Journal Entry 82: My Last Journal Entry

This is the last entry you will make for this class this year. Take a moment to reflect on the journal writing you have done. Do you think it has been helpful to you? Why or why not? How does it make you feel to look back on your blog and see all the things you have written about?

I think journal writing has been quite helpful to me, because I get to practice my writing skills without having to care about grammar or spelling or how formal I must write. I've always liked to write things down, especially memorable things. Sometimes, when I'm really mad, I can write a very deep essay and when I go back to read it, I'd be like, "OMG, did I really write that myself?!" I also record significant events that happens in my little notebook or on random scrap paper if I have time. I always laugh when I go back and read them, but I'd miss the old days and how free and pressure-free I was. This journal thing we've been doing all year is just like the writing on random paper thing I do, but just more organized and frequent. Looking back on my blog and seeing all the things I've written makes me see how I've improved, somewhat. And it also makes me feel a little sad. It just reminds me of how grade eight is soon going to end, and I seriously don't want that. What if we're not ready to face high school yet? And, in high school, things will be a lot more complicated and we will have a lot more homework and tests too. What if all of us get separated into little cliques? Because that does happen in high school. Anyways, I really like this journal thing we've been doing for this whole grade, and honestly, I think my journals are sounding more and more like talking (just like in my diaries, or scrap papers), instead of essays. I think when I read this blog in the future, I'd think what was wrong with me, and then miss eighth grade terribly. :'(

Journal Entry 81: In Defense of My Treasure

In Walter Dean Myers’s story “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” Lemon Brown risks his life to defend a few items that would be of no value to anyone else. Why do you think he did that? What would you do to protect your treasure? Is there some point at which you would surrender your treasure? What point would that be?


I think Lemon Brown risked his own life to protect items that would be no value to anyone else because those items means even more than his life to him. Even though some people may not understand how such items that seem so insignificant can mean so much to the old man, it means the world to him. I think it also reminds him of his own son who died in the war. His son really meant a lot to him, and he loved him very much, maybe even more than he loved his life. That's why he would protect it with his life. Me, on the other hand, will do ANYTHING to protect my treasure. Because, like I said in my last journal entry, my treasure is my life, and I don't have enything to live for once I lose it... since I can't live without it, literally. I believe there might be some point at which I might surrender my treasure, and that must be when the whole world is meaningless and all my loved ones died or something like that. But, hopefully, that won't happen anytime soon. I think sometimes life may seem really hard and some people think about ending it themselves, but if we just get through it, things will always be better. So, I will not give my my treasure, life, easily. If I MUST lose it, I'd go down FIGHTING for it!

Journal Entry 80: My Treasure

Almost everyone has something that he or she treasures. For some it is gold, jewels, or money, but for most people their special treasure only has value to them. Think about what you value most and describe your treasure. Is it an object? An experience? A relationship? What makes it valuable to you?

I am not quite sure what is most valuable to me. There are many things that are quite important to me, like money, clothes, my family, and things like that. But I guess there is one thing that matters a lot, a lot to me. It's one treasure that is so precious I cannot live on without it. At all. And that treasure (I bet you guessed it), is my life. My life is the most important thing to me, because, without it, I really can't live. Life is very important to me even thougth sometimes it can be hard and horrible, but it's worth it. It is also very precious to me, because that is like the best thing my parents can give me. I't better than a teddy bear, a cell phone, a laptop or a zillion clothes and shoes, or a huge, huge, mansion. My mom went through twelve months of torture just to give me the gift of life! Life is the most important and treasurable thing to me, but there might be things that are even more important to me in the future, something that I'd use my life to defend, but not yet. Right now, life is the most important things to me, and I'll do anything to live on, and enjoy life. After all, I do have a lot of years left! I hope.

Journal Entry 79: My Backround

Everyone’s background is unique. Write down some notes about your own background: where you were born, where you have lived, where you live now, the customs and beliefs of your family, what your parents do, your family history, and anything else you can think of. How do you think your background contributes to who you are today? How does it shape your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes toward life?

