Ramblings of Christmas Break

I hope everyone's winter vacation went great!I know we all deserved and needed the break! Isn't the picture on the right gorgeous?That's Huntington on my Birthday. As expected, the beach was almost completely empty the day after Jesus' Birthday. We did see a kitesurfer and I made a promise to myself that I would learn to kitesurf. I mean soon. It was very cool. I ate at the best bar-b-que place ever and wondered why they abbreviate bar-b-que because when you put in the -'s, it takes up the same amount of room as when you spell it. I was given a Nixon watch which was "the cheese to my macaroni."*

Christmas was one of the best so far. Just some friends and family at our house and a lot of really good food. The coolest gift was probably a quilt my grandma made. The weirdest was a three way tie between an ant farm, a chia pet watch, and pencils.*laugh*My parents definitely have a sense of humor.

I also did alot of reading. Dear John, Atonement, part of Frankenstein, The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn, and Captivating, and some Emily Dickinson poems were among the list. I also made a record for myself and watched about 6 movies in one day. Juno and August Rush were the faves. I also manged to become addicted to The O.C. which is kinda a shame in itself.

Arizona occupied the last three days of my break when Alexis invited me to stay with her and a couple others at their dude ranch. Two words:very cool! (I know I could have come up with two words better than that to describe it) I had alot of fun there and managed to forget school was only in a couple days. Her cousin who also went does a GREAT impersonation of this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o .Our "wrangler" was a guy from Arkansas named Kipp. It is kind of impossible to say the name Arkansas without sounding twangy. He had a glass eye which was also very cool. I also saw a live taratula,(like a wild one), a dead coyote, and not one tumbleweed. Anyway, the dude ranch was another fun part of my vacation that I really enjoyed.

RAIN made break even better!

I worked over my break, left my homework until last minute like I promised myself I wouldn't, went running, wished I could go snowboarding, signed up for kitesurfing lessons, seriously considered a myspace to break the boring moments,and missed you all!

Overall it was a nice relaxing break. If you got this far, congrats for toughing it out. I'm sure you were waiting for it to get better but it didn't. You should have known better.
*My new found habit is quoting movies and making pop culture references. I don't know why. It is actually sorta embarrassing.

Reflection on "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"

While reading "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," I was amused by Mark Twain's use of diction and humor used to entertain readers throughout a monotous account. The author's sarcastic, dry humor allows for the story to encourage readers to continue with the story and pokes fun at an otherwise boring cast of characters. Through the use of diction, Twain develops the characters of the story into a humorous cast that brings color to the story.

The author only "speaks" when he introduces the story at the start, and again at the end. Twain's sarcasm is seen from the very beginning of the lighthearted story when he opens explaining how he ended up writing the tale, a funny account in itself: "I have a lurking suspicion...he would go to work and bore me to death with some exasperating reminiscence" (525). Twain uses the two opportunities at the opening and closing of the story to give readers a humor that is found throughout the story.

The remaining parts of the story are a direct quotation of the account by Mr. Wheeler of a bet crazed man named Mr. Smiley. Twain uses diction to continue his flow of humor throughout the story. Twain uses humor in his characterization by using prominent names such as Dan'l Webster and Andrew Jackson for animals. Twain gives his characters a twangy accent and successfully puts humor in a story that might otherwise be considered bland.

Though the story did not seem to have a theme that jumped out at readers, I enjoyed "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Twain did an excellent job writing a lighthearted, humorous story about a frog and a man addicted to betting.

Reflection on "The Outcasts of Poker Flats"

While reading "The Outcasts of Poker Flats," I was impressed with the way in which the author presented the idea that no matter how strong or weak, good or bad a person may be, everyone faces death of their lives on earth. The author presented characters each unique from each other such as "the innocent" Piney, the adulterous Duchess, the quarrelsome Uncle Billy, and the calm Mr. Oakhurst. These characters were each very different form each other presenting multiple foils to each other in both intellect and physical abilities. The one thing they did all have in common was the world's rejection of themselves and their ironic strikes of bad luck. Harte uses the characterization of all of the characters in his story to show now matter how different man may seem from each other, they are closer to each other than they may seem.

