• Self Portrait small
• Self portrait large
• texture
• 2 point perspective
• shade

For this project, what had to be done was finding a picture online that interested me and drawing it. This drawing was to be copied and mastered in order to make it look exactly like the original. For my drawing I felt as though my drawing looked like the one I chose. 

For this assignment that I decided to do was "the persistence of memory" by Salvador Dali. The reason that I chose this picture was because I really felt like it was something that I was able to draw. I saw the picture as something that was very inspiring. My interpretation to this was that time is something that can either be used wisely or not. Throughout this assignment, I felt as though the time that I used for this assignment was not used as wisely as it could have been. It shows that a person has to persistence with their work as time passes by if not a person can end up taking long to do the things that have to be done and wasting time. I worked on this picture by first drawing it and then coloring it with coloring pencils. I attempted to shade this well, but although it wasn't my best piece of work it was the best I could in the moment with a limited amount of time. A future consideration that I would do is making sure that I shade better and use either oil pastels or paint the paper so that the color is more vibrant and looks better in terms of the shading and quality. 

I largely focused on this assignment because I was a very camera shy person before this assignment. I decided that I wanted to take a challenge, therefore I decided not to omit this assignment. From the 200 photos I took, we were told to take 5 pictures and edit them. When editing these pictures I did different effects that would make my pictures look cool. Being so that I also wasn't good at editing this assignment was beneficial to learning how to do so. I didn't only take pictures of myself, considering that many of the pictures were of my surroundings as well. Since, I didn't like taking pictures before this project I decided to take 5 pictures of myself and edit them to put on the blog. The edits resembled my life and my feelings in some terms from the stages I went through throughout doing this work. Below I decided to post the before and after pictures.

 

 

For the internet sculpture assignment I already knew what I wanted to do. Since this assignment enabled me to choose something I was interested in I decided to make bracelets. In previous years I always told myself that I wanted to learn how to make these bracelets, which are known to be friendship bracelets. Never finding the time to do these bracelets I put it off. Being so that this assignment had to do with crafts, I took my opportunity. My sister has a friendship bracelet kit that guides you on how to make bracelets and I was re-inspired when looking for online crafts. With that in mind, I decided to to make three bracelets, while two consisted of the same designs but different colors and vice versa. My sister also taught me how to make other bracelets that are currently unfinished. This assignment was perfect for me being so that I learned how to make something I was interested, which also make a great, small present for a friend. 

Large Clear Object-

This assignment that I made consisted of taking a clear object and shading it in terms of coloring shadows and making it look like it was on a real life surface. In quarter one we were given this exact assignment, instead it was made smaller. Once I was able to master how to make the drawing or at least had an idea I started this assignment. I began to look at the glass object from a bird eye's view instead of perceiving it from a regular eye view. First, I began by drawing the large clear figure with a pencil and then I  used charcoal to do the shading on my picture. Next, I made the shadows that I saw by shading it in darker. In some instances I checked where the light hit the image in order to have a sense of where I'm able to make this color look like a real life figure. After I did this and thought I was done, I decided that I wanted to work on it a little more. With wanting to enhance my drawing I decided that I would slightly incorporate my surroundings. With that in mind, I decided to make the clear object appear on the table of how exactly I saw it. 

Due-January 13^th, 2011                        Figuring It Out            Katherine Hunt

 “Yo, those jeans are smexy!”

“I know! I want them jawns in blue.”

“I want them too.”             

“I prolly cop me some of them. You know, in multiple colors. The green ones are my favorite you guys.”

“They are pretty cute.”

“Yo, what you think and why you so quiet, Katherine?” and everyone slowly turns their attention towards me.

 I give a quick shrug and give a confused face as if someone were speaking to me in a language I don’t understand.

As everyone continues to converse, I sit around and observe, I observe everyone’s moves and the words that people use and the things that people say. I’m not one to say much because most of the time I don’t know what to say, nor do I know what I feel. I don’t have everything figured out like the people around me. My voice isn’t heard enough, I lack sharing my self-expression. To think about it, once upon a time, self-expression was once key to everything, when I used to feel like I was a part of everything. That was when keeping a conversation with someone was practical.

 “Katherine how was your day?”

I Shrugs.

“Can you answer my question?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“Cool, cool.”

I keep quiet

“Can you say something?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“Anything!”

I stay silent and make a confused face.

 “Gosh, I feel like I’m speaking to a brick wall!”

I don’t reply, and I sits with a blank look, thinking.

  I felt like I didn’t want to understand the words that were being said to me. I knew I wasn’t quite communicating enough. It was as if I was Richard Rodriguez when he said, “I tried not to hear it anymore, but I heard all too well the calm easiness in the attendant’s reply.” The words were spoken so easily and with such tranquility, yet the words that I wanted to depict were lost within my thoughts. They were jumbled up the way that earphones get after being thrown in a bag with other cords.

  After trying for about two or more minutes frustration always seems to kick in, so I just stop. Something is wrong in my brain and the way I think. Something is wrong with me. It seems like everyone is on the same page, but I’m chapters behind. There’s one thing that blocks me from continuing. It’s as if I’m infatuated with my past and can’t move on to my future.

  Laughter remains the most in my memories, and feelings of acceptance no longer remain at all. I am an outsider. I don’t act or think the same way people do; I’m different. I’m aware that I’m not normal, but then again what does normal even mean? It means that people follow certain standards to be certain ways, dress with the same trends, think the same way others do. Clearly, I am don’t follow other people’s standards.

Everything used to seem so right before. Once everything was so simple and there was nothing for me to really worry about. The only thing that remains now is broken trust within myself, because the moves I make always seem to be held back. It not only frustrates others, but it frustrates me. The words don’t come out. The sounds are baffling and sound like:

 “Well, ummmm… Whaaah… wha, what-t, I men meant… t um say…”

 “Katherine, just speak! I bet what you want to say, I bet isn’t that hard to say.”

