My AP Life Class

Being in this class has helped my development as a student by helping my reconizing my limits. As well as understanding what I can and can not do pertaining to my work load. When it comes to school I have learned that it is better to complete things by importance level and by what I know I am better at. Like said in class, "Do what you know your good at first; make it great and then spend time on what you have trouble with." I feel this was more of a life class than an English class. So many discussions that we had as a class has really opened my eyes about the society in which I live in as well as where I stand in it.

I would have to say the rhetorical essay was the most difficult one for me to write. It would mostly be the result of not fully understanding the devices themselves. The easiest essay was the synthesis. Due to the fact we had a lot of practice for it.

my favorite book in this was The Crucible. Perhaps because I read the book some time before this class and like the theme of the book. My least favorite was Devil In The White City( no explanation needed for that reason).

All that is left to say is, thank you. This class and its lessons will never leave my heart. Thank you for being an awesome teacher, you are the best ever!

~This is not the end!

-Naru

I Will Carry You Always

We all have things we carry. Anywhere from memories and abstract feelings to relationships and physical items. Some of these items my be personal and some can be visually seen. No matter what they are they are yours to carry, good or bad. Life isn't about what you carry but how you carry it.

A physical item that I can say that I can not live without would be (this might be weird) a jacket. I always have to have a jacket, even on hot days. I would not be able to function properly without one. Even if I'm not wearing it I have to have it near me. I do not know how to properly explain it other than it gives me comfort and makes me feels safe.

A relationship that I carry always would be my relationship with Jesus. I understand that everyone reading this may not have the same way of life that I have. However this is a part of me that I will not exclude because of someone else difference in views. Everyday I speak to him and ask questions. I also ask for things I need and sometimes want. I may not receive what I ask for right away but it always come on time even when I though it is not exactly when I wanted it. I thank him and God for everything I have today.

As far as goals, I think one of mine would be to save myself. By doing so I think I
can save myself from a lot of pain and heartache. I can save myself from mistakes and from a potentially hard life. I have seen the struggles of my parents and I refuse to allow myself to go through that let alone let my children have to suffer from it also.

l would characterize myself as blunt, diplomatic, and compassionate. I can be mean and overbearing sometimes but that is a whole other set of character traits. I would not want to be an other person but who and what I am. Most people consider me to be a grandma. They say I have a old soul and speak in a way their mother or grandmother do. My personality tends to attract people. People confide and trust in me with their troubles. With my warmth also comes heat. Sometimes I can get heated and go off at someone or something. I can also be cold and not care about anyone or anything. The more I hang around a person the more they understand my personality however everyone perceives me differently. I guess I am a typical Sagittarius.

I guess the memories that shape me the most would be the struggles in my life. Not always having the additionals in life has taught me the importance of valuing what you have because you never know when it may be your last. Some experiences with my life's struggles are too personal to share on my blog however I can say that I am blessed to be where I am today. I have a house, a bed, and a room to call my own and I am grateful for that much is all.      
 

Until next Time!

-Naru

The Choice Yours

In the short story of Everybay Use the narrator talks about two sisters. One symbolizes following the culture of the parent and the other symbolizes following one's own identity. Finding the middle ground is earier than people may think. Just be who you are. Don't conform into who people want or think you should be.

People are not as black and white as a society would to portray them as. People have the power to be themselves and create who they want to become. A person's background does not seal their future. However their up bringing is not always their downfall. The choice of how they want to live their life is up to them. All they have to do is choose.

Most people may disagree or reject some of their parents ways. However they fail to realize they are who they are because of their parents. Whether good or bad, parents have shaped their children's lives. Although it's up to the children what they mold into. It all depends on the actions you take in life.

I, myself honor my parents be learning from the ways they taught me. On the other hand I follow my own identity by not letting it define me. Some of the aspects that I like I use in everyday life. The others I respect but discard. The third option is possible, it lies within our own hearts.

Until next time!    

-Naru

Poe is the Way to Go

As far as all things horror and creepy, Poe knows his stuff. Considering his accomplishments I believe it would be safe to say he is the king of horror stories, dark romanticisms, and, my personal favorite, (being sarcastic) cliff hangers. His unique writing style can be seen as an template for Gothic writers world wide.

