband coming back, neither does she want to have a conversation with him. Towards the end, she’s the same. Penelope and Penny might be based on the same situations, but their attitudes toward their husbands are different.

    Penny and Penelope are both connected by their husbands (Everett and Odysseus). They are mostly different, not much alike because of their attitudes towards their husbands Penelope changes through out the book, a woman who is afraid to over power, but begins to feel her power strengthening once Odysseus comes back from his 20 year journey. Penny hardly changes she ignores her husband Everett, stays that same way towards the end even when she gets back together with Everett she has no feelings for what her husband does to make her happy. Even though Penny and Penelope are based off of the same book “The Odyssey” they are different in many ways. Though Penny and Penelope go through the same situation with their husbands not being there for years, they learn to be powerful, strong and forgiving women at the end.