My background is pretty boring, boring, and not detailed at all, because my memory is not quite good. I was born in Taiwan and I've lived in Taipei and Hsinchu. My mom is Christian, but my dad is Buddhist. We visit my dad's family more because, well, my mother's family already passed away. Yeah, all of them. So, my sister and I both know more about Buddhism and we're basically Buddhists, because even though my mom is Christian, she stopped going to the church for some reason. I can speak fluent Madarin and can talk awkwardly and understand Taiwanese, because, from what I've heard, I lived with my grandma for a long time when I was younger (like, really, really young. About a few months, I think.) and I also visit them a lot. My mom and dad are both very strict and also my gradparents and I bet also my great-grandparents. Wow, no wonder I'm annoyed all the time. My family has high expectations and stuff which really bothers me. I think it reallyd does affect who I am today. I may be quite lazy, but I do try my best for things that are very important. I also hate wasting money on really expensive things. I think when I was younger, I never spend a single dollar during the field trips. And my mom always compares how my sis likes to spend money to how I spend, and it's pretty hilarious. I think it was because when I was younger, my family wasn't as great as it is now finacially, so I've always appreciated things. But when my sister came around, we are a little bit better, so she gets to break all the toys I carefully protected when I was her age.

Journal Entry 78: Style

How would you describe Toni Cade Bambara’s style in “Raymond’s Run”? How would you compare it to the style of Walter Dean Myers in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown”? Discuss at least two elements of style in your analysis (You may have to refer to your textbook, pp. 530-532, or your Holt Reader p. 171).Write a paragraph—at least 200 words—that explains your answer. Support your ideas with details from the story. Be specific.

I think Toni Cade Bambara's style in "Raymond's Run" sounds kind of like a little girl talking, but that is exactly what she wanted to portray in her story because the narrator is a little girl. The style Walter Dean Myers in "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" is more grown up and serious. His style is more like that because the story is is talking about a more serious topic, and I actually think it's pretty sad.

Journal Entry 77: Slang

In “Raymond’s Run” Squeaky uses a lot of dialect and slang, as does Lemon Brown in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” (the next story we will read). For this journal writing entry, write as many slang expressions as you can think of. Write them, and then tell what they mean, and then give an example by using them in a sentence.

I think there are quite a lot of slangs nowadays, but most of them are just shortened words of things. Girls say things like OMG, IKR, and sometimes SAME. Actually, I think it's kind of annoying sometimes. The worst slang of all might be LOL. Lol basically means laugh out loud, but most of the time when people type that to you, it means they think what you just said is not funny at all and just wants to ignore you. There are too much slangs for me to cover, but I like the kinds that help shorten words like simple ones : u, i, yea, kno, tmr, k, and thx or 10x. Okay, so, examples! OMG, I can't believe you just did that. IKR!!! That's so hilar! Mhm, same, that bag is AWFUL. LOL. OMG obviously means oh my god. IKR is I know right?? Hilar is just hilarious. Mhm is the sound u make when you agree to what others are saying. sometimes, with shortened words, you just have to read it out loud, then you'd get it. And, according to How Stuff Words, in the 2000s, the slangs are:

1. Barney Bag -- a gigantic purse
2. Newbie -- a newcomer; someone who is inexperienced
3. Peeps -- friends; people
4. Rents -- parents
5. Sweet -- beyond cool

This website is pretty great, because it talks about how the slags change overtime. But I don't think it is very accurate:

http://people.howstuffworks.com/53-slang-terms-by-decade.htm

Journal Entry 76: Analogy

An analogy is a comparison of two things to show how they are alike. In “Raymond’s Run” Squeaky uses an analogy to compare her state of mind before running a race to having a dream of flying. For this journal entry, think of some activity you do and create an analogy. For example, “Sometimes trying to get eighth-graders to think is like pulling teeth” (because both are very difficult). You can read Squeaky’s analogy on p. 553 for another example. After you write your analogy, explain it. Make sure that you use more than one sentence—remember the 200 word rule!

I think listening to my mom yelling at me is just listening to the sound my computer makes right before it shuts down and I start to bang my computer against the table. My computer is seriously awful, and, honestly, I think maybe it's just because of what I do to it, not because it is not very new. I always shake the computer when it does something I don't like (like shut down by itself or force shut my internet, or when it can't connect to the internet, but all of my friends' computers can). I also press every single key when it doesn't run fast enough or something like that. I just really really hate my computer. I usually listen to music on my computer, and when it shuts down, the music will start to replay the note it was playing again and again really, really loudly. When that happens, I just swear and bang my computer. Listening to my mom yell at me is just like that, but unlike my computer, it wouldn't end for a long time. It can go on for weeks, and even years, depending on what she's yelling about. Also, unlike my computer, I can't hit her or swear at her, because she's my mom, and there's also a dad who punishes me (as in yell even louder or make me face the wall, or something like that). But still, I guess I'm somewhat glad that she yells at me, or else I'd probably be like some retarded student who doesn't do anything (I think I was like that in 2nd grade for some reason, sadly).

