Making connections to the book:
This book doesn’t relate to my life, because it seems like all of the issues in this book, like a girl getting raped, kids being trialed for hurting her, there’s who kills a dog, bobby finding out that his father isn’t dead and that he wants to be in his life again, and on top of all of that they have a band that they think is going to win this huge contest but probably wont. Although these things take place in the book and not in my life, they could be happening to other kids because it’s not impossible for all these things to happen. This book relates to the world, because I’m sure that there are people out there that can relate to certain parts of this book. This book relates to the media, because every so often you do hear about girls getting hurt very badly like Sophie did and then many people getting put on trial and being questioned for it.
A Short Summary:
Sophie gets a therapist to talk to and he tells her that she should go back to Montana for the summer to stay with her friend and figure things out. Crow and Sophie finally talk, but it doesn’t end well. Tom kills a dog, because he kind of ran it over with his car and since it wasn’t dead he decided to beat it to death and kill it. Ava (Helen’s sister) and Carl (Helen’s husband) decide to finally end their affair after all those years. Bobby goes to visit his dad for the first time ever.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
week 5 post a
Vocab:
1. Hiatus (pg. 180)- noun, a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.
2. Gait (pg. 189)- noun, a manner of walking, stepping, or running.
Figurative Language:
"'Let's eat gobs of cheese on these crackers like we used to do'" (pg. 175). This is an example of a similie because it uses the word 'like' to compare it to something else.
"Blood came out in spurts onto the bat, spattering Tom's shirt and face" (pg. 191). This is an example of imagery because when Tom is describing this scene where the dog is being killed, you can really see this happening and imagine it well.
A symbol in this section of my book is that after Tom kills the dog, he realizes he did it because he is the one that wants to die, he is sick of living his life and thinks, 'There are worse things than death', and the dog is just a symbol of that. I know this is an example of a symbol, because it is something that represents something else.
1. Hiatus (pg. 180)- noun, a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.
2. Gait (pg. 189)- noun, a manner of walking, stepping, or running.
Figurative Language:
"'Let's eat gobs of cheese on these crackers like we used to do'" (pg. 175). This is an example of a similie because it uses the word 'like' to compare it to something else.
"Blood came out in spurts onto the bat, spattering Tom's shirt and face" (pg. 191). This is an example of imagery because when Tom is describing this scene where the dog is being killed, you can really see this happening and imagine it well.
A symbol in this section of my book is that after Tom kills the dog, he realizes he did it because he is the one that wants to die, he is sick of living his life and thinks, 'There are worse things than death', and the dog is just a symbol of that. I know this is an example of a symbol, because it is something that represents something else.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
week 4 post b
Analyzing the Protagonist
Sophie Chabot is a main character in this story. Sophie is a girl who is always herself, even when she moves to a new town and has to make all new friends. Sophie lives only with Rita her mom. Sophie has to overcome losing her dad (who died in a forest fire), going to a new school, and making new friends. This isn’t very hard for her though because all the boys she meets seem to like her. This causes tension among her guy friends. But Sophie knows that she wants Crow so she ends up with him. I think that Sophie made the right choice as to going out with Crow rather than the other boys, because Crow is the type of person to comfort her when she needs it and make sure she’s always ok. But the other guys just like Sophie just because of looks. Because Crow cares for her so much I think that Sophie should tell everyone that Crow didn’t have anything to do with the attacks on her. Crow however did end up not getting a jail sentence, but Sophie should have stepped up and told the truth to make the court meetings end sooner. Sophie also needs to learn how to talk to her mother more. She lets her mother decide everything that’s best for her, when she knows that she should tell someone that Crow is innocent. Rita tries to get Sophie to lie and say Crow did the attacks, because she didn’t like that Sophie was dating a boy two years older anyway.
Sophie Chabot is a main character in this story. Sophie is a girl who is always herself, even when she moves to a new town and has to make all new friends. Sophie lives only with Rita her mom. Sophie has to overcome losing her dad (who died in a forest fire), going to a new school, and making new friends. This isn’t very hard for her though because all the boys she meets seem to like her. This causes tension among her guy friends. But Sophie knows that she wants Crow so she ends up with him. I think that Sophie made the right choice as to going out with Crow rather than the other boys, because Crow is the type of person to comfort her when she needs it and make sure she’s always ok. But the other guys just like Sophie just because of looks. Because Crow cares for her so much I think that Sophie should tell everyone that Crow didn’t have anything to do with the attacks on her. Crow however did end up not getting a jail sentence, but Sophie should have stepped up and told the truth to make the court meetings end sooner. Sophie also needs to learn how to talk to her mother more. She lets her mother decide everything that’s best for her, when she knows that she should tell someone that Crow is innocent. Rita tries to get Sophie to lie and say Crow did the attacks, because she didn’t like that Sophie was dating a boy two years older anyway.
week 4 post a
Vocab
Jaunty (pg. 148): adjective- 1. easy and sprightly in manner or bearing 2. smartly trim, as
clothing
Jarred (pg. 153): verb- 1. to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves,
feelings, or thoughts, etc. 2. to produce a harsh, grating sound
Quote
'"What are you doing, Bobby?" Crow yelled.'