Harte continues with his idea about man's fate and equality when Mother Shipton, the supposed strongest of the group, perishes. This contrast to the idea of the stronger will survive is extinguished as Harte reinforces the fragility of human life.In the end, Duchess and Piney, two completely opposite characters morally, die in each other's arms. Though direct foils of each other in virtually every aspect, the two suffer the same fate. Later, the cool headed Mr. Oakhurst is found dead after a successful suicide attempt. Before the unfortunate event of being outcast took place, the fate of the characters would never have been guessed to have such an unfavorable outcome.

By giving all the characters in his story such a terrible fate, Harte reinforces the idea that humans are immortal. We all share a common thread, just like the characters in the story were all outcasts. Through the use of characterization, Harte shows that everyone will eventually die here on this sinful earth: "But all human stain, all trace of earthly travail, was hidden beneath the spotless mantle mercifully flung from above" (Harte 541). The author shows his readers exactly how fragile life can be and the fate of human immortality. Whether we consider death the actual "end" or the start of a new life, however, is left up to the readers.

A whole new reason for punctuation!?.

I no longer have an excuse for getting frustrated with the corrections of punctuation errors in my papers. Although, I am pretty sure this doesn't run through very many people's heads when they write or type a question mark...

"I just had a thought: punctuation marks exist in the written word and in life.
commas, periods... exclamation points! They divide our existence into discrete
moments, allowing us to catch our breath before we begin the next sentence,
helping us better understand our time here on earth. In life, the question marks are sometimes the hardest to understand, the most frightening. They leave
so much to the imagination, what happens next? Yet, question marks are good for
the soul. They reveal where our hopes are, what we fear, who or what we trust.
So much of what we hold on to in this life is a mirage. Job security, financial
stability, prestige, power, relationships: these are as unsure as our lives
themselves. Sometimes the best thing to do during a time of questioning is to
let the questions dig deep into our soul. Who are we? What are we living for?
I’m a hopeful questioner myself… "

-Jon Foreman

The Most "Radzilla" Night Ever!

Yesterday Haley, Emily, and I went to an amazing concert. If you have come within earshot of me since then, you probably know that we would not shut up about holding Jon Foreman's hand, the lead singer of Switchfoot. The concert was to benefit habitat for humanity and featured Ruth, Relient K, and my favorite Switchfoot.

The truly amazing thing about the concert was listening to the artists speaking to the crowds about their outlook on life. All the guys on the stage last night were truly sincere and genuine about the issues they talked about. Jon Foreman said something I doubt I will ever forget: "Everyday we breath i and out, in and out, in and out...day in and day out. It's just repetition. He gave us breath for something so much more than this. We were made to live for something more substantial than this. We were meant to live for so much more..." Wow. I know going to a private, Christian school, we all have been told that we are here for a purpose, but last night it hit me exactly how hard that is. When the entire world seems like they are living without a purpose, it is so difficult to live literally every breath with meaning and purpose, sincerity and integrity showing truth and honor to him.

All these guys, Switchfoot, Relient K, and Ruth, have gone through "Stardom" and managed to praise and honor Him throughout it all. For that I admire and look up to those guys. Their creativity, genuine hearts, loving spirit, and love for God totally showed through last night. Who ever said Christian concerts are no fun had never seen any of these guys live.

Ruth, a relatively unknown band who I totally recommend listening to, started the concert out with an awesome, laid back attitude. Relient K followed and even invited up a guy to play the last part of "Sadie Hawkins Dance." Let me tell you, I thought Haley was going to cry out of disappointment but she quickly got over it when Relient K brought out the inflatable Christmas decor and played Christmas songs off their new holiday CD. While they played them, snow was blown over the audience. The concert awesome before it really even began! The band continued with a tribute song about The Office which gave the whole auditorium a good laugh.