“It is. I mean… I. Don’t. Uhmm, know. I can’t express it.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try! The words that are left unspoken are the ones that hurt the most”

  The words lingered throughout my brain. All the things that people said to me were true. Well at least, I believed they were. With my round face getting hotter and redder by the minute from the frustration that I hold inside. My body begins to make my eyebrows furrow and my eyes water for no reason. This isn’t normal one bit; there has to be something is wrong me. After hearing things so many times it was unbearably remarkable that I had to take the time and attention to adhere to the situation. This was just one of those things that I just had to get used to. I had to get used to trying to speak and trying to satisfy others and myself at the same time.

  I knew that the first thing was admitting that I needed to try to change my ways, so that at least I’d be able to ensure that communication with other people was just better. The amount that I communicate with people has to be at least suitable for the encounter, enough communication so people won’t be bored, but not so much that I’m not speaking too much until people get annoyed with my presence. The goal here is communication.

  Everyday I set a new goal for myself. I may not be the most social person, but I try. I rather listen than talk, but everyone needs his or her voice to be heard. Every voice has a person behind it and a reason and a way of expression. I haven’t quite frankly found the way that I can express myself with words. It takes time.

  The time that it takes also comes with the patience and understanding. I don’t have it all figured out, but hopefully one day, I will. One day I’ll be able to say more that just “Umm… I don’t know”. The day that my voice is heard, is today. Maybe today I’m saying too much or too little, but it’s okay. In my mind, I said enough. I found the courage to realize that I’m different and not everyone communicates in the same way, but sooner or later I’ll figure it out. If I don’t ever understand how, it’s okay  because saying something is better than not saying anything. 

Sweat glistened off of my forehead and dripped onto my t-shirt as I ran home. Half of my shirt was now partially damp from this sweat, considering I had just run home from my job. Ugh, I just got laid off. I knew my mom wouldn’t be happy with me. (From here on the character is going on a mental rampage) Then again what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her right? Or should I remember that honesty is the best policy? It was neither. Either way I was trapped.

  Not telling her about work wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve hidden something from her. Last week I hid the fact that I had the money she wanted me to get, but I didn’t get it the way she expected me to. Standing on the corner was not apart of my ideal expectations for myself. I mean I had a job at McDonalds getting paid 5 dollars an hour. I had given her my 4 years earning for college, but that wasn’t enough. Working over time for her wasn’t getting the money in. It was giving my body up, sneaking over time without my mom knowing or selling drugs.

Money is the only thing that satisfied my mother. She expected me to sell drugs because she claims it brought the most money to the table. Out of everyone that I seen do it I just couldn’t sell drugs, although I knew someone who could, It was my uncle Tito. My mom still doesn’t know that my uncle has been back to his old ways, cigarettes, weed, guns, and cocaine. That was my uncle’s way of life, and he wasn’t planning to change it for anything.

I felt like I knew my uncle’s darkest secrets and one was what he did to me. The image of what he has done to me has been running through my head for a long time now. Ever since I felt his skin touch mine I was never the same. I remembered it like it was yesterday. 

 I felt his bare skin touch mine. I screamed out howls of despair as his cold flesh made my burning flesh become room temperature. I remember that moment like it was yesterday, I’m just aware that my mom wont believe it. She wouldn’t believe that her own brother decided to put his manhood into my delicate flower and take away my innocence. I was scared and I still am.

 My innocent anatomy wasn’t pure any longer and won’t ever be again. I know I need to stop doing all of these things and stop letting these things be done to my precious body. So, how could I please everyone and myself at the same time? It was a simple answer, I couldn’t. I wanted to come out clear but the dark shadows lurked behind me.

 I could imagine my uncle’s voice as he would slam my body down onto the bed and say to me “ Don’t complain, ain’t nobody gonna give you sex besides me anyway. No nigga wants ya, they never gonna.” This image burns in the back of my head, as my mind wanders in to the starry night.

 There was one thing that stopped me from living my daily life like a “normal” person. It took all my life to figure out what it is.  It is Fear (Character makes fear seem like a person*). Fear stopped me from telling my mom the truth and fighting off my uncle. Fear was beside me as I ran home to tell my mom I got laid off. That was until it caught up in front of me and blocked me from telling the truth. Fear keeps me awake every night and lurks behind my shadows. I am that little piece in my own mind, watching the world from a distance.  

                                      Personal Final Draft                                    Katherine Hunt

                                                                                                   Gold Stream

                                                                                          Due- September 23,2011

My eyebrows furrowed, my eyes watered and a headache developed from thinking really hard. It all made the situation worse. After 15 minutes the task seemed impossible. Sitting in my living room at the glass table I turned to look at my wall clock.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. The wall clock from my house seemed to tick and tock as the time passed by but yet my paper had nothing.

“What’s wrong Katherine?” asked my sister in a concerned voice.

“Nothing…”, I said in an anxious voice as I scratched my head.

“You sure? I can help you if you need assistance.”

“Yeah, I’m fine just thinking, and I don’t need help. I would have asked by now if I did.”

It was just hard to understand. In my frustration, punching walls and break pencils is an action I began to take on. As I watched the wooden parts break off onto the floor, the small wooden parts of the pencil jammed into my skin giving me a splinter and this didn’t seem so productive either.

“Failure, Failure, Failure. That’s the definition of who I am, nothing more but everything less.“

Screams of “failure” had traveled up to my mother’s room where she was sleeping on her queen size bed. She came out of her room down to the living room where I was now standing and gave me a look of concern.

“What’s wrong Katherine?”

“Nothing…Everything.”

“Make up your mind Katherine, people don’t scream for no reason.”

