Miesha: "My Talent is Perseverance"
*What is your talent/gift?
*What are you going to do with it?
*Compare your talent with Miesha's
Literary Connection: Jesus' Parable of the Talents NOTE: In ancient times, a measure of gold was called a talent: There once was a master and he had three servants. He goes on a trip and gives gold to each of them. The first one spends it having a good time; the second one purchases a rug in the market place. The third one goes out into the fields and buries it. When the master returns, he asks them what they did with the gold. The first one says, "I spent it and had a great time with my friends." The master says, "Very Good." The second one says, "I purchased a rug in the marketplace." The master says, "Very Good." The third one says, "Master, you will be most proud of me! I buried it in the fields and here it is!" The master beats him and sends him out of his house.
What do you think is Jesus' point? What lesson does he teach and how does it connect to you and Miesha? How does this story work on more than one level?
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I want to be challenged as much as possible. I want to learn as much as I can to be well prepared to go to a reputable college. I like to be in challenging academic environments with motivated students who value their education as much as I do. I like to have excellent teachers who care about their students’ education and will serve as an inspiration and role model for their students. I want to grow academically in every way possible.
As an academic student, my talent is my study habits and strong work ethic. If there is a topic in class that I do not grasp right away, I will study repeatedly until I fully understand the topic. I don’t care how much of my week is taken up by homework, because the longer and more often you study, the better grades you will earn. I am a hard worker and will do what ever it takes to get the job done. I always try to the best of my ability to invest quality time in doing my homework, because I know in the long run it will pay big dividends. My peers can always be assured that if they ask me to do something, they can count on me.
As a person, my major strength is my heart for others. I am very compassionate toward all people. I also have a big heart for animals. I always try to put others before myself. My compassion for others is something that my parents have always stressed to me. They constantly remind me how blessed I am to live in a great, free country with a high standard of living. Because we are so blessed, we should be ever mindful of those less fortunate than ourselves. I have tried hard in my life to internalize this lesson, and now I believe it is a major strength in my character.
As a person, my major weakness is that I can be introverted when I am in a new social place where I don’t feel comfortable. I should be used to situations in which I am in new places because I move around a lot (every two years) as an Army officer’s daughter. Unfortunately, it is evident that I am not used to it. Once I get to know the place and the people, I am not shy at all and am very outgoing. I really would like to be extroverted when I am in new social places where I don’t feel comfortable. I think being able to start making new friends instantly in a new place is an extraordinary quality to have. I hope in my near future to gain that quality because I feel it is a wonderful gift to have.
I plan to use my work ethic and compassion to help protect the Wild Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. It would be nice to borrow some of Miesha’s perseverance to get legal authority to force laws regarding the total number of tour vessels permitted to enter dolphin resting areas. With the combination of my compassion and Miesha’s perseverance, I am sure enforcement of laws would take place to quell tour disturbance and prevent the change of the dolphins’ natural behavior. I could also use my compassion and work ethic to be a teacher. I would like to teach 8th grade English or Biology. I would teach my best and provide the children with a good learning environment.
I respect Miesha’s talent of perseverance much more than I respect my own talent. Miesha has gone through so many more hard times than I have, which makes her perseverance so much more noteworthy. I think Miesha’s rough life is what forced Miesha to gain her talent of perseverance.
I think the parable is trying to stress that not taking advantage of your talent is selfish and wasteful. The parable is saying that it is foolish to not use the talents we are given. Our talent is our gift. Not using our gift is indirectly throwing away so many opportunities. This connects to my talent because letting my compassion for the dolphins shine raises awareness for other people to be concerned about. If Miesha would have buried her perseverance, she would have never been the woman she is today.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Symbolism of Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird By: Harper Lee
(To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is my favorite book. I first read it in the eighth grade and have loved it ever since. To Kill a Mockingbird is the first book that made me appreciate symbolism. The mockingbird is my most loved symbol in all the literature I have read. Before I explain the symbolism of the mockingbird, it is necessary to explain the mockingbird theme.)