This quote is significant because everyone seems to ask this question lately. At the band meeting Bobby just shows up with a gun in this backpack. He claims that he wants to have good aim to impress his dad whom he never knew and thought was dead. Bobby had gotten a letter from his dad saying how much he wanted to see him. Bobby's mother had lied to him his whole life about his father because he's really alive. Everyone has just noticed that Bobby has become distant from his friends and family lately.
Jaunty (pg. 148): adjective- 1. easy and sprightly in manner or bearing 2. smartly trim, as
clothing
Jarred (pg. 153): verb- 1. to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves,
feelings, or thoughts, etc. 2. to produce a harsh, grating sound
Quote
'"What are you doing, Bobby?" Crow yelled.'
This quote is significant because everyone seems to ask this question lately. At the band meeting Bobby just shows up with a gun in this backpack. He claims that he wants to have good aim to impress his dad whom he never knew and thought was dead. Bobby had gotten a letter from his dad saying how much he wanted to see him. Bobby's mother had lied to him his whole life about his father because he's really alive. Everyone has just noticed that Bobby has become distant from his friends and family lately.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
week 3 post b
Letter to the main character:
Dear Crow,
I know that your best friend Bobby is mad at you right now. I know that soon he will forgive you and be ready to talk to you. Just know that people might not want to talk to you because some people just aren’t sure of what really happened that night so all you can do is tell the judge and the court that you for sure didn’t hurt Sophie that night. As for Sophie, I think that soon she will also talk about that night, sometime it will hit her as to what really happened (because she forgot) and then she will want to face you and talk to you. Everyone that knows you well will know that you didn’t commit the crime and you do know someone on the jury, so I’m sure that you will win the case. And you are also telling the truth, so you shouldn’t lose. Even though all of Sophie’s friends don’t like you, you don’t really need to talk to them or be friends with them anymore if they aren’t going to trust you. Trust is a thing you need to keep with your dad. Ask your dad for his trust because that’s what you really need to have. If your dad trusts you, you are for sure going to win the case because you need his support. You also need to the Sophie’s trust and try to make her trust you so that she will tell the truth about what really happened so you don’t have to go to jail!
Carly
Dear Crow,
I know that your best friend Bobby is mad at you right now. I know that soon he will forgive you and be ready to talk to you. Just know that people might not want to talk to you because some people just aren’t sure of what really happened that night so all you can do is tell the judge and the court that you for sure didn’t hurt Sophie that night. As for Sophie, I think that soon she will also talk about that night, sometime it will hit her as to what really happened (because she forgot) and then she will want to face you and talk to you. Everyone that knows you well will know that you didn’t commit the crime and you do know someone on the jury, so I’m sure that you will win the case. And you are also telling the truth, so you shouldn’t lose. Even though all of Sophie’s friends don’t like you, you don’t really need to talk to them or be friends with them anymore if they aren’t going to trust you. Trust is a thing you need to keep with your dad. Ask your dad for his trust because that’s what you really need to have. If your dad trusts you, you are for sure going to win the case because you need his support. You also need to the Sophie’s trust and try to make her trust you so that she will tell the truth about what really happened so you don’t have to go to jail!
Carly
week 3 post a
Vocab:
1. Hoax (pg. 95)- something intended to deceive or defraud; hoodwink
2. Azimuth (pg. 96) noun- The horizontal angular distance from a reference direction, usually the northern point of the horizon, to the point where a vertical circle through a celestial body intersects the horizon, usually measured clockwise. Sometimes the southern point is used as the reference direction, and the measurement is made clockwise through 360°
Theme:
Trust can be described in this book when Crow tells his dad that he didn't hurt Sophie.
Trust is needed in this situation, even though his dad doesn't trust him.
1. Hoax (pg. 95)- something intended to deceive or defraud; hoodwink
2. Azimuth (pg. 96) noun- The horizontal angular distance from a reference direction, usually the northern point of the horizon, to the point where a vertical circle through a celestial body intersects the horizon, usually measured clockwise. Sometimes the southern point is used as the reference direction, and the measurement is made clockwise through 360°
Theme:
Trust can be described in this book when Crow tells his dad that he didn't hurt Sophie.
Trust is needed in this situation, even though his dad doesn't trust him.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Debates
Political Debate: These occur on tv. The purpose is to get their ideas heard or to get more votes to win an election. It sometimes helps arrive at a better decision. The debate is structured, which allows the candidates to get the same amount of time making it unbiased.
