Journal 5- Friday ski pratice

Last Friday for ski practice we took a bus up sinks canyon and then ran up to the falls. It was the perfect temperature outside for running, not to hot, and not to cold. I started out running close behind Shelby, and after awhile Alison passed us and I took up the third place position amongst the girls on our team. We worked our way up to the falls, running on the downhills and flats and ski walking on the uphills. Eventually, we made it up to the falls and took in the beautiful view. From there, we continued up a little ways to the next pool and took a moment to stretch our muscles. Soon Annikki and Kara caught up, and I began the run down with them. On the way down, Kara, Annikki, and I took a moment, to stop at "meditation rock" a huge cliff, off the trail overlooking the river, the falls, and the rest of the canyon. It's our tradition to meditate on this rock when ever we pass by, so we sat down and spent a good 30 seconds meditating at the top of the world. To finish up our meditating, we did some yoga, a quick salute to the moon, and turned back towards the trail to head down to the bus. Once on the trail the rest of the run was a breeze. It was all downhill, so all you had to do was let your legs fall in front of you and you went flying down the canyon. After a few short adventures with ice patches, and lost gloves, Annikki and I made it down the canyon and back to the bus. Soon after, every one else made it back and we headed off towards home. 

Journal 4-ski swap

        This past Saturday morning the ski team held the ski swap and the Kiwanis pancake breakfast, as a fundraiser, so I started out my day by going to the school to wax some skis, buy some ski gear, and eat some pancakes!!!! The ski swap is an annual event in Lander where community members can sell, trade and buy skis, and other winter out door gear. Then, 30 percent of all the sales go to the Lander ski team. Also, the Kiwanis club serves a pancake breakfast, where the proceeds go to the ski team too. During the swap, which lasts from about 7:30 to 11:00, the ski team waxes skis for people at a price of ten dollars a pair. This is a great fundraiser for both the school, and the high plains team, but it is also a lot of fun. This year I spent most of my time waxing skies for other people. It is not the most exciting of jobs, but when you’re with your friends, and have a little music playing it can actually be pretty fun. When I was not waxing skis, I was either eating pancakes (yummy) or looking around the ski swap for gear. I managed to find a good pair of classic boots for only $40; which was perfect because I needed a new pair of classic boots. Finally, after a great day of waxing skies, eating pancakes, and the selling and buying of skies, the ski swap started wrapping up, and I headed home.  

Journal 3-Tree House

        If I could live any kind of house I wanted, I would want to live in a tree house. I love climbing trees, and being surrounded by canopy of leaves, so a tree house would be perfect for me. To get up to my house you would have to climb up a rope ladder that would lead you on to a huge porch. Or, for the people who didn't like climbing rope ladders, there would be a spiral stair case wrapping its way around a tree up to my house. From there you could make your way to and from different rooms in my house using slides, zip-lines, ladders, bridges, and swings. Each room would be full of huge, wide windows with gorgeous views to the world below, and they would all have sunroofs so you could crawl outside and into the branches above. Some rooms would be situated securely in between sturdy branches, however, other rooms would simply hang suspended in the air, so when the wind blew they would rock back and forth. Also, to help bring things up into the tree house I would have a series of pulleys. Hammocks and swings would hang around every where to relax in through out the day, and, when night finally came, I would fall asleep swaying back and forth amongst the trees. 

Slums in Kenya

Mara Gans

English BOE/personal narrative

 Nairobi Slums

 

 

    There are many things we do every day that we take for granted. Each day I flush my toilet, mop my floors, and water my garden with cleaner water than some people have to drink. Three years ago I visited a slum in Nairobi Kenya where this was in fact the case, not only was their water extremely dirty, but they had to struggle just to find it .  Visiting this slum in Nairobi Kenya was a crucial event that affected me in many ways and shaped my identity, making me who I am today.