It was finally time for Switchfoot, and the entire auditorium got about three times louder than before...and that was just for the stage crew getting ready for the band. Switchfoot came out and played every song better than any performance I have ever heard in my life, live or recorded. The cell phone lights were whipped out in no time and I am certain the people sitting in front of us were deaf from the singing and screaming/screeching Em, Haley, and I were doing. Jon crowd surfed and ventured into the audience where he held the three of our hands and was so close we could he his voice without the microphone. The lead singer had so much energy, it was almost scary. After jumping around on stage, spinning with the drum cymbals, rocking out with his brother, and crowd surfing, he stopped to talk about his experiences in life and giving back to habitat for humanity with no loss of breath.(Each ticket had $1 go to HFH.) Haley, Emily, and I had to get the band merch and managed to get all the signatures of the Ruth guys who were totally cool about Em and Haley hopping on one foot to get the signatures.

The most inspiring thing for me was that all the bands really did seem so down to earth and had a true love for God and an appreciation for the talents he gave them. That is what really impacted me last night and made me think. I was put here for a reason. In all God's amazingness, I never really make a huge effort to give back to the Creator who gave me breath. Every heartbeat, I can be using my life to give back and give the Glory to God. He created us, put life into us! And for the first time in my life, I saw people who truly gave back to God all the talents He gave them. It left me speechless-either that or my constant screaming and singing for 4 and a half hours. I know that concert is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I don't think it gets much better when you combine great bands, music, causes, and talent with a desire to live for God in a world that, despite the laws of gravity, is falling apart. (idea stolen from something J. Foreman said at the show)

The results are in!

Hair is something, regardless of age or gender, people tend to obsess over. Whether it is Rogaine commercials or advertisements for the latest and greatest shampoo, Hair plays a major role in the appearance of others. People value the way their hair looks more than they might think; when they were asked to choose between some pretty extreme hairstyles, the answers showed a pattern. Quite a few people, when given the options of a Mohawk, liberty spikes, a mullet, an afro, or big Marie Antoinette hair, frowned and asked something along the lines of “are there any normal options?” The most popular styles chosen seemed to be the ones that were less dramatic in terms of how long they took to grow out. The more widely accepted afro ranked first in choice while the very out of date mullet ranked last. This outrageous hair poll showed that society seems to always want to go with normalcy, atleast in terms of hairstyles.

Romanticism Essay on Walden and Thanatopsis

A man in his search of the human‘s soul once wrote “Nature is not primarily functional. It is primarily beautiful. Which is to say, beauty is in and of itself a great and glorious good, something we need in large and daily doses. Nature at the height of its glory shouts, Beauty is essential” (Eldredge 34)! The authors of Walden and Thanatopsis regard beauty as a necessary part of nature and life. Walden, written by Henry David Thoreau, is a story of a man who finds out more about himself while living in the serenity of isolated Walden Pond. In Thanatopsis, William Cullen Bryant writes how nature benefits man after death because he becomes closer with the earth. Both Thoreau and Bryant agree that nature and it’s beauty is a essential to man. In these stories, the authors claim that the simplicity of nature is an essential part of man’s life by emphasizing that man is able to define himself when he becomes closer with the environment through the setting of his surroundings, the understanding of his conflict with society, and through the use of symbolism with nature and man.

The author of Walden uses the setting of Walden Pond to emphasize that the simplicity and serenity nature brings man can help him find his inner complexities. Thoreau writes that man has no better place to find himself and “no larger fields than these, no worthier games may here be played. Grow wild according to thy nature (207). The author believes that the openness and infinitude of nature allow man’s mind to become freer so he can find knowledge that lies in the corner’s of his mind. Man is only able to truly think freely in the quietude of wilderness. One day at the pond Thoreau observes himself and writes “I saw a double shadow of myself, one standing on the head of the other, one on the ice, the other on the trees of the hillside” (293). Thoreau is showing his belief that man is essentially the same in the wildness of nature as he is in the civility of society. He believes the natural environment is untainted like that of society and therefore enables man to find himself. Henry David Thoreau believes that man can find the complexities of his life when he is away from the confinement of society and in the openness of wildlife.

