Mirror

This week we read the poem "Mirror," which focused on self reflection and self discovery. Through the author's use of personification and imagery, we can see that how one view of them self changes and it takes self discovery to accept those changes. The occasion of this poem is growing of age and it is told from the perspective of the women, through the faithful mirror. I think this poem is very relatable because as we age as high school seniors we begin to discover ourselves and realize who we have become. A mirror does not lie, it tells the truth even if we don't want to see it. Similarly, high school also tells the truth. It reveals flaws and hard times, yet with each of these lies or flaws a person grows stronger. Indeed, with time we become more confident and content with our life and the poem, "Mirror," makes one ponder these inevitable thoughts.

Food, INC

This week in Nutrition we are watching a movie titled, "Food, INC." It is a very disturbing, yet powerful movie that gives its viewers a reality check. It reveals the secrets and the reality of our food industry, which has turned into food factories with several companies controlling the business. Personally I was shocked and disgusted with the way we treat the animals and how everything has become so industrialized and inhumane. After watching part of the movie, I am ready to help out the food industry in the little ways I can. For instance, my family buys local grown fruits and vegetables and they are delivered to our house, instead of buying artificially ripened food from huge supermarkets. In addition, I encourage my mom to buy only organic, free range chicken, to support proper treatment of animals. I really hope other people step on board and start making a difference because the reality of food factories is not only hurting our health and animals health, but it is harming the environment.

What We are Capable of

Today I settle down to finish my homework, so I can head up to Tahoe tomorrow to get one last day of skiing in before lacrosse season starts. As I cherish these last few days of relaxation, I realize how close we are to the end of the semester. On Monday lacrosse begins and my days become longer and I become more tired. I am excited to reunite with my team and I look forward to how our season turns out, yet I cannot help but miss those former, calm, relaxing days. Tomorrow I am heading up to Tahoe for a ski day trip with my brother and dad. I am looking forward to spending time with my family and having an awesome day of skiing.

This week in class we talked about essay topics based on the question, "what are we capable of and under what circumstances?" I have struggled to find a topic, and while I was playing lacrosse with some friends the other day, my topic hit me. I realized no one would be where they are today if it weren't for the setting and surroundings they were placed in. Therefore, our surroundings dictate some of our potential. In Heart of Darkness the setting plays a major role in the plot and the description of the characters emotions.

Diction

This week we focused on the diction present in poetry. I realized diction plays a large role in the tone, theme and perception of each individual poem. Moreover, I began to construct the bridge between poetry and reality. In other words I saw how the lessons we learned through poetry can be transfered to other aspects of life. To take this case in point, a persons word choice, or diction says a lot about their character. It can determine which region ones from, their social background and their values. Although, I personally need to expand my vocabulary, I still believe it is vital to use words that reflect ones intelligence. For instance, I think saying like every few words sounds awful and diminishes ones intelligence level slightly.

Strength

Heart of Darkness explores the Belgian colonization of the Congo and the division of power and strength between the different people. Conrad stated that "your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others" (7). Although I agree with this phrase, I think strength is more than an accident. If one desires something, they will work for it with a purpose in their mind. However, I also agree with Conrad because one's strength comes from the comparison to others who are weak. In other words one looks strong in the eyes of someone else and develops their strength through others weakness. In some ways this can be compared to high school. For example, during soccer tryouts a few players may look very good, or strong in comparison to the rest of the players. The strength of those soccer players came from the weakness of the other players.

"The Scream"

We began this semester like we did the last, with a painting. The paintings we have examined have left room for interpretation and they can express numerous feelings. I believe if we looked at this painting, "The Scream" last semester we would have had different thoughts running through our minds. I would've felt lost in the college process, scared, yet excited for what comes next. Although, I still feel excited for the future, I don't feel lost, rather I am content and ready for the next phase in my life. I believe the figure in the painting, "The Scream" is surprised, yet she is being succumbed into the vast, black river. This week in class we also began to discuss the Tragedy of the Belgian Congo and Kind Leopold. I think the inhabitants of the former Democratic Republic of Congo could relate to this painting because their land became the personal property of King Leopold. In a way the inhabitants became swept up into the black river of colonialism and they were shocked at what was occurring.

Another Step on the Football Field

I wonder if I will still sit at the children's table during family dinners? I wonder how my first voting session will go? I wonder if people are going to see me differently?

This week I turned eighteen. This birthday is one of the biggest birthdays. Your responsibilities and privileges are opened up, you can buy a lottery ticket, you can vote, you can do so much more. However, as I turned into an adult I could not help thinking about how old I am and how weird it was that I was officially not a child. Although I do not feel like an adult, it is certainly strange to say I am one. When I turn a year older, I get to step forward onto another dash on the football field. When you look at life from the 18th yard line, it does not seem very different than life from the 17th yard line. However, mentally a step forward means another step in life towards that big unknown goal. This blog is very timely, for it is the last one of the semester. Wow, that is weird to say. Our last blog of the first semester, time really does fly. I'm an adult and senior year is half way over, I am in shock. In the final blog of the semester I want to say something really cool, something that will stand out, yet the simple things like birthdays can be really cool. Instead of pondering on what I should have done I am going to recap the highlights of this semester:

1. I read 7 new books this semester

2. I have finished all my standardized testing and applications

3. I have gotten into 2 colleges

4. I have traveled to Arizona for lacrosse

5. I have met new people

6. I have made the best of the last, first semester of high school