When all is said and done!

Reflecting on the 2009-2010 english class experience:

This year has gone by so quickly; at first, thinking back to remember and reflect seems strange. But when I think of all the ways I have grown as an English student, and all that I have learned both in language and with my overall general knowledge, I realize how long it has been and that it really is time for a reflection.

At the beginning of the term, I did not have many expectations for G10 English because I did not know much about the course or what it was going to entail. I was excited, because I had had a wonderful experience in English the year before, and I was curious about what I was going to learn. Today, after all of the classes I have sat through over the past two semesters, I am still curious about what I am going to learn next, what we are going to discuss, and if there is going to be a joke involved. I was confident coming into the introduction to world literature course because English had always been a strong subject of mine. I think that through this course, my confidence in English has expanded from knowledge of literary techniques and how to write an essay or commentary, to real-world applications of English and analysis as well as foundations of general knowledge.

The more you do something, the easier it becomes. I think that reading is no exception. My current reading comprehension is okay because we have read a lot in class, however, I think it could be better. I do not think that it has dramatically improved this year. This is probably because it was one of my most comfortable areas coming into 10^th grade, and since then I have improved mostly in other areas of English. I know that by reading more outside of school, my reading comprehension would improve – but it is always hard to find time to get into a book that is not school related. I am excited to read a lot this summer!

Last year, in class, we wrote several essays and commentaries. This year, we have been less focused on writing and more on interpretation and other media (with videos, for example). I think that overall, my writing has improved with maturity; I have grown up a lot this year, and I think this has been reflected in my writing. However, I think that because we were not constantly writing, like a muscle that you don’t use, it is harder than it used to be when the time comes to sit and write a commentary. When I am writing a commentary, this year, I have been constantly asking myself how I can go deeper in my ideas and analysis. I think that, with a commentary especially, you can always go deeper in developing an idea – and that’s what I keep telling myself!!

As far as my speaking skills are concerned, it is something I really enjoy. I like speaking in front of people, and I always have an opinion (which is why I talk so much in class!). I have never really been shy to stand up and speak, and I think it was cool how we were able to have a speech unit in class, so that I could explore speaking on a new level. Now, with what I learned, I feel even more comfortable speaking up in situations – outside of class too – like in MUN, for example.

Overall, I feel like the way I structure my writing and organize my thoughts is mostly the same as 9^th grade. I think that I developed a strong base in writing, and have used what I know to develop into a better writer this year. There are some areas that I definitely have improved in since last year. For example, I used to have trouble integrating quotes into my writing and transitions were choppy. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I am constantly asking myself how I can go into more depth with my ideas. I think I improved in all of these areas this year. My vocabulary also improved through class discussions, and our “SAT words of the day”. My spelling is still probably my weakest area in English…

I think that timed writing’s level on the difficulty spectrum varies greatly depending on the circumstances. I find that with commentaries, if I understand the poem from the start, I know the steps necessary to write a good commentary. But when nothing sparks in my mind, or I am not inspired, then the time limit just adds a whole new dimension to the difficulty of writing a commentary. I find that once I accumulate enough ideas for an outline, the whole process gets easier. Also, because I struggle with spelling, and I also like to re-arrange my thoughts as I write, I find timed writing to be much easier when we are able to type on a computer.

The next part of the list of what to include in this reflection asks us to think about what makes a “creative person”. I think that everyone is born with the ability to be creative. I think it is human instinct. A creative person is someone who is able to combine existing ideas or concepts in a new way. Often it takes awhile for creative ideas to be accepted. Therefore, a creative person must have courage and conviction. I believe that someone can learn to be creative once they get over the fear of standing out or making a mistake. I think I am somewhat creative but just like other people, I am self-conscious and this hinders my ability to be as creative as I would like to be sometimes. I guess this is normal as a teenager… I think there is a difference between creative writing and creative speaking. Creative writing is two dimensional - words on paper that communicate thoughts and ideas. Creative speaking introduces a third dimension of performance and voice. In other words, I think that the same written words can have a completely different meaning when spoken out loud. It is not always better and not always worse, but the ultimate effect is always different. I think that this year, the creative side of my writing has developed through this blog.