The main theme of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the mockingbird theme. The mockingbird theme is first introduced when Atticus tells Jem and Scout that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because humans have an unfair advantage over them. The children do not understand what Atticus means so they ask Miss. Maudie. She replies: “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, they don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Throughout the novel, there are many occurrences where the mockingbird theme appears. One example is when Scout wanted to mash a roly poly bug and Jem told her not to “because they don’t bother you”. The roly poly bug symbolizes the mockingbird theme because like the roly poly, the mockingbird does not bother you so there is no reason to hurt it.
Tom Robinson is also symbolic of the mockingbird theme because even though he is innocent, just like the mockingbirds, he still gets killed. To kill an innocent man is as senseless as killing a mockingbird. The white men have an unfair advantage over Tom because he is black. Even though it is obvious to the whole town that Tom is not guilty, he still is found guilty because he is black and if the whites let him free, that gives up their power over the blacks. When Tom is shot in the back, this is a perfect example of the mockingbird theme. Someone who was innocent was tragically killed because of racial prejudice.
Another character who is symbolic of the mockingbird theme is Arthur Radley (Boo). He also was an innocent man who never harmed anyone and only tried to do what was right and good for others. An example of this was when Heck Tate discovered that it was really Boo who killed Mr. Ewell; Tate wanted to lie and say that Mr. Ewell killed himself by falling on his knife. Tate didn’t want people to know what really happened because if the town people find out that Boo was the one who killed Mr. Ewell this would bring attention to Boo and the attention would bring harm to Boo and possibly result in another trial. Tate tells Atticus that: “takin’ the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight – to me, that’s a sin”. In other words, Boo did Atticus a favor by saving his kids and he doesn’t want Boo to be charged with Ewell’s murder. Scout simply replies: “It’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird.
Therefore, the roly poly bug, Tom and Boo are symbols of the mockingbird theme of the story.
***Aunty Lisa, I couldn't figure out how underline book titles on my post. So please just pretend the book title is underlined! :) Thank you!
The main theme of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the mockingbird theme. The mockingbird theme is first introduced when Atticus tells Jem and Scout that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because humans have an unfair advantage over them. The children do not understand what Atticus means so they ask Miss. Maudie. She replies: “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, they don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Throughout the novel, there are many occurrences where the mockingbird theme appears. One example is when Scout wanted to mash a roly poly bug and Jem told her not to “because they don’t bother you”. The roly poly bug symbolizes the mockingbird theme because like the roly poly, the mockingbird does not bother you so there is no reason to hurt it.
Tom Robinson is also symbolic of the mockingbird theme because even though he is innocent, just like the mockingbirds, he still gets killed. To kill an innocent man is as senseless as killing a mockingbird. The white men have an unfair advantage over Tom because he is black. Even though it is obvious to the whole town that Tom is not guilty, he still is found guilty because he is black and if the whites let him free, that gives up their power over the blacks. When Tom is shot in the back, this is a perfect example of the mockingbird theme. Someone who was innocent was tragically killed because of racial prejudice.
Another character who is symbolic of the mockingbird theme is Arthur Radley (Boo). He also was an innocent man who never harmed anyone and only tried to do what was right and good for others. An example of this was when Heck Tate discovered that it was really Boo who killed Mr. Ewell; Tate wanted to lie and say that Mr. Ewell killed himself by falling on his knife. Tate didn’t want people to know what really happened because if the town people find out that Boo was the one who killed Mr. Ewell this would bring attention to Boo and the attention would bring harm to Boo and possibly result in another trial. Tate tells Atticus that: “takin’ the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight – to me, that’s a sin”. In other words, Boo did Atticus a favor by saving his kids and he doesn’t want Boo to be charged with Ewell’s murder. Scout simply replies: “It’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird.
Therefore, the roly poly bug, Tom and Boo are symbols of the mockingbird theme of the story.