School Debate: These occur in school. They allow people to get out their opinions and to persuade others. It's free from violence and it allows both sides to be productive. It can be either structured or unstructured. When it is structured everyone gets a chance to say what they want and if it us unstructured the teacher or one student would probably take over the debate.
School Debate: These occur in school. They allow people to get out their opinions and to persuade others. It's free from violence and it allows both sides to be productive. It can be either structured or unstructured. When it is structured everyone gets a chance to say what they want and if it us unstructured the teacher or one student would probably take over the debate.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
week 2 post b
Analyzing Crow is a hard thing to do in this story. Crow is a type of person that is a good kid, but sometimes just wants to have fun. Everyone in the neighborhood agrees that Crow should not be accused for hurting Sophie because everyone knows that Crow isn’t really even capable of committing such a crime. Everyone knew Crow from when he was a little kid, so many know him well. Crow has a lot of friends but he starts to drift from them after Sophie got hurt. Crow starts to hang out with his brother and try to have fun; however he can’t stop thinking about Sophie. I think that Crow is also a little confused because Carl isn’t even Crows real father; however even though they aren’t blood related Carl did raise Crow. Carl has always been Crows father figure. Crow also doesn’t like that his family is really wealthy because I don’t think Crow likes to have that ‘advantage’. He doesn’t really want to take up the family business or anything like that, so he doesn’t really like all that money either. Even though Crow loves his family, he doesn’t agree with them sometimes; especially Carl. Carl tries to change Crow (and Johnny Crow’s brother) into people they aren’t which can be tough on Crow a lot. Over all though I don’t think Crow will be punished for what happened to Sophie because he is a good person and he has never gotten in any big trouble before.
week 2 post a
vocab:
abeyance- (pg. 74)-noun: 1. Temporary in activity, cessation, or suspension. 2. a state or condition of real property in which title is not as yet vested in a known titleholder
fathomless- (pg. 80)-adjective: 1. impossible to measure the depth of; bottomless
2. impossible to understand; incomprehensible
quote:
'"It wasn't Crow," she had told her mother that morning.' (she is Sophie)
This quote is significant because it tells us that Sophie knows that Crow didn't do the crime. Even though Sophie isn't saying anything about what had happened to her, when she does she will tell the judge that Crow is innocent.
abeyance- (pg. 74)-noun: 1. Temporary in activity, cessation, or suspension. 2. a state or condition of real property in which title is not as yet vested in a known titleholder
fathomless- (pg. 80)-adjective: 1. impossible to measure the depth of; bottomless
2. impossible to understand; incomprehensible
quote:
'"It wasn't Crow," she had told her mother that morning.' (she is Sophie)
This quote is significant because it tells us that Sophie knows that Crow didn't do the crime. Even though Sophie isn't saying anything about what had happened to her, when she does she will tell the judge that Crow is innocent.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
week 1 post b
This first section of The Slow Moon is very eventful. “Don’t you hear something?” Sophie asked (pg. 1). This quote is significant to the story because when Crow and Sophie go down by the river near a party, Sophie thinks she hears something. Crow assures her there is nobody anywhere in the woods. When Crow leaves Sophie for a minute everything changes. He comes back to find her not there. The cops show up and they find Sophie beaten up and raped; with Crows dropped wallet near the scene of the crime. Of course Crow didn’t do this, but that’s not what the police think. This changes Crow’s whole life. I think that it would be very hard for Crow to get out of this because there was evidence and witnesses that he was in the woods with Sophie, whether it was when that happened to her or not. When Sophie is in the hospital, she refuses to speak to anyone about what happened, leaving Crow clueless. However, since Crow was being put on trial, he should have told the truth to his dad in the first place. Crow seems like an innocent guy, especially to the town judge’s son; who is his best friend. So even though Sophie had said that she heard something in the woods many times; Crow never looked into it so it got not only Sophie but himself in really big trouble. Even though Crow is Sophie’s boyfriend, it would occur to anyone who knows the evidence that Crow is guilty. He tries his hardest to tell the truth, but sadly nobody will believe him.
week 1 post a
Vocab:
1) Scuttled (pg. 5)-verb 1. to run with quick, hasty steps; scurry 2. a quick pace 3. a short hurried run
2) Spigot (pg. 9)- noun 1. a small peg or plug for stopping the vent of a cask 2. a faucet
Figurative Language:
"The creek widened, and from where they sat they heard water lap against the banks of sand and river foam." This is an example of imagery because when the author says this you can really imagine what it looks like
'"You worry about me because I'm not like you."' (Johnny says this) This is an example of irony because Johnny is Carl's actual blood-related son, unlike Crow. Carl thought that Johnny was going to be just like him, even though it turned out that Crow is more like Carl even though they aren't even blood related.
"She seems like someone in a movie," Crow says this about sophie because he thinks shes pretty. This is an example of a simile, because the sentence contains the word 'like'.