Updating my blog for all kinds of assignments in different classes has allowed me to find a voice outside from the structure I usually write under for other assignments. I think that was one of the biggest benefits of having a blog – it is a place where I can not only organize and keep my work from this year, but also a place where I can express myself and develop myself as a writer. I hope to continue it in the future!

750

I wrote 750 words on 750words.com. I wrote mostly about my week, and all the work I had to do. Click here to see the website's analysis of my writing.

Far Away?

This is a video response a question about the play, Far Away

Tea's got a way...

So many things I need to get done

Abundant assignments plaguing my mind

I am counting on the way of tea to help me unwind

Encountering tatami - my journey has begun.

The sound of water pouring slow

Invites a sense of summer to come

It reminds me of a juicy plum

Or playing in the ocean - something I'll never outgrow.

I experience joy as though I am free

Just like birds flying in the summer air

I feel the warmth of July on my sun-bleached hair

I look down - I see green tea.

The guest recites exactly what they are scripted to say

As I penetrate reality to finish the day.

Analysis of two poems

Please click on one of the image to see it larger. :) Thank you!

History: grade trends

Overall, I think my first semester of 10^th grade humanities was a success. Not only did I learn a lot about history, but also my test-taking and assertion-making skills have grown to a new level. I think that the assessments cater to the development of these skills and truly tests my understanding of the unit. As a whole, my grades seem pretty consistent across the board.

My strongest category appears to be concepts (criterion B), however, we only got one grade in that area – so I am not sure how much of an indicator that is. Therefore, I would say that the strongest category of mine is skills (criterion C), this was the most common grade we received last semester and I was very consistent. This criterion was used when assessing DBQs. I think that I do better on the document based questions opposed to the normal quizzes, because I am stronger at coming to my own conclusions based off of information given to me, than reading something – memorizing facts – and then relating them to questions on a quiz.

Most of my problems on the quizzes, where my grade would drop, were because I missed a key point needed for a complete answer. This would lead to 0.5 marks off of a question, and those errors would add up. I think I would like to work on going deeper into the reading and making sure I have a complete understanding of what the packets include. Often, because they contain so much information, it is difficult for me to narrow it all down to the important concepts.

This is something I am specifically going to work on this semester. Even if it takes more time for me to complete the packets, it is something I want to do. I think I did very well, ending the semester with a 95%. I only hope I can do the same or even better second semester!

Found Poetry: THE INNER SELF

Cannot really be described as an island.

It is a wavy line of fate –

Spunky but mild mannered on the outside.

Beautiful, where compromise is needed.

It is a wavy line of fate –

Tranquility represents the last major component.

And suddenly, a strongly downward turning line.

The more complicated the turning of lines, the more complicated will be the conclusion.

It is a wavy line of fate –

Doubters will always doubt.

Marks of concern

Can she do it?

Fate and fortune.

It is a wavy line of fate -

Stone drunk.

Already familiar.

But somehow unknown.

It is a wavy line of fate –

When most people think of intuition, they conjure up a vision.

Good luck.

It is a wavy line of fate –

Dreams come true.

It is a wavy line of fate.

Cohesive? Or Divisive?