Journal Entry 75: Fighting Words

In “Raymond’s Run,” Squeaky talks about defending her brother, and even getting into fights over things people say about him. Do you think that words are important enough to fight about? Have you ever gotten into an argument or fight because of something someone said about you or about someone you cared about? Is it ever necessary to fight or use violence or threats to defend yourself or someone else? Would you fight to defend your brother, sister, or close friend from another person’s words?

I think words are definitely important enough to fight about. People can be devastated and lose their will to live just because of some harsh words. You may call them a wimp, but still, words can sometimes do even more damage than physically hurting someone. I have gotten into quite a few arguments because of things people say. The major ones usually happen with other girls who are mean and jealous. Jealous girls can say some pretty hurtful things. It's not necessary to use violence and threats just to defend ourselves when other people say mean things to us. The best way to defend ourselves is to think of something even meaner to say to them, embarrass them, secretly plot their downfall, or, if you really can't think of anything else and you have witnesses, you can sue the person. I would start a "war" with someone just because of what they say (not once, but repeatedly). By war, I don't mean real wars, you know, not the ones with weapons and dying, just not talking to each other, glaring, and stuff (ha ha, I just realized that is kind of immature). I really hate it when others say bad things about people I care about, especially if they say it in their (or my) face, because that is just stupid (there are cameras in lots of places and people too who might turn into witnesses) and extremely mean. If their insults are actually legit, then I might not be as angry, but if some particular person hates me just because we share the same name (and that was before she even knew me, for heaven sake) I would ignore that person and doubt that person's intelligence and logic. And hate that person more. Then, eventually, a "war" would start because of the person's weird logic and her love of trying to break friends apart and make them bully ad particular person then fail tragically. In the end, just remember, bullies, if your victims don't get you, karma will. Because karma's a b*tch! (says Gossip Girl ;)

Journal Entry 74: Below The Surface

Squeaky, the narrator of “Raymond’s Run,” is a tough, smart, funny, streetwise girl with strong opinions. She thinks she can tell what other people are like just from the way they look and talk. Like many of us, so sometimes forgets that there’s much more to people that what appears on the surface. Have you ever been surprised to discover something new about someone? Have you ever felt that you have been judged by someone else by what they see on the surface? How did that make you feel?

I think first impressions are never very accurate, and that's why I just use first impressions as a referance, not absolute. I think I have been quite surprised by some of the things I found out people have done. I never thought they would, but I was only surprised because of other things, but not because of how the person acted so differently from my first impressions of them. I think I thought that person looked nice and has good humor, but instead, she was pretty awful and is a very mean person. She hates people for no reason at all. We were best friends before but after I found out something about her, I hated her and avoided her ever since. I think I have been judge by someone based on what they see on the surface. I don't really think it makes me real mad or anything. Just makes me think they're really silly and stupid for thinking I'm that kind of person. And, I love proving them wrong and make them shocked. Oh, and I've also thought a girl who looked kind of nerdy and annoying was not my type of friend, but turns out she was really nice and kind, so we became pretty good friends.

Journal Entry 73: OOPS!

Write a brief narrative about an incident in your life in which a first impression turned out to be wrong or someone you though you knew well did something that surprised you. Explain what happened during this incident and why this incident is important to you.

Well. In fifth grade, our class had this new student who transferred PAS, actually. She was really white and not so pretty. But, I was nice to her anyways because I thought she was pretty nice. We became best friends and told each other everything and hung out all the time. We gossiped, schemed, talked back to teachers, trade books, talked about boys, and made each other friendship bracelets. We were besties and then another girl joined our little "group". Things were still pretty good, and we played games and threw paper with mean stuff on them to people we hate. Soon, fifth grade ended and we happily said bye to each other and promised each other we'd bring gifts from out summer break for each other. When summer ended, I was so excited to see my best friend and talk about what happened to her during the summer. Then we kind of stopped talking to each other because of a really mean note she sent me and yeah well, it was really awful and stuff. She and the other girl became best friends and were really mean to me. I wasn't that stupid and easily bullied, so I made new friends and yeah, (IN THEIR FACES, just kidding) I learned that some people just can't be trusted, and I learned that the hard way. Now, I learned how to judge people carefully and my current friends are all super awesome!