1) Scuttled (pg. 5)-verb 1. to run with quick, hasty steps; scurry 2. a quick pace 3. a short hurried run
2) Spigot (pg. 9)- noun 1. a small peg or plug for stopping the vent of a cask 2. a faucet
Figurative Language:
"The creek widened, and from where they sat they heard water lap against the banks of sand and river foam." This is an example of imagery because when the author says this you can really imagine what it looks like
'"You worry about me because I'm not like you."' (Johnny says this) This is an example of irony because Johnny is Carl's actual blood-related son, unlike Crow. Carl thought that Johnny was going to be just like him, even though it turned out that Crow is more like Carl even though they aren't even blood related.
"She seems like someone in a movie," Crow says this about sophie because he thinks shes pretty. This is an example of a simile, because the sentence contains the word 'like'.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Book Explanation
The Slow Moon by Elizabeth Cox
copyright 2006
fiction
300 pgs.
Evidence- this book is sort of a mystery story, and i think i will need to spend more time trying to understand and figure out this book.
I chose this book because someone recommended it to me. So i went to barnes and noble and i looked at a few books, but i think this one looked the most interesting.
copyright 2006
fiction
300 pgs.
Evidence- this book is sort of a mystery story, and i think i will need to spend more time trying to understand and figure out this book.
I chose this book because someone recommended it to me. So i went to barnes and noble and i looked at a few books, but i think this one looked the most interesting.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Sea Inside post 3
One scene in particular that they used camera angle to show meaning was when Ramon was lying in his bed talking to Julia. They used close-ups on Julia's and Ramon's faces to try to show that they are equal, even though he is quadriplegic. Also in the very beginning of the movie they do extreme close-ups of the ocean to show calmness which is a good introduction shot for this story because it has a lot to do with the ocean.
The Sea Inside post 2
The Sea Inside i think was a more eventful story than The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. In the DBATB, i didn't like how he told all these random stories from his past that didn't make sense to me. Also i didn't like how it told how he became a quadriplegic until the second to last chapter. In the sea inside it showed you how his accident happened many times so you could really understand everything better. The main characters in these stories were both quadriplegic, however, one wanted to die and the other didn't. Those are the two main differences. I think the Sea Inside is more powerful, probably just because i got to see it happen and not just visualize it.
The Sea Inside post 1
I didn't really like this movie at the beginning because i didn't really understand it. But towards the middle of the movie it made sense and i started to like it a lot. I think that Ramon does have a right to want to die because it is his own body and mind, however i only think this because he is a quadriplegic. I do think it is wrong to commit suicide obviously, but since he has been a quadriplegic for 27 years just lying in a bed i could see why he would want that. I do agree with the courts decision though, because they shouldn't just allow someone to die like that. I think that Ramon's friends should have maybe helped him to stay alive rather than help kill him.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Final Week Post 1
Chinese Cinderella
Adeline Yen Mah
Summary
At the beginning of summer break, Adeline got very very sick and had to be hospitalized. Mary Suen was the only one to visit her in the hospital. Then one time Adeline's father dropped in just when Mary was leaving so it proved that Adeline wasn't an orphan (that's what everyone at school thought). When she got better instead of going back to school she got to go home. She gets to see Ye Ye and Third Brother. Ye Ye is very sick and they don't know how long he will last. Third brother is just visiting, but he loved living in Shanghi because it is only him and Aunt Baba and the maids. Third brother will go to England in the fall to study though. Adeline also finds out that Big Sister had moved to Tianjin and she has a baby. Adeline vents to her brother about her problems. Ye Ye tries to inspire her and tell her she can do anything she wants with her life. Adeline decides to enter a complicated English playwriting competition. She titled her play Gone with the Locusts and dedicated it to Ye Ye. Adeline had skipped many grades in school and she wrote letters to Father and Niang begging them to send her to England with Third Brother. Adeline is playing basketball with some friends one day and then someone tells her her chauffeur is there to take her to the Buddhist temple because Ye Ye has died. Adeline was the only one upset and crying at his funeral. Niang tells Adeline to get a job because Father doesn't wanna pay for her anymore. Adeline gets instructions to go home again and her Father is there and being nice to her. He tells her she has won the writing contest and her name was in the news paper. She won money and a trophy. Father tells her she can go to England with Third Brother as long as she becomes a doctor-she agreed. Aunt Baba writes Adeline a final letter.
