Research Topic

Informal: To be honest, I have always had a "knack" or interest about all things World War II. But one thing that I never really explored or even thought about (in a more formal way) was Nazi Germany and their superior domination. I thought to my self, with Germany being such a power house and dominant force through out the war, how did we come upon their defeat? And how did they suddenly lose control? They had conquered so much land, and created such a valiant army. How did that help or hurt them? By factoring all of these in I created my research topic. How did geographic advancement and foreign occupation during WWII help or hurt Germany? Well the truth is that Germany's advancement and foreign occupation significantly aided their success. Yet at times all of that power went to their head's and thats why bad, cocky, and careless decisions were made. In turn, leading to the fall  of Germany.

Formal: Throughout my young life I have had a significant interest in the topic of World War II. I was always interested in Germany's conquest. I loved watching old films of German U-boats and infantry. For some reason, it just really interested me. I always knew that Germany was one of the most dominant forces in the war. And for significant periods of time, they controlled almost all of Europe. Then again, I never thought about the factors that lead to both their domination of Europe and their defeat. All of those cob-webbed questions stayed tucked away in the back of my head until now. Using my previous knowledge on Germany during the war and my past questions on their conquest, I formed a research question. How Germany's expansion and foreign occupation aid or hurt them during the war? To answer this question I used the help of many databases and timelines forming this thesis statement. Germany's advancement and foreign occupation throughout the war significantly aided their success. All though this was the case, the gargantuan power that is received from such domination can get to one's head. Such thing happened to Germany. Careless and cocky acts of aggression and triumph lead Germany to a depleting defeat.

Free Post: Wrestling

As many of you may or may not know, Episcopal has a wrestling team. Now many people have their different opinions about the sport, but in the end they couldn't be a wrestler even if they wanted to. They wouldn't have the courage nor the determination that is required in a wrestler. Wrestling is not a (as some would say) "feminine" sport. Your whole mission as a wrestler is to beat your opponent within an inch of their life so they can tell the next opponent what to expect. Ive seen many people who have the belief of wrestling being a "gay" sport, until they come to a tournament only to see a kid have his shoulder dislocated, only for his coach to put it back in, slap him in the face, and send him back on the mat. I have personally seen this happen on more than one occasions as well as knee and elbow dislocations, with many busted lips, broken teeth, and concussions.

As I said wrestling is not for the weak. It is an extreme contact sport, with intentions of demolishing your opponents. I have a love for this sport. This year will mark my third total year wrestling and my second season with Episcopal. So far in my Episcopal wrestling career I have placed first and third in numerous varsity tournaments, become a varsity letterman in the 8th grade, and also went on to place eighth in the state in the 8th grade as well. I have a true passion for this sport. I have given and received many injuries in this sport and will gladly receive more if it means a varsity spot in a tournament. All in all I hope you get my point when I say no matter what anyone tells me, I will always know the truth about the sport, and my love for it will never change.

Research Update

So far in in my research project, it has started out the same way as every other essay we have done this year (or at least I hope it will...) Every essay we have done was really confusing and hard to grasp at the beginning, but after we got started and I began to put something down on paper it became very easy and carefree all the way to the end. Just like all of the others, this project has been giving me lots of trouble in the beginning.

I have been having trouble finding different varieties of sources and I have been facing conflicting feelings about my topic. Trying to decide weather to narrow it down and be more specific to certain pivotal moments or keep it where it is. All of these questions and more I will be asking Coach Coco and Dr. D as we begin the writing process. So far those are the only problems Ive had concerning my paper. I think that Im right around where I need to be so far in the project, but deadlines are quickly approaching and I need to stay on track. I definitely think that our group discussions in class have really helped me along in the research process, and I hope that we continue to meet with these groups throughout the project. All in all my project has been shaping up quite well and I hope and pray for a smooth writing process.

Reading times:
1/18- read 35 min, 1/20- read 40 min, 1/21- read and researched- 65 min

Free Post

For my free post Ive decided to reflect back on what my thoughts and expectations were about High School and then compare and contrast them to how I feel today. Well after 8th grade I didn't really care about anything, better yet school, so it wasn't until the final weeks of summer that I began to start questioning. I thought high school would be a lot more dull and dead than middle school was. Either way I was going to try to have fun no matter what, but I was completely wrong. High school is really boring at times, but being able to hang out with all of my friends who are upper class men is really cool since they give me advice on all of the teachers. I also thought in the beginning that the teachers would be like they are in college, as in you'd be lucky if one of them knew your name. Yet again I was completely wrong, all of the teachers know my name and actually acknowledge me and care for me, which is a great thing to have.