        During this experience I learned just how lucky I am to be living my life. When I visited the slums I realized how horrible the poverty is that some people are living in. Compared to what they have to go through every day, I should be much more grateful for my current circumstances. This also affected me because now, whenever I am given the chance to donate food, money, shoes, or anything else to third world countries I jump on it, knowing how big of a difference it will make. . Many people don't get to see things like this, but I think it is so important because it teaches us so much about who we are. 

            The first thing I noticed when I entered the slums was the smell. Trash and sewage encrusted the filthy street, creating a horrendous smell that hung, like a shadow, over the slums.  After you eventually grew immune to the smell, you started to notice the rest of the slums. We entered on treacherous roads full of ruts and ridges several feet high. The ridges, however, were not made of piles of dirt, but rather heaps of trash. Streams of sewage trickled down the road, turning it into a mucky mess. Next, I noticed the buildings. Cardboard boxes and wooden shacks, barley holding their ramshackle form lined the streets, looking like the slightest breeze would send them crashing to the ground. Dirt covered everything: the road, the buildings, and the people’s poverty stricken faces. However, the decadence of the slums appearance was not the most significant part of this experience.

The people are what changed me. Here were people living in such poverty that I could have never imagined before. Women walked the streets trying to sell rotten fruit out of moldy boxes, their expressions worsening when people turned them down. Others attended one of the many tumble down shacks that lined the streets, selling anything from mattresses, to pots, to underwear. Their next meal depending upon selling things we would normally find in a dump. Children roamed the streets, playing with scraps of fabric, old tires, and other junk. Hanging about them, their clothes are too big or too small, and there is so much dirt coating them you cannot make out the true color.  The lucky ones have shoes and the holes in their clothes are patched up, but, the rest, face the precarious streets barefoot.

Somehow,  despite all the misery found in this place, people still managed to paint smiles upon their faces and enjoy themselves.  Children played in the streets, and when our van drove by they shouted “How are you, how are you!”  Their sweet little voices were bright yellow sunflowers in a field of ashes. We shouted back, “Good, how are you?” or “Habari Yako.” (Swahili for how are you). It filled me up with so much joy to see their smiling faces waving up at me despite their miserable condition. Later we visited a school, where the children put on a show for us. They sang a song similar to a song I used to sing when I was growing up. We all sang and danced around together, and everyone was happy playing togeter despite the massive differences between the worlds we grew up in.

I took many things away from this experience, but most importantly, I learned that no matter what cards life deals you, you can still do your best and enjoy living. Even when you’re having your nastiest of days, remember, someone has it worse, so instead plant a smile on your face, and wear it proudly because you’re lucky to be alive. In the end, we don’t have to be rich or famous, to have a good life because it’s the simple joys that make us happy.

This visit to the slums was an imperative experience in my life because it helped shape my identity and make me who I am today. I would be a very different person if I hadn’t experienced  this.

 

Ligeia

During the story Ligeia the narrator is constantly discussing and bringing up the character Ligeia, however, I argue that she is not a real character. The first reason that Ligeia is probably not real is that the narrator is on drugs. The narrator states that he "was habitually fettered in the shackles of the drug" (pg. 9.) Therefore, it is very possible that he was merely experiencing an "opium dream" (pg. 9) and did not really see Ligeia.Due to his drug use we also start to doubt how honest he is being with us. Another reason Ligeia might not be a real person is that the narrator "cannot . . . remember how, when or even where" (pg. 1) he met Ligeia. Next, latter on, he realizes that he had "never known the paternal name of her who was . . . [his] friend and. . . finally wife" (Pg. 1.) Is this not a little odd that the narrator could not remember where he had met the love of his life, or even her name? Therefore, it is possible that rather than being a real person Ligeia was merely an idea that the narrator dreamed up to fanaticize about.

WR 6 - Transcendentalism

Research and then discuss the Transcendentalism movement. What was it? Who were the major authors and "players?" How did their beliefs differ from established belief systems, and how did they shape American history?