Adeline Yen Mah
Summary
At the beginning of summer break, Adeline got very very sick and had to be hospitalized. Mary Suen was the only one to visit her in the hospital. Then one time Adeline's father dropped in just when Mary was leaving so it proved that Adeline wasn't an orphan (that's what everyone at school thought). When she got better instead of going back to school she got to go home. She gets to see Ye Ye and Third Brother. Ye Ye is very sick and they don't know how long he will last. Third brother is just visiting, but he loved living in Shanghi because it is only him and Aunt Baba and the maids. Third brother will go to England in the fall to study though. Adeline also finds out that Big Sister had moved to Tianjin and she has a baby. Adeline vents to her brother about her problems. Ye Ye tries to inspire her and tell her she can do anything she wants with her life. Adeline decides to enter a complicated English playwriting competition. She titled her play Gone with the Locusts and dedicated it to Ye Ye. Adeline had skipped many grades in school and she wrote letters to Father and Niang begging them to send her to England with Third Brother. Adeline is playing basketball with some friends one day and then someone tells her her chauffeur is there to take her to the Buddhist temple because Ye Ye has died. Adeline was the only one upset and crying at his funeral. Niang tells Adeline to get a job because Father doesn't wanna pay for her anymore. Adeline gets instructions to go home again and her Father is there and being nice to her. He tells her she has won the writing contest and her name was in the news paper. She won money and a trophy. Father tells her she can go to England with Third Brother as long as she becomes a doctor-she agreed. Aunt Baba writes Adeline a final letter.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
outside reading week 5 post 2
Summary:
They arrive to a cruise ship to bring them to Hong Kong. In the room on the ship, there were only two beds and then a cot on the floor. Adeline assumed the cot was hers, but to make it equal they gave Adeline the bed for once. Adeline couldn't believe that her aunt and cousin could be so much more nice than her own parents. When Niang and Father are waiting for their arrival, Adeline gets nervous to see them. Niang and Father didn't even notice or acknowledge her once when they saw everyone. When they all arrive at the apartment, Adeline is surprised to find Ye Ye waiting for her and she is so happy to see him. Victor ( adeline's cousin) really likes to play with her and he wonders why she is always treated so unfairly by her parents. Ye Ye makes Adeline read the newspaper to him because he can't really see anymore, but she has forgotten how to speak Chinese. Most people speak English where Adeline had lived. Ye Ye teaches her all about the symbols and words in Chinese. Adeline didn't mind getting left behind, because that meant she didn't have to be around Niang. When the whole family goes on an outing, Niang purposly leaves Adeline at home, but Victor wanted to play with her so he stood up to Niang and said he would rather be with Adeline. Adeline was so thankful for that that she gave Victor her paper magic book that she loved. Fourth brother tries to hurt Ye Ye so he actually dies, but Ye Ye ended up not even getting hurt. Adeline moves into a boarding school and she hates how nobody visits her there at all. Adeline makes two friends who also had family problems, who were the only three left at the school over summer break. Then the other two left, leaving Adeline all by herself for the whole summer at boarding school.
Reactions:
I think it was a good change for Adeline to be accepted by her Aunt and cousins. I’m glad that she also got to see Ye Ye again because she assumed that she wouldn’t when she left for Tianjin. I feel bad that Adeline can never have any visitors at boarding school, because she would be so happy if Aunt Baba or Ye Ye visited her. Or even if somebody wrote her a letter she would be so happy. I’m glad that Adeline because friends with Victor, because when Victor stood up for her it made her feel great inside which she never felt. It’s sad that Adeline gets made fun of so much in school because it’s not her fault. She can’t control how her parents treat her. She only has one dress to wear on the weekends and its two sizes too small. I predict that one day Adeline will stand up to her parents and then run away from them so that they really don’t have to care about her anymore. She will study hard and get a good job and grow up better than her parents did. But for now, Adeline will have to keep studying hard until she can go out on her own.
They arrive to a cruise ship to bring them to Hong Kong. In the room on the ship, there were only two beds and then a cot on the floor. Adeline assumed the cot was hers, but to make it equal they gave Adeline the bed for once. Adeline couldn't believe that her aunt and cousin could be so much more nice than her own parents. When Niang and Father are waiting for their arrival, Adeline gets nervous to see them. Niang and Father didn't even notice or acknowledge her once when they saw everyone. When they all arrive at the apartment, Adeline is surprised to find Ye Ye waiting for her and she is so happy to see him. Victor ( adeline's cousin) really likes to play with her and he wonders why she is always treated so unfairly by her parents. Ye Ye makes Adeline read the newspaper to him because he can't really see anymore, but she has forgotten how to speak Chinese. Most people speak English where Adeline had lived. Ye Ye teaches her all about the symbols and words in Chinese. Adeline didn't mind getting left behind, because that meant she didn't have to be around Niang. When the whole family goes on an outing, Niang purposly leaves Adeline at home, but Victor wanted to play with her so he stood up to Niang and said he would rather be with Adeline. Adeline was so thankful for that that she gave Victor her paper magic book that she loved. Fourth brother tries to hurt Ye Ye so he actually dies, but Ye Ye ended up not even getting hurt. Adeline moves into a boarding school and she hates how nobody visits her there at all. Adeline makes two friends who also had family problems, who were the only three left at the school over summer break. Then the other two left, leaving Adeline all by herself for the whole summer at boarding school.