Oh, and by the way, that girl I talked about? The first one was MELISSA, and the other one was JOHANNA.
Yeah, so, Melissa and Johanna, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, I HATE YOU!!! :D haha.

Journal Entry 72: My Tell-Tale Ending

Think about how the story “The Tell-Tale Heart” ends. For most readers it is surprising that the narrator confesses that he murdered the old man. For this journal, assume the role of the narrator and write your own ending starting just after the narrator says “…louder! louder! louder! louder!”

Okay, so here's my ending for the Tell-Tale Heart. I'm not usually the kind of person who likes bloody stuff, but for some reason, this is the first ending I thought of...:

Louder! Louder! Louder! Louder! LOUDER! Dear God!!! "I can not take this anymore! Get out, get out! I said GET OUT!", I yelled loudly at the officers. The officers looked at me with suspicion and started to leave. I tried my best to ignoring the horrible sound and smiled weakly at them, "sorry, I haven't been feeling well lately. I should probably go see a doctor or something..." The officers nodded and told me to go see a doctor soon. As soon as the officers are gone, I shut all the doors and windows, scared that the neighbors would also hear the horrible beating of the old man's heart. Thud, thud, thud, thud... His heart keeps on beating and beating. How is that possible?! I already dislocated his arms and legs and head! How can his heart keep on beating?!?!?! Oh my, is it his soul? Screaming for revenge? Thud, thud, thud, THUD, THUD, THUD... The more I thought about it, the louder his heart seem to be beating. It seems to be yelling, "How can you do this to me? I shall cut off your legs as you did mine. Pull off your murderous arms and cut off your fingers one by one. And then, I shall behead you and pour your blood into the tub as you did mine!!!". The old man kept saying horrible, horrible things. Why, with the vulture eye gone, how can he still so haunting and unbelievably scary. Make it stop! Make him stop! STOP!!!! The voice keeps on taunting me and taunting me. At last, I had no choice but to tried to end this misery by shutting my ears and stopping my heart so I can free myself from this pain. There was no suitable weapon anywhere though! I smashed the huge pane of glass on the old man's wall, and grabbed a jagged piece from the pile of glass. Slowly, the voice starts to fade out as my blood pour out and the carpet slowly turning red. And then, silence.

Oh my god, that was the creepiest thing I've ever written (oooh, and that's so dramatic!). I'm going to have nightmares...

Journal Entry 71: Hints and Foreshadowing

“The Tell-Tale Heart” has a strong sense of dramatic irony: the narrator keeps claiming to be sane, but the reader become increasingly certain that he is insane. What details give you clues or hints that he is insane? How does the opening paragraph foreshadow the events that will happen later in the story? Can you describe the overall feeling or mood of the story?

We can tell that the narrator is crazy because he keeps on talking to himself. He also wants to kill someone just because he thought that person's eye is like a vulture's and makes his blood cold. He also ENJOYS cutting off hands and legs of a corpse, and laughs when he talks about how he's so smart that he dumped the old man's blood into a tub. The opening paragraph foreshadows the events that happens later on in the story by showing us how mad the narrator really is. The narrator also talks about how he can hear things from heaven and hell, which foreshadows that his "hearing abilities" might make him go even madder. He also talks about how nervous he was, and since we know he is pretty much the craziest guy I've ever heard of, he is probably planning to do something so horrible that even a mad man can be nervous about. The overall feeling or mood of the story is probably just creepy and disgusting (the killing part and bloody things). I just basically makes me want to first scream and then puke. This story is also very suspenseful, and keeps the readers on edge. So, even though this story disgusts and scares me, it's interesting enough to keep me entertained and reading.

Journal Entry 70: Narrator

We rely on the narrator to tell us what is going on in a story, but what if we can’t trust the narrator? For example, in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” what clues does the author give us that the narrator is unreliable? Why would an author create an unreliable narrator? Can you think of other stories you have read in which the narrator cannot be trusted? What about in real life? How can you tell if you can believe a person who is telling you a (real or not) story?