My sister (Jennifer) walked from upstairs down to the living room. She looked at both of us in an interested look, but mainly in disbelief. Jennifer was confused as to the way my emotions were taking over. My hands were over my head and slowly the words came out:

“ Okay, well I’ve been trying to do math for 3 hours now. Math is the worse thing that has ever happened to me. I…. hay…. haaay… HATE it. It makes no sense and it’s a bunch of useless bullshit!”

“ Katherine let your sister help you.”

“ I DON’T WANT TO, IT’S A WASTE OF LIFE!”

Pushing the chair in front of me out my way and proceeded up the steps. Once I reached the door to my room I stayed in there and cried for hours. Later on in the day my sister taught me what errors were being made on my part. In those moments it came to me that pride should never get in the way of asking for help. In the beginning, I was arrogant and brought my frustration with me, later learning that all along I could have left it behind, by just asking for help.

                      Character Analysis (Macbeth)

Lady Macbeth’s change during the book Macbeth was very evaluated in order to portray her growth. She starts off as a very strong woman who knew what she wanted in the play and by the end her strength turns into weakness.

Lady Macbeth says, “ Under my battlements. Come you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.” In Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 39-41 the speaker is Lady Macbeth. This is one of the first times Lady Macbeth is first introduced in the play. It shows that she wants to be seen more than women, with more power, and maybe even seen as something that is non-perishable or not of the human race. Lady Macbeth seems to possibly want the power that men do in her era because they were more heard than the women. But what does she want this strength for? She seems to be robust but longs for recognition, longing for what her husband Macbeth has, but she doesn’t.

“To beguile the time, look like the time; bear welcome in your eyes, your eye, your hand, your tongue; like th’ innocent flower.” is what Lady Macbeth spoke in that passage. More of Lady Macbeth’s character is shown when she says” it is portrayed that she can be very devious, slick, and sneaky. “Act 1, Scene 5, and Lines 62-64. With this in mind, it shows that Lady Macbeth is pretty much capable of anything, but does it so that she is not easily suspected. In this point in the story she is hatching a fraudulent act with her husband, which is killing the King Duncan.

“But screw your courage to the sticking place”, Lady Macbeth stated in Act1, Scene 7, and Line 61. When Lady Macbeth says this she is having a conversation about killing King Duncan. This quote is revealing that at this point and time Lady Macbeth is very serious about King Duncan’s assassination. It also makes her a person who is very confident in her plan. When Lady Macbeth says this she is talking to her husband, trying to boost his confident that the plan of killing Duncan will work and that everything will go well.

In Act 1, Scene 7, and lines 48-49 Lady Macbeth says, “That made you break this break this enterprise to me? When you drust do it, then you were a man.” In this part of the play Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are disputing over their plan, which was killing King Duncan. This time it seems like Macbeth can’t come through with his part of the deal. Lady Macbeth is very upset, which reveals a lot about her character. She seems to be dismayed that her husband doesn’t want to go along with his part of the deal. It also shows that Lady Macbeth has a way with words to makes try to get her way.

In Act 2 of the play the attempt of the death is done. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth kill Duncan. “Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, and tis’ not done. The attempt and not the deed” (Act 2, Scene 2, and Lines 9-10) When Lady Macbeth says it is shown that she is a little unsure of this because she is scared that her and Macbeth will get caught, which is why the attempt and not the deed would be done. This also represents that she still decided to go along with killing Duncan as she planned with her husband making her of her word. In fact when she says this quotes she is speaking to Macbeth trying to make sure that everything goes right, it shows her fear and worry to what will occur in the future as well.

Act 2, Scene 2, Line 9-10 is where Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers”. They are doing the deed, but Macbeth brought the daggers with him and is feeling guilty. This reveals that Lady Macbeth is a little controlling. She also seems powerful and shows her power by demanding the daggers and putting them in their place herself. Lady Macbeth seems pretty assured that things will go right and it also reveals that Lady Macbeth helps her husband get back on track when he is not mentally strong.

As the play goes on Lady Macbeth’s state of mind begins to change. Now in Act 3, Scene 2, and Lines 7-8 Lady Macbeth says, “Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy”. This is showing a little bit of fear, sadness, and doubt on Lady Macbeth’s part. Basically when she says that Lady Macbeth is saying that she is scared that one day she will be discovered. Also, it is revealing that Lady Macbeth seems to start getting weaker as the play goes on because now that the deed is done she is no longer as confident as before. When Lady Macbeth says this she is having an aside/ soliloquy, which is her basically expressing her emotions as to what is happening.

As the story is started to end, it is visible to see where Lady Macbeth is starting to loose her strength. This is shown where Lady Macbeth says, “What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that” in Act 5, Scene 1, and Lines 43-44. This means that Lady is feeling the guilt from killing King Duncan. She feels as though she feels weak and her ways. Lady Macbeth is showing that she is getting a little mentally unstable. When she says this quote she is not conscious she is saying it because of the fact that she is sleep walking out of guilt.

There is also evidence that that Lady Macbeth is pretty unsure of herself when the gentlewomen in the play says, “She has spoken what she should not, I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she has known”. {Act 5, Scene 1, Line 48) In this part this is where Lady Macbeth is sleep walking and can’t hold her guilt. This tells about her that her weakness has taken over. Also, it tells the others now that she is possibly capable of anything now that they know that she has leaked what she has done. With this in mind, Lady Macbeth is now on her weakness point.

“ Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand”, is what Lady Macbeth says in Act 5, Scene 1, Lines 50-51. She is most likely turning insane with the fact that she can’t handle she has murdered a human being. It is reveals that her motives were most likely different from before. She was most likely thinking about the fact that she wanted to be royalty, but the fact that she is now royalty she realizes that she was definitely power crazed. This is before the scene ends and right before Lady Macbeth decided to end her life.