 

 

                Transcendentalism was a new way of thinking about literature, religion, philosophy, and culture that emerged in New England in the 19th century. This movement was caused by people trying to create a distinctive form of American literature. After becoming independent from England, these transcendentalists were working towards forming a new style of literature, different from that of other countries who had influenced them in the past. This group of people also strived to define spirituality and religion. Many believed that the each person had a soul, conscience, divine spark, or inter light, inside them and therefore focused on the innate worth of an individual. They also focused on the independence of ones mind.

                Among the transcendentalists were several educated authors and other “players.” The start of this movement was influenced with the establishment of the Transcendental Club of Boston, Massachusetts in 1836. Early contributors to this club included essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, author and social reformer Margaret Fuller, Minister Theodore Parker, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau. Although the clubs beliefs were never specifically stated, an anonymous pamphlet, An Essay on Transcendentalism, wrote out common principles of the group. It stated that "Transcendentalism... maintains that man has ideas, that come not through the five senses, or the powers of reasoning, but are either the result of direct revelation from God, his immediate inspiration, or his immanent presence in the spiritual world," it also stated that "it asserts that man has something besides the body of flesh, a spiritual body, with senses to perceive what is true, and right and beautiful, and a natural love for these, as the body for its food."

                Transcendentalists believed that we all have a divine spark, and that we all entered the world as glorious beings, and because "God was in every person"             we were therefore good. However that innocence and purity is lost over time, and in order to reach salvation one must connect once again with the divinity with in them.

                These people were also important reformists of their time, believing in movements such as suffrage for women, free religion, better working conditions, and several other humanitarian causes

The Transcendentalism movement was very important in shaping American History for several reasons. First of all, it helped form free religion in our country. Also, it helped to abolish slavery, and create equal rights for women.

                     Although the transcendentalist movement has ended, many of its morals and values still influence our society today.

  

 

http://www.themystica. com/mystica/articles/t/transcendentalism.html

http://www.transcendentalists.com/what.htm

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0849256.html

http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap4/4intro.html

http://www.wfu.edu/~matthetl/perspectives/nine.html 

http://www.studyworld.com/newsite/reportessay/SocialIssues/Religion%5CThe_Transcendental_Movement-381046.htm 

journal 2-Halloween

    Last weekend was Halloween, and I had a blast trick-or-treating with my friends! I went over to Annikki's house to get ready for trick-or-treating. After and epic adventure to get over there ( I got lost along the way) I made it. Audrey, Sammy, Anna, and Courtney were also there. For my costume I borrowed a one-piece silver spandex suit from Audrey, and I wore Annakki's sunglasses, and a scarf on my head (see margin for picture). Annikki and Anna dressed up like the Wizard of Oz, being the Scare Crow and Dorthy respectively, Courtney was a twister board, Sammy was a Gypsy, and Audrey was, well we're not really sure what.

    We started out our Trick-or-Treating adventure going to Bob the bear guys house. Next, we went to Anna's house, and then we crashed the party at Kara's house. Then, we went to Chris Normans house with Kara, Nick, Camille, and JD. The next stop was Janette Boulett's house where I juggled eggs, and i didn't even drop them. In search of more candy we robbed Sammy's house of all its candy, however all they had was Almond Joys, which was kind of a bummer because I don't like those. We also went to Tony's to look for Bruce, but he wasn't there. Finally, we went to Trey's house, but he didn't even have any candy, bummer. . .  To finish up the night we stopped by Annikki's neighbors house and then returned too Annikki's house to spend the night.

state swimming-journal one

    This weekend was our state swim meet in Gillette. Obviously while we were there I swam a lot, but besides the actual meet I did a lot of fun thinks too. The adventure started when we showed up at practice on Tuesday. Our coaches said that due to a snow storm we might have to leave that night, though we weren't scheduled to depart till the next day. So, after a short practice we rushed home to pack up, and get ready for the meet. Soon we were on the road and headed for Gillette. After a five hour bus ride we showed up in Gillette and settled into our hotel. I shared a room with Ruthie, Gwynnedd, and Sammy.