For a while I did think that there was big parties every day and all night, but that was when I was back in 6th grade and didn't know anything. Even though our high school isn't famous for throwing crazy parties every weekend, we (well some of us) all still have cotillion to look forward to and do all of that stuff. All and all I am satisfied with my current high school experience and cannot complain about my grades, (which I also thought were not going to be this good) so needless to say I can't wait to get deep into the second quarter. 

Reading Response: Grey Wolves

As Dr. D said we are now officially back in school and the normal routines. For the second semester I will pick up where I left off in my free read book, which is called "Grey Wolves" by: Robert Muchamore. So far Muchamore has continued to tie the reader in with vivid sensory details and action packed scenes. I have begun to notice a pattern of these events in the text and can't help but wonder when they will end and how they will end.

I've often wondered if other readers have thought the same thing. Wondering when an author will stop using this pattern or when the falling action will finally come. Muchamore has decisively inserted different techniques of writing mixed with highly intense moments into the text, at sometimes it even appears to be random, yet it still has a purpose.

Now I am in one of those moments where you want to keep reading because the text is so action packed and suspenseful, yet at the same time I fear it will wear off and return to its usual boring dialog. Eventually I will have to face both factors, but until then I'll enjoy it whilst its here.

1/8-read 45 mins 1/9-read 30 mins 1/10- read- 45 mins 1/11-read 35 min

Reading List and Goals (with a holiday thank you)

Before I say anything or get started on business I wanted to give a shout out to everyone in my class and tell them them to pat themselves on the back because this blog is the last blog for the 1st semester! Whoo Hoo!! Which is a huge relieve and accomplishment for us all so give each other kudos for making it this far and keeping up the excellent work. I also wanted to thank everyone who helped me along the way and gave me guidance either on here on the blog or in class. You all have been such a great help to me and I appreciate each and everyone one of you for giving your time to help me and give me advise. I feel humbled to have such great help and such kind and loyal friends. I hope everything turns out the way you want on exams (it will so don't even worry!) and that all of your holidays are safe and filled with joy and family.

So far this year I am surprised on how many books I have read, some were more fun than others, but all were good books and I'm glad I took time to read them. Out of all the books I have read this year, to order them in easiest to hardest is more difficult than I though, but here it is.

At the bottom for the easiest I would have to place the over eleven short stories we read (including free reads). I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of these short stories. I think they all shaped me as the reader I have become so far, by enhansing my attention to detail, critiquing, and ability to decipher hidden themes or hints. Next up I would have to put "Nation." To be honest, I didn't really enjoy reading Nation (especially over the summer,) but I think it prepared me for the year to come and gave me a taste of the criteria in English 1. Then I would have to put my summer free read "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" I absolutely loved this book! Needless to say the only reason I read it was because I was running out of time and my mom made me, but I'm so glad I did. I though it was going to be really "girly" and stupid. but I was wrong. It was filled with dozens of high intensity moments, with some war scenes and fights, but mostly heart pounding suspense. This was one of those books that makes your heart beat fast so that you never want to put it down. Next I would have to put LOFT (even though were not finished.) Then I am going to put my three and a half free read books that I've managed to finish throughout the first semester. I say three and a half because the fourth one is still in progress of being completed. These seres of books mean a lot to me because in a way I can connect to them throughout everyday life and my interest in history. They aren't the easiest to read, nor are they the  shortest books out there, but I love them and think they are the books that have truly shaped me as a reader from the beginning. Finally, at the tippy top of the list, in the most difficult spot is no other than..... The "beloved" "In Defense of Food!" (which I know was everyones favorite book this year.) Needless to say, in shocking disbelief, "In Defense of Food" was not only the toughest book to read, but it was my least favorite of the bunch. Part of me, as a reader, needs to have some sort of connection to each book I read in order to feel a connection and grasp the overall picture and theme. Sadly, I did not feel this connection to IDOF in any way, shape, or form. I really don't like telling people (especially my english teacher) that I just flat out didn't like a book, but I just flat out, didn't like this book.