In conclusion Lady MacBeth went from someone who was prevailing to someone who was weak. She was very determined to kill. Once Lady Macbeth and Macbeth killed King Duncan and she because royalty over time she wasn’t able to cope with her decision.

                       As Life Goes On(Memoir Vignette)

I was miserable when I was young. (Opener) I didn’t always live in the northeast portion of Philadelphia. I did in fact live in North Philadelphia. My sanity seemed to end at the age of eight when I was exposed to things I felt no one should ever be. No child, no sinner, no parent (magic three). No one at all.

Almost everyone was smoking, drinking and getting high. (Magic three) People shot each other, fought over unnecessary things, and thought it was okay to rob others just for the hell of it. (Magic three) Most people thought that they were cool if they did those things, but for me the word cool meant fool. As I walked alone in the dark as the shadows lurk behind me, I didn’t feel safe. I saw other people get jumped and hoped that I wasn’t the next victim. Everyday I was susceptible to fear every single moment of the day. I was only eight, maybe I didn’t quite understand everything that was going on at the time, but I knew what drugs and violence were and that they were one of those things people should stay away from. (Imagery)

All I can possibly recall is feeling anguish, anger, and confusion. (Magic three and vocabulary) I felt that feeling where I didn’t know how to feel, my heart seemed to beat faster as each beat went on. It was in those moments where I wanted to help the situation at hand, but felt helpless. Being in a room full of people, it always seemed as though I was the only one there. These feelings seemed to have evolved because my neighborhood in North Philadelphia was full of gang violence and drug addicts. (Imagery)

Day after day after day (rep for effect), it seemed as though these things just weren’t going away. I never expected that anyone in my family would ever fall under the influence of either gang violence or drugs, but I guess I should have expected the unexpected. My brother Raymundus (Ray) ended up falling into the influence of both things actually. As each minute passed I felt like my brother was slipping away from the grasp of my mother’s hand. Of course she tried helping him, but my mother seemed to be as helpless as I was. What my mother was trying to do just didn’t seem to amount to enough. (Part of my realization)

So everyday I seemed to go to my room at night and just lay under my covers. The months seemed to pass by and still no hope. In the summer and spring I could feel the gust of the winds feeling against my walls and slapping me in the face. (Personification & metaphor) The chills seemed to run through my body and it was as cold as a winter’s day, but the only thing I knew to do was pray for salvation and cry. In the winter and fall time I felt the heat of my tears warming my face up as the tears rolled down my cheek. I began to feel hot, angry and frustrated. (Magic three) There was frustration that didn’t seem to leave my alone. It wasn’t something that anyone could just brush off, but at the same time being eight it was hard to confront. I cried and cried and cried, but that didn’t seem to help the situation at all. (Personification, magic three and rep for effect)

As the time went by my family seemed to move up to the Northeast portion of Philadelphia. We hoped that things would get better, since we would be away from being in North Philadelphia, but we were wrong. That sister and brother bond that we had before, that I seemed to see again just never came back. Before he fell victim it was like a big happy family my sister, brother, and I were all best friends. After drugs took over his life we wouldn’t even say a word to each other.  In fact the situation seemed to get even worse. Nothing seemed to help, no talking to him, no leaving notes, my sister and I seemed to loose hope. Confrontations between my mother and brother seemed to occur everyday, yelling and screams is all that ever happened when my brother was there.

These confrontations led to my brother just walking out of the house. He wouldn’t come back until random times in the night it could be one o’clock and he still wasn’t home. All I could possibly do was hope that nothing happened to him and that everything was okay. I figured that with some time that I would possibly get used to it, but I never did. Every time I saw my brother his eyes were red.

My brother’s body was always as bruised as a tomato, from gang fights. (Simile) My family was never really ever to process this considering that my brother is so intelligent, but decided to waste his talent. My mother always seemed to lecture him about it, but it never ended well. Then again I can’t imagine anything worst than losing a child considering I’m not even a parent. My mother tried speaking to my brother because she knows he has the potential and she didn’t want her child to end up in jail or in a grave before his calling.

Ray never really seemed to understand the pain and agony that my mother was going through and indeed it seems that we end up hurting the people we love the most.  I can remember this situation like it was yesterday. My mother picked up the house phone and busted out into tears. I was scared and thought my brother was dead. I then find out that his drink had been spiked and besides that he had been given “angel dust”, which caused him hallucinations.

In that moment I was beyond frightened; seeing my mother heart broken always seems to make me heart broken, and feel beyond helpless. All I knew in that moment, like always was to cry. We hopped in the car, rushed to the hospital, and ran into the E.R. (magic three) Finally after a long wait we got to see my brother. He was on the verge of death, his skin was beyond pale, and besides that he was throwing up everywhere. (Magic three) The fact that he was throwing up didn’t stop me from my first instinct so I just I grabbed his hand, looked at him, and told him I loved him. (Magic three) It was in that moment we connected as brother and sister; it was like we were two chemicals whose bond could not be broken. (Simile)

Of course I knew that drugs could end someone’s life, but never did I think it could affect a family member and my relationship with them or with someone I love. All I could think of in that moment was how glad I was that Ray was alive. From that day on I made a vow that I wouldn’t ever do drugs or try to do anything that would hurt the people around me. (Realization)

The intelligence that my brother had, never left him being caught up with the wrong people at the wrong time is what happened. Also, Knowing that he needed help, but was too hard headed to admit it is another thing Ray lacked. My mother got him help one day and I recall it being the best day of my life. It hurt to know that although my brother and I didn’t even exchange words I wouldn’t be able to see his face everyday, though I knew it was for the best.

My brother made a vow to change his ways, but who knew if he would stay true to what he said. It took some time, but with time everything fell into its place. Currently, my brother is away at a school, un addicted to drugs (Magic 3) and striving to be the best he could possibly be. Soon he will be in college, and realizes that his actions weren’t the smartest. Our relationship hasn’t been the same like when we he was about 12, considering we just starting talk again about 2 months ago. Although, everyday that we talk it seems like its something we build up.