Reactions:
I think it was a good change for Adeline to be accepted by her Aunt and cousins. I’m glad that she also got to see Ye Ye again because she assumed that she wouldn’t when she left for Tianjin. I feel bad that Adeline can never have any visitors at boarding school, because she would be so happy if Aunt Baba or Ye Ye visited her. Or even if somebody wrote her a letter she would be so happy. I’m glad that Adeline because friends with Victor, because when Victor stood up for her it made her feel great inside which she never felt. It’s sad that Adeline gets made fun of so much in school because it’s not her fault. She can’t control how her parents treat her. She only has one dress to wear on the weekends and its two sizes too small. I predict that one day Adeline will stand up to her parents and then run away from them so that they really don’t have to care about her anymore. She will study hard and get a good job and grow up better than her parents did. But for now, Adeline will have to keep studying hard until she can go out on her own.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
outside reading week 4 post 2
Adeline gets nominated for class president at her school. One of her biggest competitors is Chen Lei-Lei. Adeline' s friend Wu Chun-Mei asks Adeline if she can go to her house again, which frightens Adeline because Niang has a rule that she can't go to friends houses. The next day at school Adeline gets the most votes and is elected class president. After school that day, a group of her friends had followed her home without her knowing. The girls come into Adeline's house and refuse to leave without seeing her. Niang talks to Adeline and yells and slaps her commanding to get her friends out. Niang and Father then decide that her Aunt Baba is a bad influence on her, so they will fly her out to Tianjin to live in an orphanage. Adeline is horrified not only because she can't be with her Aunt Baba and grandfather Ye Ye, but there is a civil war going on in China and the Communists are taking it over slowly but surely. When Adeline came back from school the next day her bag was packed and she was forced to say her good-byes. On the airplane, Adeline's Father must fill out an information sheet for her, and he doesn't even know her name! He also doesn't know her birthday; but she didn't either. So her Father decided to say that her birthday was November 30th ten years earlier. This was also his birthday. Niang's brother meets them at the airport. Adeline gets dropped off and left at a boarding school. She hates it there and she is very very lonely. All the students slowly left the school (because of the war) until Adeline was the only one left. One day Niang's sister surprisingly showed up and took her to stay with them in Taiwan, which Adeline was thankful for.
outside reading week 4 post 1
Chinese Cinderella pg. 115-116 " At school, I had been so careful to pretend I came from a loving family. Now they knew the pathetic truth! Unwanted and unloved by my own parents! How long did it take for a person to die of shame?"
This quote is definitely significant to show the tone of this book. At school, Adeline excels more than any other student and school is her favorite place to be. At home, she is unwanted and unloved. When Adeline is elected as the school president, her friends follow her home from school to her house. Adeline isn't allowed to go to friend's homes or have friends at her house. Niang yells at Adeline and slaps her across the face multiple times. Niang orders Adeline's friends to be kicked out. After her friends quietly leave, Niang and Father inform her that she is moving back to Tianjin by herself to go live in an orphanage.
When Niang treats Adeline this way it didn't really surprise me because that is how she is always treated. Adeline gets accused of doing everything wrong, even when she doesn't do anything. Adeline is completely unwanted by all of her family except her aunt Baba and grandfather Ye Ye, and this quote really explains that.
This quote is definitely significant to show the tone of this book. At school, Adeline excels more than any other student and school is her favorite place to be. At home, she is unwanted and unloved. When Adeline is elected as the school president, her friends follow her home from school to her house. Adeline isn't allowed to go to friend's homes or have friends at her house. Niang yells at Adeline and slaps her across the face multiple times. Niang orders Adeline's friends to be kicked out. After her friends quietly leave, Niang and Father inform her that she is moving back to Tianjin by herself to go live in an orphanage.
When Niang treats Adeline this way it didn't really surprise me because that is how she is always treated. Adeline gets accused of doing everything wrong, even when she doesn't do anything. Adeline is completely unwanted by all of her family except her aunt Baba and grandfather Ye Ye, and this quote really explains that.
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly-oct 8 homework
The memoir The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was a very interesting story. I thought it was really intriguing that this man who has “locked-in-syndrome” was able to compose a book by blinking an eye. Even though this story had many great qualities, it was hard to understand sometimes.
A reason why I liked this book was because Bauby used many loaded words to describe to the reader how he was truly feeling. He allows the reader to experience his pain and joys through all of his encounters in life. I also liked how we got to hear a lot about his past stories and how he use to live. For example when he went on the trip with Josephine, I liked hearing about where they had gone in Lourdes. Another thing I liked about this book was Bauby’s hope. Even though he would be “locked-in” forever he still had hope that someday he would be able to swallow food better or to speak.
Parts I didn’t like about this book were when his mind would go into butterfly mode, but I was still thinking his mind was at Berck. Whenever he was drifting into a moment from the past I wouldn’t realize it at first so I would have to go back and re-read a little. Also, sometimes when he was telling a story I wouldn’t understand what he was talking about at all like in the chapter “The Empress”. I had to re-read that part also to find out what he was describing.