William Cullen Bryant focuses not on man’s life and nature, but of man’s afterlife with the environment, writing how death brings man closer with nature and at ease with the conflicts within himself. Bryant tells readers to live “like one who wraps the drapery of his couch/About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams” (80-81). The author believes man should not wrestle with himself on the fact of death. He regards decease as a good thing not to be feared. Bryant notes that nature “has a voice of gladness, and a smile/And eloquence of beauty, and she glides/ Into his darker musings” (4-6). The poet believes nature is kind and soothes man’s conflicts within himself. William Cullen Bryant reasons that nature’s beauty relieves man’s aggravations within himself. In Thanatopsis, Bryant writes that man’s struggle with things such as death should be put at rest because nature will always exist on the earth.

Throughout Walden, Henry David Thoreau uses symbols in nature to reveal that man’s conflicts with society can be solved by the solitude of nature. Thoreau writes that “a single gentle rain makes the grass many shades greener. So our prospects brighten on the influx of better thoughts” (314). The author is proclaiming that man can benefit greatly from but just one encounter with nature. Thoreau uses the symbols of a grass being replenished by a rain to show how man can be renewed and enlightened by the serenity of nature. Thoreau goes on to write “The surface of the earth is soft an impressionable by the feet of men; and so with the paths that the mind travels” (323). The author is pointing out that man gets into the patterns of society and gets stuck in the ruts that he and the world have made. He believes man needs a change of scenery to refresh and awake his mind to new thoughts and ways of thinking.

In Thanatopsis and Walden, Bryant and Thoreau use the settings of man’s environment, the conflicts between man and society, and the symbolism of man in nature to show that the serenity and simplicity of the wilderness can help man understand his true self more adequately. The discussion of Walden Pond made clear that man is capable of finding his true self because he is away from the distractions of society. Man should not have to struggle with himself on issues such as death or with society on issues of his individuality. Solitude and serenity, even for a short time, will teach man more about his true self. Though, one might not want to go to extremes such as Thoreau and Bryant did, these author’s books edify that it is good to take time to contemplate one’s self. Taking time from the busy society to consider why one reasons the way one does might open up a new world of thinking and will most certainly be beneficial to the individual.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WORKS CITED

Eldredge, John, and Stasi Eldredge. Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul. Nashville. Thomas Nelson, 2005.

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. New Jersey. Princeton University, 1971.

Bryant, William Cullen Bryant. Thanatopsis. New Jersey. Prentice Hall, 1999.

Cat Hero(es)

This story is not your classic cat got stuck in a tree and we called the fire department story folks.I know you all know about the whole rescuing of the cat thing but I'm putting it up here for reference. Plus I haven't posted in over a week and it is a pretty cool story. Yes, I admit it, I am bragging. I saved a cat last week. That is correct, I saved a cat from it's fate of a peril from starvation. That would be me ladies and gents, your class cat hero. Not actually by myself, the entire class was kinda the hero. Although Mrs. Himes gets credit for luring it out with a piece of lunchmeat though. That was brilliance.

Now I shall tell the story of how I, along with our 4th period class saved the cat who sadly remains nameless although I have heard it was called Jack, cow, spotty (I'm sure some freshman thought that one up, just joking), the actual name "cat", and plenty other ridiculous variations along with"go-yahng-e'" which I think is cat in Korean. Anyway, whatever the cat's name is, he decided it would be a great idea to go underneath the drama building...during construction. While Jack-cow-spotty-go yahng e-cat was underneath the building, construction finished and the black and white spotted cat was therefore left stuck under the building.

The fact that I found him was kind of a freak thing to start with. I had to finish an assignment and Mrs. Himes kindly let me take a trip to the library which I never do. On my way back, I heard meowing. I thought to myself two things. The first being, "Wow, drama is getting really good with their vocal excercises," and the second being "I know the drama people are known to be a little quirky (just kidding Megan!) but meowing is a little creepy." It finally dawned on me thatn it was certainly not drama but in fact Jack-cow-spotty-go yahng e-cat stuck under the building, The only limb of the cat I could see was the cats hand clawing at the ground

Once I stood in shock for a little while, I had to make the choice if I would save the school cat or not. I previously had a grudge for the cat who, when making his almost daily trips into the classroom, walked by me in favor of Andy. I finally decided to save him and ran into Mrs. Hime's room. She, along with the rest of the curious class ran out of the classroom to help.