Throughout the world characteristics of leaders are courageous, smart, and usually very tactical. There are many aspects that define leaders beside the fact that they always do everything correctly. There is evidence in the movie “ O Brother, Where Art Thou? “, written by Jeff Martin and also throughout the book The Odyssey by Homer. The main characters, and leaders, from these stories are Everett from and Odysseus from the book, respectively. While Odysseus and Everett are very strong men and tactical leaders that have their flaws; Everett was more willing to not only accept the fact that he makes mistakes, but also apologize to his crew members about said mistakes. This makes Everett a better leader.

As heroic leaders, Odysseus and Everett took very similar missions throughout their voyages in order to get back home to their families and normal lives, especially back to their wives. These two leaders had to overcome all the obstacles that came in their way of returning home to their loved ones. For example, throughout both stories the men had to pass the mystical and strange Sirens, which seemed like an impossible task. Odysseus is told to tell the crew members by Circe” But if you plead, commanding your men to set you free, then they must last you faster, rope on rope”(Book 12, page 273, line 59) Meanwhile, too occupied of the task trying to get to their destinations both lose men, losing sight of reality, honesty, and concentration. Since, they are “leaders”, they attempt to disguise their weakness and remorse in order to move on with the situation at hand, which is where there cockiness comes into play. Everett decides to say, “Where is my hair treatment”, while the crew is in a desperate time of need of food and shelter, just as Odysseus did with his men by saying” And if someone were to ask you who blinded me tell them my name is Odysseus raider of the cities”(Book 9, page 227 line 561) and when he did this he put the lives of his crew members at risk of not only getting home, but getting there alive.

Odysseus ends up loosing all his men and going home alone because he doesn’t want to tell his men his plans, to warn them because of his pride, unlike Everett who goes home with his two men he came. Even though Everett didn’t tell his men the ideas he knew that his men weren’t in danger at those moments. Odysseus risks his men life when they are near Scylla by saying “No mention of Scylla-how to fight that nightmare?”(Book 12, page 278 line 241)

 Although, both characters take similar missions, Everett’s wife is not faithful to him & instead of taking the time to kill the man like Odysseus did he finds the way to get him out of both of their lives. Throughout the book Everett and Odysseus find ways to deceive their men or make them angry, Everett unlike Odysseus realizes that he is only human and swallows up his pride in order to apologize to his men by saying “I know that I have made tactical mistakes”. Odysseus doesn’t apologize, but shows grief by expressing how he felt when he saw his men die such a terrible death. He says “I could see their hands and feet already hoisted, falling, high, higher, over my head, look wailing down at me, comrades riven in agony, shrieking out my name for the last time….Of all the pitiful things I’ve had to witness”(Book 12, page 279, lines 266-280) Everett has two other men on his side that he has to lead, but Odysseus has many men, which is a result of him having to be more secure of himself and of his actions. For ex. when Odysseus furls the rock at the Cyclops, it could have ended some of his crewmembers’ lives as well just because of his pride.

 Pride and selfishness are not best characteristics. Everett displays himself as a cocky leader, while Odysseus displays himself as both selfish and cocky. Since Everett was able to put his characteristics aside, unlike Odysseus who never really owned up to the fact that it was his fault that his men never made it back with him, he was able to make a better leader.

Overview: This assignment was done in the beginning of the school year, possibly the first couple weeks of school. For this assignment, it was about us as well as and incorporating who we are throughout our writing. The purpose was to be able to distinguish who we are, and what makes us unique from others as well as seeing what we had in common with others as they presented their interests and hobbies.

Book Review

Jason and Kyra is a book that has been written by Dana Davidson. The book was published in December 2005 and has reached a sales rank of about 31,000 books. Jason and Kyra won a couple awards, which are the Virginia’s choice award, National book award, and the Michael L. Prints award.

In Jason and Kyra the main characters are Jason and Kyra, hence the name of the book. In the story they seem to live in totally separate worlds, although they are both seniors at Cross High School. Jason being the totally popular jock that everyone wants and Kyra being the quiet girl that just doesn’t seem to stand out to many.

Their worlds seem to collide when they are both assigned to be partners for a project, of course Kyra didn’t seem too excited since she didn’t expect that Jason was smart. On the other side Jason looked forward to working with Kyra. As time goes by Kyra realizes that Jason is truly smart and has such potential when it comes to being in the classroom. They both start to gain a small connection for each other and Jason tells Kyra things that he isn’t even comfortable telling to his best friend.

Sooner than later, Kyra and Jason began to bond and end up becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. Only there is one problem, since Jason was known to be and jock and the popular one and Kyra was the silent girl that was mainly into the books, Jason’s ex girlfriend would do anything in her power to see them apart. Like Jason’s ex many people didn’t want them together asking them why they were together and on top of that Jason’s ex was trying to get him back, which many could say was hard. But Jason and Kyra found in each other beauty, confidence, and with that they learned to love one another and get past societies thoughts.

Throughout this story Jason was my favorite character. He was able to live above what others thought about his relationship and smarts, and decided that being himself was the best thing to do in his situation. Also, another reason that Jason was my favorite character was because he was able to thrive in his path to success and what was on him mind usually became the prize.

With that in mind, I believe that readers will be able to take away a lot from this book. Many can learn that confidence can lead a good path and that sometimes other people’s negative opinions don’t matter. Also, some people will take out of this book that in life you have to learn to be willing to surpass those little things in life that wont better your well being. Lastly, this book teaches you to chase after your dreams because your dreams surely wont chase after you.