Overall I did like this book, because I think Bauby describes his situation well so the reader can visualize it. For this book to become possible I know it must have taken a lot of patience but it was worth it because I’m sure a lot of people enjoyed it a lot like I did.
A reason why I liked this book was because Bauby used many loaded words to describe to the reader how he was truly feeling. He allows the reader to experience his pain and joys through all of his encounters in life. I also liked how we got to hear a lot about his past stories and how he use to live. For example when he went on the trip with Josephine, I liked hearing about where they had gone in Lourdes. Another thing I liked about this book was Bauby’s hope. Even though he would be “locked-in” forever he still had hope that someday he would be able to swallow food better or to speak.
Parts I didn’t like about this book were when his mind would go into butterfly mode, but I was still thinking his mind was at Berck. Whenever he was drifting into a moment from the past I wouldn’t realize it at first so I would have to go back and re-read a little. Also, sometimes when he was telling a story I wouldn’t understand what he was talking about at all like in the chapter “The Empress”. I had to re-read that part also to find out what he was describing.
Overall I did like this book, because I think Bauby describes his situation well so the reader can visualize it. For this book to become possible I know it must have taken a lot of patience but it was worth it because I’m sure a lot of people enjoyed it a lot like I did.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Week 3 part 2
In the beginning of this book Adeline is very young and she is wondering what happened to her mom. Her family told her that she died while giving birth to her four years earlier. Her sister tells her everyone thinks she is unlucky because of this. Adeline has 6 other siblings and she has a very wealthy family. She has a stepmom named Niang who is very mean to the children that aren't "hers" because she has two kids of her own. When the family has to move to Shanghi everything changes. There are even more rules and demands from Niang and Father. The five children plot against Niang but she figures it out so she starts to spoil Big Sister (their leader). Adeline feels like she has nobody to talk to except her Aunt Baba, until she gets a baby duckling for a pet (named PLT). When PLT gets eaten by Niang's dog, Adeline can't contain her sadness. Big Sister gets an arranged marriage from Niang and goes on her honeymoon. Adeline is very scared that Niang will do this to her. Adeline lies to Niang so her father beats her and separates Adeline from Aunt Baba.
I think Adeline describes her emotions really well in this book. She makes me picture what it would be like to be in her shoes. This book is well written but sometimes it moves really fast and i don't know what point it is in her life (like what age she is). I think that Niang, her step mom, sounds really mean and she isn't really a mother at all. Aunt Baba is kind of like Adeline's mother in the fact that she actually cares about her and wants to even know her. I can't relate this book to my life because my family doesn't act like hers. I predict that Adeline will soon stand up to Niang to try to get the respect she deserves.
I think Adeline describes her emotions really well in this book. She makes me picture what it would be like to be in her shoes. This book is well written but sometimes it moves really fast and i don't know what point it is in her life (like what age she is). I think that Niang, her step mom, sounds really mean and she isn't really a mother at all. Aunt Baba is kind of like Adeline's mother in the fact that she actually cares about her and wants to even know her. I can't relate this book to my life because my family doesn't act like hers. I predict that Adeline will soon stand up to Niang to try to get the respect she deserves.
Week 3 part 1
Adeline Yen Mah2) The author of this book, Adeline Yen Mah, was born in Tianjin, China. Her mother had died while giving birth to her, so her family frowned upon her. She grew up with 6 other siblings, her Father, stepmom Niang, her Aunt Baba and her grandfather. Her family was very wealthy but Adeline didn't get to really experience it because she was almost always ignored or treated badly by her family. At age 14 she won an international writing competition in Hong Kong and moved to London, England soon after. She finished college in England and because a physician. Adeline is now married with two kids, living in Huntington Beach, CA and London, England.
Sources: http://www.uspaacc.com/honorees/adeline_yen_mah.htm
http://www.adelineyenmah.com/falling.html
Chinese Cinderella (the book)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
sept 30 memoir post 2
Loaded words
cringe-pg. 37 (-)
loathe-pg. 40 (-)
endless-pg. 44 (-)
intolerable-pg. 44 (-)
slimy-pg. 44 (-)
terror-pg. 46 (-)
extraordinary-pg. 47 (+)
favored-pg. 49 (+)
credible-pg. 50 (0)
aggressive-pg. 50 (-)
Summary
Adeline, Big sister, Big brother, second brother, and third brother are very angry with how their family works, because of their stepmom Niang and her favored children (fourth brother and little sister). Niang realizes this so then she starts to favor Big sister. Adeline keeps excelling in school and is starting to make some new friends. When father, Niang, big sister, little sister, and fourth brother go away for about three months, the other children decide to rebel and do whatever they want.