After digging a trench and coaxing the cat out on our hands and knees with lunchmeat, we made our way back to class. There I was rewarded with starburst candy and resumed class work. Not 10 minutes later the cat came in (to what I believe) to thank the class, and it's cat heroes. Now Mrs. Hime's 4th period Honors American Literature class is definitely way cooler than any super hero!

Can You believe It?

"I cannot entirely be critical of my past; I want to be able to appreciate it. I would hate the feeling of always having to tear down everything I was before in my life."
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Sophomore year is a quarter of the way through! It seems as though Junior High was a couple months ago. Now we are picking out class rings! When I got my paper for the class ring, I immediately thought of graduation and how far away it seems. It's funny, elementary seemed like yesterday.

I can still remember everything about my kindergarten class. I remember that the teacher's pet iguana was afraid of the color yellow so every day I made sure not to wear that color. I thought my teacher was Cruella de Vil because of her hair color(s). I remember the earthquake in November, our butterfly garden, and the butterflies I got when Mrs. Nelson made me sit next to Miguel, only the coolest kindergartener in school. I remember my best friend, Esther, broke her arm on the swings and I even remember being taught "the right way" to glue paper. I would sometimes kill to go back to those days when all I had to worry about was what colors to wear and what blanket to bring to naptime. (I never did sleep during naptimes though my Barbie blankie was pretty awesome.)

On the other hand, I would not change a thing about were I am now. High school has been the hardest and best time of my entire life. When I left my old school, I left the friends I had had since kindergarten. The friends I have made at Whittier have been awesome and I feel like I have known them since kindergarten. Yes, there was no stress in kindergarten, but all the anxiety I feel on a daily basis in high school is nothing compared to all the fun I have had and the friendships I've made.

At the end of the day, I can smile and remember dressing up as the letter "F" for the school play in elementary but I can also grin about a techno homecoming. I can not complain about anything in my life. Everyone has been through alot in their lives and I am so grateful that I can look back on my life so far and remember the many good and the many not so good times with a smile. I have already learned so much in this life. I still have a hard time grasping the fact that God has so much more to teach me.

You all might not remember as much as I do about your "younger years" (which sounds so weird since we are only in high school) but I hope you can look back on your life and remember with a smile what is was like to be a kid. It is scary to think we only have two and 3/4 years left of being "kids." After that college and then marriage and then a family! Is not that a scary thought? It makes me want to stay in high school forever, but just like I sometimes feel like going back to kindergarten. I hope, however, life after graduation will be even better than high school. I know they say these are our best years, but why do they have to be? I hope every stage in my life will be better than the next. That's been my experience so far!

Cause and Effect on Smoking

Tobacco smoking has long been a habit of people from rituals of Indians in the Americas to habits in societies throughout Western Europe, and among the affluent in southern America. Smoking was long regarded as a sign of elegance and now is merely a bad habit. The effects of using tobacco was later found to have dreadful affects on the human body. It is proven tobacco smoking is a terrible risk to one’s health, so why is almost 42% of “a continuously healthier” America doing it?

As a result of tobacco’s extremely addictive properties, one in ten deaths occur worldwide from the addiction. This issue unquestionably affects not only the health of the smokers but the health of all who inhale the smoke. Second hand smoking is just as dangerous: Secondhand smoke causes about 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year. The effects of smoking a cigarette affect everyone and are proven to cause an extensive list of diseases and other health related issues.

The diseases associated with smoking are not inconsequential issues to be taken lightly. Morbid obesity, heart disease, lung cancer, thyroid disease, emphysema, birth defects, atherosclerosis, stroke, blindness, and loss of taste and smell are just a few of the verified harmful affects smoking can have on a person. Smoking is proven to do more damage than good on a person’s health and not only affects the smoker but the innocent around them.