Now to respond to this:

This year I think I've learned a lot about my self. I think I have found out a lot of my strengths and weaknesses. One thing that I have learned is that I'm actually not awful at English. I think this year was kind of my savior year, considering that it saved me as an english student from falling down the beaten path of people who just flat out don't like english. But I am not proud to say that I have a new perspective on English and I think I will no longer be another student who hangs their head and sighs "Ugh... i have english next.." Even though I have these days for every class, it will not be just another reoccurring, day to day thing like it was in the past. I am also proud to say that I have found very little weaknesses in the criteria we have learned so far this year. I think that I don't understand a lot of big projects like the Literary Analysis or Literacy Narrative until, about half way, or three quarters way into the project when suddenly everything clicks for me.  So since I got all of that out of the way, I think its time to set some goals.

Now my new number one goal for the rest of this semester and all of next is to improve my scores on Worldy Wise. I know this sounds like a small goal to some but to me this is a very important one. I will admit that I need a LOT of work on my Wordly Wise. The reason being is that I think that I push it off too much and that is what hurts me. I am always so busy with other things that I'm not studying my words as much as I should and my grade on the quizzes  and now the class shows it. As a matter of fact I need to start studying for that right now since I have ONCE AGAIN pushed them off until the night before, which brings me to my next goal, which is (how ironic) Time Management. Time management is a very weak suit of mine which definitely is a first priority goal in ALL of my classes this year. It is something that I believe has restrained me this year and has not allowed me to live up to my full potential this year, therefore in turn effecting many of my grades. Finally, to end the last, LONGEST blog of the year 2012 two small goals which are number one: Finish my free read book, and number 2: find a nice room somewhere filled with food, water, a comfy bed, and a 75' flatscreen LCD Tv with an Xbox, so I can lock my self in and sleep for hours to make up for all sleep lost during the long, yet very quick first semester.

Reading Focus

My reading focus for "Lord of The Flies" is Physical Setting. Now I was happy with this selection due to the amounts of different environments and habitats on the island, but so far the different elements have become very repetitive. At the beginning of the book there is an established theme of the color green. Except it was not only used to describe the typical grass and leaves but it was used in many other different, sometimes strange ways: "Ralph hauled himself onto this platform, noted the coolness and shade, shut one eye, and decided that the shadows on his body were really green." and also another usage on that same page where Piggy stared at Ralph's green and white body. Which drew questions into my mind, many of them commonly followed the theme of "why?" This is just the first of many little hints of color importance and repetition that are in the story. Also before this there was mentioning of somethings green feathers a hundred feet into the air, which I also found strange. Everything seems very strange to me as to why this exact color, and I am still trying to find connections in the story that might revel the reasoning for this. The next "Big Thing" that I have been focusing on the the mountain of pink granite. At numerous points in the text the color pink has been stressed as important color and significant factor in the setting. The first hints of pink come with talk about the conch and the mountain:   "Some act of god-a typhoon perhaps, or the storm that accompanied his own arrival-had banked sand inside the lagoon so that there was a long, deep pool in the beach with a high ledge of pink granite at the further end." The common reoccurrence of pink once again leaves questions of why? And the purpose of each, but we can detour one of the meanings when it is described as the conch fading and becoming white. Later relating it to some symbolistic themes. Finally, Ive still been looking for that big important factor of setting to come around, but I still have been focusing on new occurring colors like blue and white, as well as the differences between the two camp sites; focusing on the conditions, security, and overall environment of the two.

Finally, a quick reading response and analysis for LOTF. To be quite frank with everyone I am thoroughly surprised that these children have survived as long as they have with out dying, starving to death, killing each other, or falling off the mountain. I am actually VERY surprised and commend them  on their luck! As you all know (if your still awake after reading that LONG passage above) my reading focus is Physical Setting. So far (as you all know) I've found some pretty cool connections from the text. Now I thought I would debunk some of them that also relate to different aspects of literary elements. The first one I though was cool was the fading of the conch. As we all know the BIG colors are green, pink, and recently now some new ones are white and blue. Also the conch contains a few of these colors. Which is a cool coincidence, but what I found really cool was just as the beginnings of destruction and seperation in the tribe happened the conch faded and lost all of its color. Which, what I think, is the author giving us little fun things to find and connect everything to, keeping our minds sharp and locked onto the text. As you all know (once again... I should really stop starting a sentence with that) Simon was murdered and is now dead at the hands of... well.. a lot of people. Therefore leaving our "pathway" to communication with the devil/Lord of The Flies gone. Supposedly we are in for more surprises and excitement ahead, so get ready because the end of the book is coming very fast and when it gets here I think something BIG is join to happen. (Thats not a hint to whats going to happen at the end of the book, I have no clue I swear so don't think that the ending is really controversial because I have read the book before or something. I honestly don't know.)

Reading Times:
10/3-45 min 10/4-45 min 10/6-30min