Personally, from this book I am able to relate to Jason and Kyra because they were both confident when it came to getting what they wanted and they seemed to be the outcast of the school, which isn’t always bad. Of course they were known as outcasts because not many people wanted them to be together, but the fact that they fought through it is what made their love stronger for each other. Like Jason I wasn’t always able to speak to the people that I thought were close to me, so that is probably what made me enjoy the book even more.

The book to me was well written and I surely enjoyed the way that the author portrayed the character’s feelings throughout the story, which made me attracted to the book as a reader. Although, I feel as though the book could have talked more about Jason’s ex girlfriend and her feelings toward Kyra. Also, the author could have possibly written more about Jason’s ex girlfriend and let her speak throughout the book; therefore I found that portion too be a weakness of the piece. Even though, this book had its weakness’ like any other book, I would definitely recommend this to other people because it teaches others the benefits of confidence, unconditional love, and inner & outer beauty.

Journal 1- There has been moments throughout my life where there are things that were difficult to get. The struggle was to find in which manner would be best to go about pursuing what it was that was difficult to get

 This often happens to me and from personal experience, although it is difficult it is best to pursue it directly rather than indirectly. For ex. when my friends invite me to places and there is no doubt throughout my mind that the idea is amazing but the problem is asking. When I really want something though, there is no doubt in my mind that I will strive for that certain something until I get it.

Journal 2- To fit in isn’t much important from my personal perspective. Fitting in is bland, boring and the same old stuff. When being yourself there is room for you be who you are; unique, creative and most importantly you. Putting yourself in a position where you act like something you’re not, is mainly glib.

Journal 3-A time where I have felt where I could drop my racial, cultural, or gender identity is when people feel the need to judge me. They feel as though just because I look a certain way I’m expected to be “ghetto” or not be as educated as I have been so far. With that in mind, another time I wish that I could drop my culture is when I’m beyond hungry and my best friend asks me for some of when I’m eating.

 It picks a nerve because I want to say when people ask me for food but sometimes the words don’t come out and even if I say no I still give in and give her some. Its all because I can imagine my mother saying “Katherine no se le niega la comida a nadie”. In other words my mother is saying its not good to deny others food. I mean I’m not a greedy person, but when it comes to sharing and im starving that’s when it becomes a problem.

 When people look at me they automatically think I am of African American descent, but they thought wrong because I am not black I am Dominican and Puerto Rican. When people ask me what race I am proudly I can say “I’m Dominican and Puerto Rican”.

Journal 4- There hasn’t even been a moment in my life where there has been an impossible task. Although time get rough, in my mind there isn’t a situation that as a human that is impossible to surpass. Considering that the easy way out isn’t always the best thing to, so when doing things that are difficult it really helps to learn more. With this characteristics that end up defining myself are hardworking and determined.

Journal 5- Your environment shapes who you are and who you become because you usually are influenced by your experiences. This behavior can be influence people in a negative or positive manner. When seeing terrible things you can either flow with it or live above the influence. When seeing things on a daily basis, you can assume that it isn’t terrible if you haven’t had background information on the concept.

Journal 6- When encountering the word “nigger” there was a pause throughout the reading. It seemed to be insolent behavior on Rufus’ part (he’s from the book). In this time he is a child and his father was using this word as well as many other people in his surroundings. Therefore, from his perspective the word “nigger” was okay to say.

Overview- The purpose of the myth project was to research about a mythical God who we found to be very interesting. There was one catch though, in order to choose this God it was best to know the least information about this mythical character. It was best to learn information that was fresh to the mind, in order to ensure that new information was gained and doing the project wasn’t boring.

Reflection on the year-

As a 9^th grade student, this portfolio says much about myself and expresses how my growth comes along as the time passes by. Throughout the year, there has been miraculous growth in the way that my pieces are written as well as their presentation. Coming into the 9^th grade, it was difficult to even write a couple sentences that were well structured and were without the word “I” or used dead words such as “good” and “bad”.

When seeing my later pieces compared from the ones previously in the year, readers will be able to tell that my vocabulary has flourished to a great extent. It seems that the quality of my pieces have gotten greater and the challenges have followed. Knowing that in the beginning of the school year, in myself there was a scarce amount of hope when it came to my writing. As the months went on there is much strength that has been developed on my part.

Some strength that has been developed is my usage of vocabulary and the fact that it has become easier to form well-written paragraphs. Although, with these strengths have come many weaknesses. Struggling with not only time management and procrastination, but making sure that all the key elements for all the assignments is touched when it comes to analysis.

Stating analysis is certainly a skill that is important to be able to gain, and surely it is one thing that should be worked on in order for myself to be successful in my writing. In making this portfolio a main struggle was my “Macbeth” piece, since there were many dead words presented in my piece. As well as the fact that dead words were used I stumbled upon finding that there could have been more explanation throughout my writing.

Practicing my writing solved the issues that have been encountered and as the time went on it was easier to flow with what was incorrect because it took time to be accustomed to. For those reasons when looking back at the work from earlier in the year, there was such a change in the way things would have been said. For those reason my most proud piece was my “Me Magazine” because it reminded myself that as a person I will never loose sight of who I really am. 

In my first blog post I talked about the Sex Slave Trade that goes on all throughout the world. Also, in my first blog post I talked about what I was interesting to me and wrote basic information. In my prior blog there was talk about where the Sex Slave Trade. This is my second blog post and I will go into more depth into what is going on with the trade at the moment.

New research that has been selected for this blog is where Sex Slave Trade originated. There is not an exact place that there is said that it originated because slaves come from everyone. Although, many of resources say that is flourished in Islam while others say that it started in Thailand, while others say this started back during the slave trade itself. Disregarding from where this originated that is not the problem. The real problem is the Sex Slave Trade itself.

Currently, the Sex Slave Trade is known to be illegal in most parts of the world. Although, it is illegal the population of this trade is starting to grow as the years pass by us. It is said that in the United States we are the lowest ranked human trafficking country in the world. On the contrary in Thailand, they are the highest ranked country that part-takes in the Sex Slave Trade. Since, the 1900’s there have been approximately 80,000 women and children sold into this market.