There are, however, some positive effects attributed to smoking. Smoking is thought to lower Parkinson’s disease risk and Alzheimer’s risk and to stunt and eradicate some forms of tuberculosis. These “positive effects” of smoking certainly do not outnumber the negative effects of smoking tobacco and no studies have proven any of the above stated.

As a result of tobacco company’s advertising, younger and younger people are smoking and causing severe damage to their health. Many states have banned were smoking is allowed and in some cities, smoking is banned completely. Actions like these are great but not great enough. More public awareness of the dangers of smoking needs to spread to combat the often disguised pro-tobacco campaigns. The effects of smoking are most definitely more detrimental to one’s health and are certainly better off being eradicated.

Bartelby the Scrivener as a Reflection of Melville’s Thoughts

Although many believe Bartelby the Scrivener is a satire criticizing transcendentalism, mainly Thoreau, the story is actually Melville’s attempt at showing how society is capable of turning everyone into a character similar to that of Bartelby.

Melville was frequently being told to abandon his personal style of writing for a more popular method that would be more accepted. Throughout Herman Melville’s career as an author, he was told “People would admit him to their circle and give him bread and employment only if he would abandon his inner purpose” (Oliver 62). The author, just like Bartelby “preferred not to” abandon his style and intern to society’s objective responses shut himself more and more out of the world just as Bartelby chose to do when the world questioned his actions.

The lawyer blames Bartelby’s death on his position previously in a “dead letters” office signifying the unpopular books in Melville’s life. The lawyer states “pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities…Ah Bartelby! Ah humanity” (Melville 42)! The character of Bartelby and Melville himself told the world “ they prefer not to” follow what the world thinks would be a good idea but instead follow their own hearts which in turn led to their demise.

Melville is relating to the world by using a parallel figure of himself in Bartelby that everyone is capable of becoming hopeless and despaired when the world does not allow people to be free and true to themselves.

Reflection of excerpt from Henry David Thoreau's Walden

While reading the excerpt of Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” I was impressed with Thoreau’s thoughts that in order to live life to the fullest, life needs to be lived simply. Thoreau talks of how he moved to the forest to “see if I could learn what [nature] had to teach , and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (376). The transcendentalist author believes man’s society can learn a great deal from the simplicity of nature.

Thoreau believes man can learn much from nature’s unadorned ways which contrast dramatically with man’s complicated civilization. He argues that “An honest man has hardly need to count more than ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes and lump the rest. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity (376)! Thoreau sees no need for the intricate details of life. By giving an example of his journey in the woods in search for a more simplistic, “Spartan” lifestyle, Thoreau is arguing the simple life is the better life.

While reading Where I Lived and What I lived For, I was impressed also with Thoreau’s statement that “ The surface of the earth is soft and impressionable by the feet of men; and so with the paths that the mind travels” (377). Henry David Thoreau believes every aspect of life should be lived fully and void of unnecessary clutter. If a minimalist life is lived, man has lived the “life where the bone is sweetest” (378).

Threads of Stars

Stars are stitched forever in the night sky
Each night by on by

Impossible to extinguish
These brilliant flames shine bright

Never turning a blind eye
To the distressed cry

Of sorrow filled heart
Brilliant memories they impart

To the weeping and broken
They are unfeasible to forget

They dazzle and shine bright
Through the darkness of the sky

They are free of suffering and pain
Only with their ending this they could obtain

Every soul once gone from earth
Shines in the heavens as a new birth

The ebony of the night makes my heart drop
Only if the hopelessness could stop

The stars are now able to give a new light
A new hope in the sorrowful sky they ignite

Hopelessness is the absence of the light
An absence I struggled with all my might

This absence that burned like a hole
Embedded in the pocket of my soul

But now my soul is flooded with memories of love
When I lift my eyes above

For looking up I again see the optimism strong
I dreamed for so long

The pain and sudden qualms
Are healed by the memories of my beloved star

My star once shining beside me on earth
Remain in the sky to girth

In the solemn quietness of night
When my lonely thoughts roam free

Comes the hope that what I miss is in the stars
Shining bright to give me hope

Symbol of Star

Personification (and later metaphor) of the Star

Rhyme Scheme

The Hollow Men by T.S. Eliot

This is my favorite poem by my favorite author. Since we have been talking about Thanatopsis, I thought I would post it. It is a bit lengthy but totally worth reading. Copying and pasting made it wack out a little so just ignore those errors.