***Aunty Lisa, I couldn't figure out how underline book titles on my post. So please just pretend the book title is underlined! :) Thank you!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
And Still We Rise Assignment 2
After reading this book review, I feel like I am going to enjoy this book very much. I have heard from all my classmates about what a good book this is. I will like this book because it has to deal with some of the things we have been talking about in my APGOV class. This book is expected to be very eye opening to me. I am not very aware of the public school system in South Central, La, so this book will teach me a lot. Honestly, I never read book reviews before buying a book. I usually just go by word of mouth. Sometimes I read the reviews of the book on the inside cover, but that is about it. This prompt makes me rethink my ways. I will start to look for reviews before I start on a long book. I really liked reading the book review Aunty provided for us because it got me excited to start the book. It gave me a preview of what I might take away from the book. I got to read what kind of effect it had on someone else before I started to read it. If my good friend tells me about a good book, then chances are I go check it out. My friends and I have similar book taste, so I usually enjoy their picks. The only problem with that is that it locks me into one genre. I will start reading book reviews to branch out in my reading choices!
And Still We Rise Assignment 1
My school is called Mililani High School. From the very start of my first day at Mililani, to where I am sitting right now, I have been thinking that there is just something special about this school that makes it stand out from the other nine schools I have attended. In my opinion, my school stands out from the others in three ways. First, I have outstanding teachers who try to the best of their abilities to prepare me for high school. Secondly, the atmosphere of the school feels like a “small town”. Last but not least, my school stands out because of my awesome classmates who make coming to school such a pleasure.
One might be thinking, what makes Mililani’s teachers stand out so much more than others schools’ teachers? Well, it is pretty simple. Mililani’s teachers not only excel in teaching each student the rigors of academics, but they also strive to get to know the student as a person, not just as a test score. My teachers truly care about my education as well as important aspects of my personal life.
One also might be wondering what make the atmosphere at my school so much better than the other schools. It does not feel like a home in a big city where you barely know your neighbors; it feels more like a small town where everyone is treated like family. If I had to explain Mililani’s atmosphere in three words, they would be safe, friendly, and nurturing.
More than anything, I think my peers at my school standout like no other. I really admire how they all work together to succeed. Almost everyone has a great attitude towards education and has set high goals for a higher standard of life. My peers at Mililani are the kind of people with whom I want to be life-long friends. Knowing full well that as an “Army brat” I will move again, my friends at Mililani will always be a part of my life.
Overall, my school truly stands out among all others. Words cannot express the devotion I have to my school and the gratitude I have for my teachers, my environment, and my classmates. My future will be a reflection of my year spent at Mililani and the positive impact it has had upon me. Thus, I am sure my future will be brighter due to my outstanding experiences at Mililani School.
Unfortunately, not every high school is like this. For example, the students at Crenshaw High School have to wake up every morning scared of the violence they may run into at school. Drugs, alcohol, and violence are their everyday lifestyle at school. Comparing Mililani High School and Crenshaw high school is like comparing a prison to a shopping mall. There are no similarities between the two schools. The only thing they have in common are students who want to succeed!
One might be thinking, what makes Mililani’s teachers stand out so much more than others schools’ teachers? Well, it is pretty simple. Mililani’s teachers not only excel in teaching each student the rigors of academics, but they also strive to get to know the student as a person, not just as a test score. My teachers truly care about my education as well as important aspects of my personal life.
One also might be wondering what make the atmosphere at my school so much better than the other schools. It does not feel like a home in a big city where you barely know your neighbors; it feels more like a small town where everyone is treated like family. If I had to explain Mililani’s atmosphere in three words, they would be safe, friendly, and nurturing.
More than anything, I think my peers at my school standout like no other. I really admire how they all work together to succeed. Almost everyone has a great attitude towards education and has set high goals for a higher standard of life. My peers at Mililani are the kind of people with whom I want to be life-long friends. Knowing full well that as an “Army brat” I will move again, my friends at Mililani will always be a part of my life.
Overall, my school truly stands out among all others. Words cannot express the devotion I have to my school and the gratitude I have for my teachers, my environment, and my classmates. My future will be a reflection of my year spent at Mililani and the positive impact it has had upon me. Thus, I am sure my future will be brighter due to my outstanding experiences at Mililani School.
Unfortunately, not every high school is like this. For example, the students at Crenshaw High School have to wake up every morning scared of the violence they may run into at school. Drugs, alcohol, and violence are their everyday lifestyle at school. Comparing Mililani High School and Crenshaw high school is like comparing a prison to a shopping mall. There are no similarities between the two schools. The only thing they have in common are students who want to succeed!
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