Sometimes, we really can't trust the narrator, because what he or she thinks might not be true and correct, and might lead the audience to believe the wrong things. In "The Tell-Tale Heart", we can tell that the narrator is not to be trusted, because he keeps on saying he is not mad, but everything he says just proves that he has lost his mind. I think the author created the unreliable narrator and make them say the wrong things to prove just how wrong they really are. Like in "The Tell-Tale Heart", the narrator is not reliable and keeps on saying that he is sane, but instead, it just proves how seriously mentally unstable he is. I think I've never really read any other story that has a narrator as unreliable as the narrator in "The Tell-Tale Heart" though. In real life, people do tell a lot of very unrealistic stories and you can definitely tell that they are making it up and it's not true. An easy way to tell if someone is reliable is to just find out about his or her previous records and how trustworthy he or she is. I think someone told me before that a great way to tell if someone is lying is to just look into their eyes. But, a person can be an unreliable narrator even if they are not lying, because they might have wrong beliefs. Like for example, a little kid might say that pranking their siblings is a nice and fun thing, but you know it's not.

Journal Entry 69: Scary Stories

“The Tell-Tale Heart,” which we will be reading next, is a horror story. The author of the story, Edgar Allen Poe, is often given credit for inventing the modern horror genre. What elements do you think are necessary for a story to be scary, to be a horror story? What kinds of things are scary to you? Can you name other stories, movies, books, or real-life events that scare you? Why do you think some things are frightening?

I think suspension is the most important element for a story to be scary. Even if what happens isn't really that scary, the suspension can keep the audience on edge and ready to scream. A LOT of things are very, very scary to me. A lot of supernatural things like ghosts, zombies, mummies, werewolves, and so on and so on. Blood, guts, and insects also scares and disgusts me. A lot. Most of the famous horror movies are pretty scary. The ones I watched with my classmates during graduation trip were all very, very scary. The movies I thought were scary were: The Grudge, One Missed Call, The Ring, Insidious, and Hunting (or haunting, I forgot) in Connecticut. Those were really, really scary (even the guys screamed like little girls, ha ha). Books can be really scary too, but I generally avoid those kind of books, so I don't know many scary books. I think supernatural things terrify me because they are mysterious, and there are so many rumors about them that we kind of fear them even though we know nothing about them. Movies about paranormal things, however, are basically scarier because of the sound effect they use. For example, Insidious has a really good sound effect, so we were almost always screaming. Sound effects builds up the tension too. I think blood, guts, and insects are scary because I just can't stand them, especially my own blood (ugh). I guess I'm just not very used to seeing what's inside of me. Ewwww... Wait, I think maybe I'm not scared of blood, guts and insects, just disgusted by them. Oh well.

Journal Entry 68: My Style

A person’s style is the way he or she thinks about him or herself, as well as how he/she presents him/herself to the world. Describe your personal style. How do you dress, walk, talk, act, and think? Are you energetic? Lazy? Fashionable? Neat and tidy, or sloppy? What music do you like? Are you cool or a nerd?

I'm not exactly sure if I have a style or not. I think I'm more of the casual and whatever kind of person. I dress casually too, but not sloppily. Just simple jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers on, and sometimes sporty stuff for PE or basketball practice. I don't really know how I walk or talk or act, maybe just like any other normal fourteen year old girl. I'm pretty energetic and I always work hard... to get things I really, really want. Since we're still in eighth grade, I figured there's no need to be fashionable yet, so, nope, I'm not fashionable. I'm pretty neat at school, but, oh, you should see my room. My mom said it's the messiest place in out whole house, but I think maybe all teens have rooms like mine (I do not think it needs any tidying up, mom). As for music, I basically like any music that sounds nice. I like those with melody and then rap and then melody, those are usually quite good. I also like really cute songs and basically every type of song depending on my mood. I don't really think I'm a nerd (at least I hope not), because I do not study a lot (don't tell my parents :P), so, yeah, I don't think I'm a nerd. Not am I a jock, because I'm not stupid (people say jocks are generally not smart and gets low grades).

Journal Entry 67: Betrayal

How is the speaker in Dwight Okita’s poem, “In Response to Executive Order 9066,” betrayed by her friend? How does she respond to the betrayal? What does her response mean? Do you feel that it was an effective response? Why or why not? Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend? Describe the situation and how you felt about and responded to it.