Cohesive or Divisive? -

Reflectively Speaking

Public speaking has never been a painful experience for me. And, because public speaking is something I genuinely enjoy doing, I was excited to do speeches in class this year. I was also looking forward to hearing the speeches by the other students – because I knew they would all be very impressive, and I love listening to speeches. When it came to my topic, I had a pretty sound idea of what I wanted to talk about. Compassion. I came across Charter for Compassion, at the beginning of the school year, and was really inspired by the message being conveyed. Then, when we got to this unit in class, and found out that the topic of our speech must somehow connect to the mission statement, at that point, I knew it was meant to be. :-)

We did not have much time, but luckily, because it had been something I had been anticipating, and thinking about, I could begin writing straight away. At first, naturally, I wanted to include as many rhetorical devices as I could. But as the process continued, I found this effort was slowing me down significantly, and at that point, I decided to get my ideas down and then go back and make it “better”. I heard an interview on the radio by the man who writes speeches for president Obama. The man said, “tricks are not what make a speech - its first, what do I have to say and how can I move people with this?” and that made me forget the entire idea of techniques and just write. I actually found that afterwards, I was not missing any techniques. They had all incorporated themselves in naturally.

At first I wrote my speech with a lot of loaded diction, quotes, scientific facts, and big ideas…but then, after thinking about it some more, I decided to take a completely different approach. I re-wrote it with a much simpler image in mind. I hoped that a simpler speech would be easier for the audience to take in and in turn have a bigger impact. After writing it, I spent a lot of time practicing delivery, so that when it came time to present the speech to the class, I would be more confident. I knew that my speech did not have a fancy speech – so in order for it to be meaningful, I knew that delivery was important. I think speech is special because often it does not matter what someone is saying, as long as they present it well, people are convinced. That is what I was relying on for my speech. And that is why I spent so much time working on delivery.

After the class presentation, I was satisfied because I knew I did what I had practiced – I did the best I could do, but I was not expecting to be a finalist. I thought that my speech was too simple (although I had intentionally made it that way) and I was getting feedback that it was boring. So, the next day, when I found out, I was excited, surprised and then I decided I needed to do something special. In the finals, I started with a different anecdote from the speech I did in class. This was because I wanted to beginning to be powerful, for people to listen to what I was trying to convey in the speech. At the finals, I was nervous at the when I stood up to start, but I got over that feeling quickly, and tried to enjoy it – once again, do what I had practiced. To be honest, after making it to the final round, I felt like my mission had been accomplished. It did not occur to me that I could win. It didn’t occur to me until the end, after Ms. Vrba announced it.

Impacting the world...? (Speech)

Compassion Speech -for the Sophomore Speech Contest

Speech Recording:

This is a different version from the one posted above. This one was the 'finals' version.

One day at a time...

In the short-term, my goals are pretty simple to explain, but perhaps a bit harder to peruse. Nonetheless, I plan on reaching them. At this point in my life, I am beginning to think seriously about my future and where I would like to be in a few years time. My answer right now: I don’t know. I am envious of the people who have a passion and know exactly what they want to get out of life. I enjoy doing so many different things; it is hard for me to figure out what I eventually would like to concentrate on. So, right now, I am taking part in everything I love with hopes that the list will narrow down over time. Therefore, right now, in order to make sure that I have a choice to do whatever my passion turns out to be, my short-term goal is to do well in school and become the person I want to be.

I believe that after experiencing certain IB classes, this decision will be easier. I will ask myself, “Which homework do I want to do first?” and “What class am I dreading today?” and based off of my feelings after two years of intense study, I should have a better idea of what I like to do. So, when choosing my IB classes, I am picking a variety of class types – all ones that I currently enjoy. I am planning on taking HL English (because I have always loved English – so that one is a given for me), Art (I like being creative, and no matter what I do, I believe art will play a role in it). I am not sure about my last HL, but I think I am going to take Biology. As far as my SL classes are concerned, I am looking forward to taking ab initio (beginning) Japanese (finally being able to communicate will be wonderful!). I am also going to take SL math because, well, yes…SL. And I think I would find Geography very interesting. This is my plan. My long-term goals consist of what I wrote before – finding what I am good at and what I enjoy. I am planning on going to college in the United States. I love the highly college concentrated area of the east coast – and can imagine myself there. I am already excited! I hope that someday, it all works out. Right now, I am doing all that I can to make it possible, but like Abraham Lincoln said, “the best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time”.