P.S. A famous singer/songwriter quotes him in his/her song(s). Do you know who it is?

The Hollow
Men
T. S. Eliot (1925)

I
We are the hollow menWe are the stuffed menLeaning togetherHeadpiece filled with straw. Alas!Our dried voices, whenWe whisper togetherAre quiet and meaninglessAs wind in dry grassOr rats' feet over broken glassIn our dry cellar
Shape without form, shade without colour,Paralysed force, gesture without motion;
Those who have crossedWith direct eyes, to death's other KingdomRemember us -- if at all -- not as lostViolent souls, but onlyAs the hollow menThe stuffed men.
II
Eyes I dare not meet in dreamsIn death's dream kingdomThese do not appear:There, the eyes areSunlight on a broken columnThere, is a tree swingingAnd voices areIn the wind's singingMore distant and more solemnThan a fading star.
Let me be no nearerIn death's dream kingdomLet me also wearSuch deliberate disguisesRat's coat, crowskin, crossed stavesIn a fieldBehaving as the wind behavesNo nearer --
Not that final meetingIn the twilight kingdom
III
This is the dead landThis is cactus landHere the stone imagesAre raised, here they receiveThe supplication of a dead man's handUnder the twinkle of a fading star.
Is it like thisIn death's other kingdomWaking aloneAt the hour when we areTrembling with tendernessLips that would kissForm prayers to broken stone.
IV
The eyes are not hereThere are no eyes hereIn this valley of dying starsIn this hollow valleyThis broken jaw of our lost kingdoms
In this last of meeting placesWe grope togetherAnd avoid speechGathered on this beach of the tumid river
Sightless, unlessThe eyes reappearAs the perpetual starMultifoliate roseOf death's twilight kingdomThe hope onlyOf empty men.
V
Here we go round the prickly pearPrickly pear prickly pearHere we go round the prickly pearAt five o'clock in the morning.
Between the ideaAnd the realityBetween the motionAnd the actFalls the Shadow
For Thine is the Kingdom
Between the conceptionAnd the creationBetween the emotionAnd the responseFalls the Shadow
Life is very long
Between the desireAnd the spasmBetween the potencyAnd the existenceBetween the essenceAnd the descentFalls the ShadowFor Thine is the Kingdom
For Thine isLife isFor Thine is the
This is the way the world endsThis is the way the world endsThis is the way the world endsNot with a bang but a whimper.

How to Run a Hurdle Race

In the past you might have been told to “take it one hurdle at a time.” In order to do well in a hurdle race, focusing on one hurdle at a time is essential to doing well. In a race, a hurdler must jump over ten hurdles in the quickest time possible. The following might be surprising but the most imperative thing in a race is not the hurdles but rather the space in between them. Yes, jumping over the hurdles efficiently is important but managing your stride in between the hurdles resourcefully is the key to success in a race.

The best way to do well in hurdling is to imagine that there are no hurdles in the race at all! While it is against the rules to plow through the hurdles, focusing on the hurdles as an obstacle you need to get over as quickly as possible to sprint the rest of the race is a key mindset to doing well. Before you begin to do anything, you need to determine your lead leg. You can do this by standing and having someone push you from behind. Whichever leg you put forward to catch yourself with is the leg you will lead with over the hurdles. The goal is to “three step” which means taking three strides in between each hurdle. Doing this makes a hurdler’s jumping and running power much greater. The only way to master the difficult task of three stepping is to practice.