Reactions
I think its strange how big sister has all of a sudden been favored, just so the other kids won't have a leader. Niang is a very mean mother because she doesn't really care about her children (other than those three). I also don't like that father doesn't even pay attention to any of the kids so he lets Niang make all the rules.
cringe-pg. 37 (-)
loathe-pg. 40 (-)
endless-pg. 44 (-)
intolerable-pg. 44 (-)
slimy-pg. 44 (-)
terror-pg. 46 (-)
extraordinary-pg. 47 (+)
favored-pg. 49 (+)
credible-pg. 50 (0)
aggressive-pg. 50 (-)
Summary
Adeline, Big sister, Big brother, second brother, and third brother are very angry with how their family works, because of their stepmom Niang and her favored children (fourth brother and little sister). Niang realizes this so then she starts to favor Big sister. Adeline keeps excelling in school and is starting to make some new friends. When father, Niang, big sister, little sister, and fourth brother go away for about three months, the other children decide to rebel and do whatever they want.
Reactions
I think its strange how big sister has all of a sudden been favored, just so the other kids won't have a leader. Niang is a very mean mother because she doesn't really care about her children (other than those three). I also don't like that father doesn't even pay attention to any of the kids so he lets Niang make all the rules.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
sept 27 outside reading post 1
My book: Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah
Adeline is in kindergarten in China and she does very well in school and gets many awards for that. Her mom died while giving birth to her so her whole family treats her really bad and they blame her. She now has a stepmother named Niang since she was 1 years old. She lives in a French part of town and goes to a French school. She really likes school because she feels like she belongs there. One day her father goes missing, two weeks later Niang and her son also go missing. Adeline's grandma Nai Nai then dies from a stroke and there is a funeral held for her. All of the family is then taken by train to Shanghai, and they found out that Father and Niang have been living there and have a house there. Adeline goes to school and when school is over, nobody comes to pick her up, so she has to wander the streets of Shanghai trying to get home. She is only in first grade now. She finally remembered her new phone number so she was able to call her father to come and get her. Nobody really watches after Adeline but her Aunt Baba.
I think that it would be hard to keep track of adeline, because there are a total of 7 kids in their family. However they purposely don't take care of her because they blame her for the mother dying which is really sad. Eventually, i think that Adeline (who is also called fifth daughter) will learn to take care of herself.
Adeline is in kindergarten in China and she does very well in school and gets many awards for that. Her mom died while giving birth to her so her whole family treats her really bad and they blame her. She now has a stepmother named Niang since she was 1 years old. She lives in a French part of town and goes to a French school. She really likes school because she feels like she belongs there. One day her father goes missing, two weeks later Niang and her son also go missing. Adeline's grandma Nai Nai then dies from a stroke and there is a funeral held for her. All of the family is then taken by train to Shanghai, and they found out that Father and Niang have been living there and have a house there. Adeline goes to school and when school is over, nobody comes to pick her up, so she has to wander the streets of Shanghai trying to get home. She is only in first grade now. She finally remembered her new phone number so she was able to call her father to come and get her. Nobody really watches after Adeline but her Aunt Baba.
I think that it would be hard to keep track of adeline, because there are a total of 7 kids in their family. However they purposely don't take care of her because they blame her for the mother dying which is really sad. Eventually, i think that Adeline (who is also called fifth daughter) will learn to take care of herself.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
this i believe sept 18 homework
1. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7572601
2. Wayne Coyne
3. Creating Our Own Happiness
4. I believe we have the power to create our own happiness. I believe the real magic in the world is done by humans.
5. He saw a couple out in the cold that looked poor, he instantly gave them pity but realized that they were laughing and then he decided that they had the power to make themselves happy.
When Wayne worked at a fast food place he hated it and then realized that he had the power to be happy and to make it a good job because he could dream about what his life could become.
6. I believe this is something all of us can do: Try to be happy within the context of the life we are actually living. Happiness is not a situation to be longed for or a convergence of lucky happenstance.
2. Wayne Coyne
3. Creating Our Own Happiness
4. I believe we have the power to create our own happiness. I believe the real magic in the world is done by humans.
5. He saw a couple out in the cold that looked poor, he instantly gave them pity but realized that they were laughing and then he decided that they had the power to make themselves happy.
When Wayne worked at a fast food place he hated it and then realized that he had the power to be happy and to make it a good job because he could dream about what his life could become.
6. I believe this is something all of us can do: Try to be happy within the context of the life we are actually living. Happiness is not a situation to be longed for or a convergence of lucky happenstance.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
sept 5 homework
The thing I am most anxious about at EHS is homework. Last year since we had a-days and b-days we had more time to do the homework. This year we get more homework and less time to do it, so i hope i get everything turned in on time!
One goal for myself in my sophmore year is to get good grades. I think it's important to get good grades this year to help get into a good college and to prove to myself that i am capable of getting good grades.
One goal for myself in my sophmore year is to get good grades. I think it's important to get good grades this year to help get into a good college and to prove to myself that i am capable of getting good grades.
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