Edgar Allen Poe Jan. 17, 1809-Oct. 7, 1849

Speaking of template, if you cant beat them, join them. Poe has some features that I myself would use in this genre. The classical hunted house, a bleak landscape, a mysterious and hunting family past, reanimation, and emanate doom.

I would create a hunted house that came alive. One that affected the people and land surrounding it, without a doubt my readers would know the house was behind it all. The landscape of my story would be terrifying on its own. The tree would seem to reach out and the mist would be deceitful. 

The family's past would be treacherous and dark. Full of evil so great that they would become hated in the eyes of my readers. The dead would never stay dead in my stories. Just when you would think it's over, they come back again or as something else. My readers would know that the end would not be glorious. The ending would not be expected but it would be anticipated. You would feel the dreadful end through out the whole story however still be shocked when it is over. 

In my belief the basics and foundations for horror and gothic themes have already been created, they just have to be followed. Writers like Poe has laid the foundation and it is up to us to build and expand upon it.

      

Until next time!       

-Naru   

The Occult is to Americans as Super is to Natural

It is ironic how you can't spell supernatural without natural and slaughter without laughter. Americans have a natural love for all things dark and mysterious. If it goes bump in the night or loves the dark, people want to know about it. I myself have an infatuation with some of the unknown. This can be seen through out American art work, literature, music, TV shows, and much more.

The short story for this week truly was the perfect example for America's fascination with the occult. Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne shows the roots of our fascination with the darkness. If you ask why our country is so mesmerized by fear and evil, the answer would be our roots. This country was built on religious beliefs and was taught everyday to stay away from everything evil and dark. Whether or not people nowadays choose to believe in witchcraft and such things, they did back then. Some tried to practice dark arts such as Voodoo (which is said to be actually real and works) and Necromancy but were shunned and sometimes even killed. So naturally people were curious about the forbidden. As centuries past curiosity turned into memorization and now can be considered an obsession.

A more recent example of this obsession would be the TV series American Horror Story. This show highlights all of America's secret and known obsessions with the occult. Everything from ghosts and magic to religion, demons, and even aliens are thrown in there. What makes this show so intriguing is that it includes historical facts and truths throughout the season. Things that have popped up in my school lessons were mentioned in the show and vice versa. The show blends our country's dark pasts with our present obsessions.

All three seasons

            Whether it is to scare ourselves, others or just to know if its true the occult will be embedded in American culture. Our country will be forever bewitched by spell binding power of the occult and all thing in association.

Until next time!     

-Naru

The Perfect Anti-Hero(understanding anti-heroes)

When it comes down to anti-heroes, Ichabod Crane he is the perfect example. He may be the protagonist of "Sleepy Hollow" however, he is very far being a hero. To better understand Ichabod's role as an anti-hero comparing him to anti-hero Emily Thorne(Revenge)seem like the best strategy. Together Crane and Thorne share anti-hero characteristics such as selfishness, manipulation, and opportunism.

Crane and Thorne are considerably selfish. when it comes down to something they want its is rare they would be willing to let go of it. Crane would marry a woman just to gain her wealth and disregard her feelings. Thorne would be willing to destroy someone's life and not care if an innocent bi-standard was hurt in the process. They are rapped up in their needs and wants they forget about others in the process.

Manipulation is their dominate anti-hero trait. Both characters are very good at getting what they want. Thorne could turn of whole situation around in her favor and use her enemies to her own advantage. Crane has the ability to charm his way into people's home and tables. He would use his students to get in good with the mothers who would in turn feed him. Crane and Thorne could play the role and act whatever part was needed as long as they got what they wanted.

When it arose, there was nothing stopping them from taking it. Opportunities were never turned down for these two characters. Whether it was the chance to steal a pie from a passing lady by holding open the door for her, or framing the same person that tried to frame them. They always took the chance to get what they wanted.

In all Ichabod Crane and Emily Thorne are the ideal anti-heroes. Their dominant traits are mainly what set them apart from the norm of "super" heroes.


Until next time!

-Naru