Every year there are thousands of people that are human trafficked throughout the world. Even though the Sex Slave Trade is too big for anyone to make a huge impact to stop this there are organizations for this. Organizations are out the search in order to help victims stand up for what is right in hopes that this trade will be abolished. Some organizations to help are “Abolish Slavery” and “Not for Sale”.

Bibliography-

1.     http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1530000/posts

2.   http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_1.shtml

3.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_slavery

4.     http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=12616

5.     http://www.suite101.com/content/the-sex-slave-trade-innocence-lost-a239643

Rigoberta Menchú es una activista que es de Guatemala. En Guatemala ella viene de un grupo indígena de discriminada. Ella lucha para los derechos de su patria en esperanza de un país mejor. Rigoberta lucha por los derechos sin violencia pero con paz.

2.    ¿Quién es (el otro pacifista que escogerion)?

      El otro pacifista que escogí fue el activista Mahatma Gandhi.

  3.    ¿Qué tienen en común?

Rigoberta y Mahatma fueron de grupos indígenas. También lucharon para sus patrias. Los dos decidieron luchar con paz y no con violencia.

4.    ¿Cuáles son unas diferencias entre los dos?

Unas diferencias entre los dos es que la familia de Rigoberta fue asesinados por soldados, pero nadie de la familia de Mahatma murió por este manera. Rigoberta fue violada y nada le paso a Mahatma. También Mahatma era de India, pero Rigoberta es de Guatemala.

5.    ¿Por qué crees que no se incluye Menchú en los textos de historia ni en el currículo?

Creo que Menchú no es incluida en los textos de historia ni en el currículo de los Estados Unidos porque no fue una batalla con los Estados Unidos y tanpoco  es de America. 

Throughout the 4th quarter of English 1 we will be researching about things that interest us the most. You and the World is our project where we take everyday issues that many people don't have much background information about or just put it aside and make it less of a deal than it really is. These issues that we choose are revealed with its affects toward the world. Although, the topic that we are researching should regard our curiosity in order to successfully complete this assignment without us having a monotonous feeling towards it. 

Therefore, for my issue there will be talk about Sex Slave Trade. Until about a month ago, I didn't have knowledge of the existence of Sex Slave Trade. In my opinion few people are informed about this issue because it is a true event where many young women are getting and have been traumatized mentally, physically, and emotionally throughout the years.

In Islamic culture men started a practice in the years of the war in Quran. This practice consisted of women who were treated as if they were property. This was similar to slavery except for there was a twist to it. Women were forced to have sexual relations with their “masters” and eventually had to marry them against their will. Sadly this was considered to be legal in the Islamic culture and was brought out to different cultures and parts of the world. This topic is a more severe version of human trafficking, which is an exploitation of young women. The men had to work in dangerous conditions while the women worked in sex industries.

After learning most of this information, many questions come to my mind. Although, one major concern comes to mind. Is this happening in America at the moment and if so in what parts of the U.S.? Next, I feel like that is a concept that I will consider researching as well as were are parts in the world where the Sex Slave Trade is most common. 

Creo que Hugo Chávez es una persona quien no es oficialmente decidido de su titulo. En mi opinión Chávez es los dos, dictador y también presidente. La razón que creo en esto es por que el tiene las características de las dos cosas y eso es por que creo que esta tema es tan controversial. Hugo fue elegido por los cuidadanos de su país.Estoy de acuerdo con varios de sus acciones por que el trata de hacer lo mas bien que el puede para su país y le da libertad a los cuidadanos, pero a la misma vez el sabe que para el bien de los demás ser mas estricto. Con ser mas estricto el actúa como un dictador.

2) Si fueras Venezolan@, ¿votarías por él? Explica tu respuesta.

Si yo fuera Venezolana yo votaría por Hugo Chávez por que el trata de hacer todo para el bien del país. El fue elegido por los cuidadanos de su país varias veces, entonces se que el esta haciendo algo positivo que lo han elegido mas de 10 veces. 

Estimada Señora Amaralise de la Organización para el maltrato infantil,

Yo soy un profesor llamado Don Federico Fernández, testigo de un niño llamado Pablo. El ha sido maltratado por su papá. Mi hijo Rafael y sus compañeros han visto lo que está pasando con este niño, pero ellos eligen hacer la vista gorda. El maltrato infantil es una cosa muy sería y no debe ser dejado al lado. Como profesor de Pablo veo que él viene a la escuela muy temprano. A veces se nota que el no se quiere ir a la casa ni tan poco veo que el es un niño feliz y muchas veces esta de mal humor. Cuando el estaba cambiándose la ropa para la educación física  vi que el tenía muchas cicatrices y también unos moratónes en todo el cuerpo. La cicatriz era bien grande y preocupante y el moratón era de los colores negro y morado.

Cuando vi las marcas en el cuerpo de Pablo le pregunté lo que sucedió. Pablo me contesto “ Nada, me caí en la orilla de la escalera en mi casa”. Cuando el me dijo eso supe que la herida del era por una razón mas grande de lo que el piensa que pensé. Me fije que la crueldad y la negligencia  que el papá del chaval ha sido capaz de es bien preocupante. Muchas personas en la sociedad no se han enfrentado con la realidad de que el abuso es un tema bien sensible.

En el principio de esta experiencia y del momento que reconocí indicios del maltrato infantil supe que tuve que hacer algo. A la misma vez no pude hacer nada por que yo, ni los demás teníamos la prueba suficiente. Una verificación de que fue verdad que Pablo ha sido maltratado es cuando el no vino a la escuela por una semana. Yo intenté coger pasos para averiguar y preguntarle al papá de Pablo por que el no estuvo en la escuela. La escusa del papá fue que el estaba enfermo en la casa de su abuela, pero cuando le pregunte al chaval el me digo que su amigo a muerto y que él estaba deprimido.