    The next day we pretty much chilled around all day. We decorated posters, did yoga in the hallway, created a whirlpool in the hotel pool, and watched the hangover. That evening, after a delicious and filling dinner at Pizza Hut, we went and warmed up in the Gillette pool, and people started to get more serious.

    Thursday morning we woke up and got ready to go swim. After an epic shaving party, I was informed that I would be swimming the backstroke in the medley relay. Whoh!! I hadn't swam that all year, but with some helpful visualization and teeth brushing with my team I was ready to go.

    We headed over to the pool, and after an epic 15 minuets of struggling to put my suit on I started warming up. Then things started getting serious. We finished up the weekend with an awesome swim meet and took 2nd place over all. Finlay, we got on the bus and headed back home.

18th centry

Literature is a vital part of our culture and history, and among that history, the literature from the 18th century has played a huge role in the formation of out country today.  

During the early 18th century, America was going through a period known as the Great Awakening, which was a religious revival to try and renew interest in the church. This period was initiated by writer Jonathan Edwards through his sermons and in the philosophical treatise, Freedom of Will. Another author during this period was Coton Mather, who wrote Magnalia Christi Americana, a biography of Puritan New England, and Manuductio ad Ministerium, two books that defended old Puritan convictions. However these authors were defending a lost cause. Latter on in the century rigid Puritanism was replaced with more worldly attitudes and there was less of a focus on religion.

            Another big event that took place during the 18th century was the American Revolution. During this period there were all sorts of important and influential pieces of literature being written. Important colonial writers of this time included Samuel Adams and John Dickinson, and loyalist Joseph Galloway. However even more important were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Pain. Benjamin Franklin wrote  Poor Richard’s Almanac, and Thomas Pain wrote the Pamphlet Common Sense. Both of these documents were very beneficial for expressing the views of the colonists and there relationships with Great Brittan during the colonial times, and for influencing people to want to separate from England.

           Thomas Jefferson was another very important writer of this time. In addition to many other works, he wrote the Declaration of Independence, with out which our country would be a very different place.   

           The next important stage in American literature was during the formation of our new country and government. Many new authors influenced the future of our country through the documents they wrote in this period. For example, The Federalist papers, by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay were a series of essays written to influence people to support the new constitution.

            From Puritan Histories to country changing documents, the 18th century is full of all sorts of important literature that has had a very significant effect on our country.    

 

 

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/19939/American-literature/42250/The-18th-century

WR 5 - due 11/2-

How does technology positively and negatively affect learning? What might be some of the advantages and disadvantages?

    

        Technology has both a positive and negative affect on learning, and there are several advantages and disadvantages of using technology in our learning.

    There are several ways in which Technology has a positive affect on learning. First of all technology can help teach us. There are all sorts of new online classes and programs to help people learn. The advantage to this is that education becomes accessible to more people. Another way new technology can help us is all the new machines that help us learn. For example, smart boards, graphing calculators, and educational movies are all examples of ways that technology can help us learn. These machines help us learn in new ways that were not possible before. The Internet is another technological advancement that has helped our learning. Now students have access to all sorts of useful information to help them learn. Also the Internet opens up all sorts of new possibilities for people to share information easily, and get ideas from other people they may not have normally come in contact with. Therefore technology has a very positive affect on our learning.

    Although, technology can have a positive affect on our learning it can also have a negative affect on it too. For example people might start to use new forms of technology as a crutch, instead of learning something new. For example, with more advanced calculators becoming more accessible it is no longer necessary to have a basic understanding of math. Also, spelling and grammar check on computers make it so you no longer have to know how to spell correctly either. New machines that can translate languages are another example of where new technology can make it so we do not have to learn as much. This could be a disadvantage because as people become more dependent on tools, they are less likely to be able to do something by his or her self. 

    Technology in learning has several advantages and disadvantages that make it have both a positive and negative affect on learning. It is important to use technology to help us learn, but not to the point where it becomes a crutch and we become lazy.