Practicing and perfecting your form takes a bit of time and a lot of effort. When you are practicing, make sure to wear running spikes so you have traction and therefore more power going over the hurdles. Taking it one hurdle at a time not only goes for races but also goes for practice. When you are practicing your form, warm up by first jumping over one hurdle a few times. Once you are warmed up move on to two, then three, and eventually around five. Stretching, conditioning, icing, and sometimes a few ibuprofen are also important to keep your body well enough to run. In the end, all the practice, training, and conditioning will pay off. The feeling of flying over hurdles in a race is more thrilling than any rollercoaster or scary movie!

Tone in The Devil and Tom Walker

In “The Devil and Tom Walker,” Irving explains that greed and selfish ambitions can destroy people through the use of tone. Irving uses the characteristic lighthearted, tones of a classic fireside poet in a humorous manner when he writes “ Such was the end of Tom Walker and his ill-gotten wealth. Let all the groping money brokers lay this story to heart. The truth of it is not to be doubted” (245). In this quotation, Irving is jeering at Tom Walker’s stupidity while also providing his theme concisely. The author does not bother with extravagant diction and instead puts his thoughts out clearly and to the point.
The fireside poet makes his story comprehensible for the younger ones but also shows his appeal to the rest of the family when he writes that “Tom looked in the direction that the stranger pointed, and beheld one of the great trees, fair and flourishing without, but rotten at the core” (239). Irving uses symbolism of the trees to capture the essence of the selfish men’s sacrifices to the devil. Irving’s message that selfish thinking is iniquitous is the same as that of the younger children’s message. The author knew his audiences were families ranging in age and therefore provided something for the entire family by using tone to characterize his story of an egotistical man who took the consequences of his actions.

Best thing since sliced bread

I know all of y'all have googled yoursleves before. So i did it today to see what came up. Turns out, IM NOT THE ONLY FINKE IN THE UNIVERSE! yay me and everyone else named Lauren Finke. Turns out other Lauren Finkes are teachers that graduated cum laude from U of Pittsburgh, All-American Youth Triatholan participants, volleyball players at Tampa Bay, and well thats about it. The real me is actually mentioned twice which really made me happy and a little freaked out at the same time. My advice is that everyone should google themselves. Plus, its great a great place to put in some major procrastinating time for homework you should have done a week ago. Googling yourself shoud be put on your list of a hundred and one things to do before you die. Just so everyone knows, google is most definitely the best thing since easy bake ovens and sliced bread (which by the way I never really understood why sliced bread was so great.) And just in case your wondering, Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented that, and yes, I found that out on google. Okeedokee peoples. I need to finish some homework due a week ago!

Reflection on Snowstorm and The Devil and Tom Walker

I'm pretty sure there isn't a giant, snow covered Hulk in Whittier's story but I thought it was pretty cool so there it is...

Literary Reflection of
Snowbound and Devil and Tom Walker

Throughout reading Snowbound, I was impressed with the way Whittier expressed the plot of the poem the way only a fireside poet would and using imagery and rhyme. Snowbound tells the story of a family during a winter snow storm. Whittier states “Around the glistening wonder bent/ The blue walls of firmament,/ No cloud above, no earth below-/ A universe of sky and snow” (50-54). The author could have said that he was simply trapped by snow but instead he conveys emotion by his use of rhyme and the description of nature and the storm. Throughout the poem, Whittier shows the warmth of family even in the coldest of the winter storms: “The great throat of the chimney laughed;/ The dog on his paws outspread/ Laid to the fire his drowsy head” (164-166). This fireside poet literally uses the fireplace to describe the comfort, warmth, and happiness of family.

While reading Devil and Tom Walker, I was impressed with how Irving expresses the dangerous outcome of material things. Irving tells the tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil and has to live a life of greed and deception instead of honesty and humbleness. Irving writes “ Such was the end of Tom Walker and his ill-gotten wealth. Let all the groping money brokers lay this story to heart. The truth of it is not to be doubted” (245). Irving points out the truth by using symbolism. He uses the quarrels between the man and his wife, the greediness of the wife that led to her destruction, and the shortcut the man makes in the beginning of the story that led him to the devil to symbolize that greed, and cheating are never the answer. Washington Irving wants man to be hardworking and loving creatures; He knows there are no shortcuts in life.