Un día vi que el comportamiento del papá del chaval no era civil y que la forma de que el papá lo estaba tratando era bien violento. El lo tiro contra la pared y resulto con azotar a Pablo en la cara con un alambre hecho por metal. Pablo solamente pudo gritar, llorar y coger el dolor que el papá le estaba dando. Había mucha frustración en la cara de los dos, pero había mucho más rabia y dolor en los ojos de Pablo. Me puse de lo mas feliz en ese momento cuando grabé y le tiré fotos de lo que sucedió.

Con la prueba suficiente, en ese momento yo sabía que pude denunciar el papá de Pablo. Estuve feliz porque supe que ya Pablo no estaba en peligro como yo tuve la evidencia. En ese momento también era uno de los momentos más espantosos de mi vida. Cuando me fijé que había una solución me puse de lo mas feliz. Yo le ha escrito ha tu compañera Maritza varias veces sobre esta situación por que se que ella puede ayudar. A Maritza le di las imágenes y el video y ella me digo que te lo entrego a ti. Como tú tiene la evidencia, te estoy preguntando que por favor me mande la prueba porque aunque yo denuncie la situación la policía necesita la grabación e imágenes para ayudar a Pablo.

Aquí hay las preguntas que me ha preguntado la policía:
1. ¿ Para cuanto supiste que esta situación estaba ocurriendo?
2. ¿Sabes de mas testigos?
3. ¿Qué día fue que viste que el papá de Pablo lo pego?
4. ¿Tienes mas evidencia de lo que ocurrió?

Se que la única evidencia además de lo que ustedes tienen es de lo que cuando vi las marcas en el cuerpo del niño y también los indicios del maltrato. Los indicios han estado allí desde casi 7 meses. No puedo darle la respuesta de cuando paso ni cual día fui testigo de lo que sucedió hasta que tu me mande la prueba. Por favor hazme el favor de mandar me lo con urgencia. Agradezco el tiempo que me puedes dispensar.

Atentamente,

Don Federico Fernández

Mi personaje de la película Machuca es el Father McEnroe.

Como el cura, mis valores son muy importantes aunque hay muchas personas que no están de acuerdo con mis creencias. Nadie fue hecho igual, y ninguna persona es superior que al otro por eso soy igualitaria.  Entonces, con acuerdo de las políticas soy una persona que quiere cambio en este mundo. En otras palabras, soy izquierdista y no momio también soy  Todos los niños deben poder estudiar juntos, sin mención de cual clase sean. Pueden ser de la clase obrera, media, o alta. Eso no es lo que debe decidir donde cada niño estudia, pero la inteligencia de los demás silo debe decidir.  

De mi época no hay justicia para las personas de la clase obrera, tampoco para la clase media. Estas personas trabajan para todo lo que tienen y no es justo que sean tratados con menos respecto porque no tienen tanto dinero en comparación de las personas de la clase alta. La presidencia de Allende estuvo derrocado por la militaría cuando el estuvo una amistad con el EE.UU., pero eso solamente hizo la situación peor para las personas de pocos recursos. Eso es la realidad, y muchas personas deben cambiar sus formas de ser porque no se compra el respeto.

Yo escogí la obra de arte llamada “Mapa de Carne” hecho por el artista famoso Miquel Barceló. En la obra veo diferente tipos de lo que aparentan ser animales o posiblemente monstruosos. Los colores son apagados, pero a la misma vez hay muchas partes que tienen colores que son brillantes. En relación con mi época, el tono de la obra es de temor y a la misma vez el poder de la gente. La muerte esta representada aquí y el nacimiento de un país nuevo.

Memorias que me surgen, son con recordar las personas que sufrieron y sufren con sus familias solo por ser de la clase obrera o de la clase media. Me recuerdo de la falta de respeto y la ignorancia que tienen las personas de la clase alta. Hay una tensión fuerte entre los clases. Ellos no entienden que todas las personas de la clase obrera y la clase media son humanos como ellos. A veces pienso que los ricos se han olvidado de eso pero también puede ser porque no han luchado por lo que tienen, pero si no todo lo que tienen lo podrán tener con solo dirigir la palabra.

Las diferentes cosas en el cuadro simbolizan muchas cosas diferentes, y esas cosas están en relación con lo que ha pasado en mi época. Hay un animal blanco con la boca abierta que se ve bien extraño, y esta siendo garrado por una persona roja cual se ve bien espantoso. El animal blanca representa las personas de la clase alta y la militaría quien eran una amenaza para las personas de la clase media y obrera.

El militar y las personas de la clase alta están aliados con el gobierno y son representada por la persona roja porque las personas de la clase obrera y media fueron amenazaron por ellos. Hay partes del cuerpo como los pulmones y un corazón que representa de la época el país entero. En la obra hay una pájaro rojo que representa todas las personas que volaron o se fueron de otra forma del país para evitar las amenazas de los militares.

Creo que Barceló pinto esta obra para representar como el se sentía de algo que le estaba molestando. Al ver esta obra me hacer triste en saber que por solamente tener más dinero que el otro personas no se respetan. Me hacer mas triste para saber que la militaría quiere suspender la existencia de lo que ganar menos que las personas de la clase alta.

La obra de Barceló influye mucho, porque aunque hay unas puertas que han cerrado, siempre hay otra puerta que abren. Entonces como estamos en un tiempo donde muchas cosas no son justos, creo que con tiempo las personas vamos a encontrar justicia. Por eso estoy acuerdo con el pintor porque enseña que todo de la vida no es tan negativo y que debemos levantar la cabeza alta y luchar para lo que queremos. Si nosotros no luchamos nadie va a luchar.