The narrator in "In Response to Executive Order 9066" was betrayed by her best friend, Denise. Denise and the narrator used to be best friend, but when she heard about the executive order, Denise sat far away from her and blamed her for "giving secrets to the enemy" when the narrator probably never did. She gives her friend some tomato seeds in return and told her friend that when the first tomato ripens, she'll think of her. I think that her response means that even though her friend betrayed her, she still hopes that she will remember her and miss her when she's gone. I think it was not an effective response, because her friend BETRAYED her. I think she should have yelled at Denise or glare at her or curse her. Well, not a long time ago, I told a friend something that I told him not to tell anyone else. Then, another friend of mine told me my friend told him the secret. I then asked the first person if he really DID tell him and he denied, but then my other friend told me that the first person just told him that I asked him if he told him. It was pretty complicated and annoying. I really didn't know who to believe. It was very confusing, but in the end, I found out that all was just misunderstanding and the guy doesn't even really know the "secret". Quite funny, actually, but I did feel betrayed before I found out the whole story.

Journal 66: Real American

What details in Dwight Okita’s poem, “In Response to Executive Order 9066,” show that the speaker feels she is a real American? Why do you think she chose to include those details? Are they convincing? Why or why not? If you had to prove that you were a “real” Taiwanese (or whatever nationality you identify with), what kind of details would you include in your self-description? Why would you choose those details?

She says that she always feels funny using chopsticks and she likes to eat hot dogs. It shows that she's a real American because Japanese people don't usually like hot dogs and they can all use chopsticks. I think she chose to include those details because she really wants people to believe she's a true American and it was very unfair to make the Japanese go to the camps. They are quite convincing, because hot dogs are normally American food, and her not knowing how to use a chopstick proves that she's not a real Japanese. If I had to prove that I was a real Taiwanese, then I think I'll just say that I'm able to speak both Mandarin and Taiwanese, and that my dad is a Taiwanese and that I grow up in Taiwan. Maybe also that I think red is a cursed color (not really, but it's a Taiwanese "belief") and that STINKY TOFU IS THE MOST DELICIOUS THING EVER! Just kidding. It's okay, I guess, but I just don't get why foreigners hate it so much, it's not that bad after all. I'd also say that I like going to the night market in Taiwan even thought I don't go that much, and I get red envelopes. I chose these details because in Taiwan, people believe that red is a bad color and if you write your name with a red pen, you'll die or something. Taiwanese people must also either know how to speak both mandarin and Taiwanese or just know how to speak Taiwanese. My dad is a Taiwanese and my mom is Chinese and I grow up in Taiwan, so I guess I'm a two-thirds Taiwanese person. Stinky tofu is really a signature dish from the famous night markets in Taiwan, but a lot of foreigners hate it. So that shows that I like the unique food of Taiwan, and that I'm a real Taiwanese.

Journal Entry 65: General Conditions

Find several details that describe the conditions in Camp Harmony. Using these details make a generalization about Japanese internment camps in the US during World War II. Then, make one or more generalizations about all camps (including Camp PAS). Explain why you think your generalizations are accurate.

Camp Harmony is basically an "internment" camp where people of the same race go there to be bossed around by other racist people and forced to work and work and work. Some internment camps like the Nazi's of whatever even tries to kill off people. First by trying to work them to death, but after finding out that's not fast enough, they tried using gas chambers and other really cruel things. Camp Harmony is very boring and there are a lot of people there. The camp is also surrounded by barbed wires to keep the people in the camp from escaping, which is a very mean thing to do. It's like they're prisoners or something, because usually, fences are supposed to keep things "out", not "in". All Japanese internment camps in the US during the World War II is probably just like Camp Harmony, boring, insulting, and very, very crowded. Even thought my generalization of internment camps might be true, it might not be true for other camps though. A generalization for all camps, is probably only that it's some kind of event where people gather and do things together. And, there are always supervisors for camps. Also, that all camps kind of change people. For example, in our Camp PAS, people make friends and get to know one another, and in some summer camps, people or kids learn survival skills or academic things or just social skills. In internment camps, for example, people also change. They might lose hope and have lower self-esteem because of the way they were treated.

Journal Entry 64: Camp Harmony

Monica Sone, the author of “Camp Harmony,” says her camp “was hopefully called Camp Harmony” (p. 470). What does “harmony” mean? Do you think the name is appropriate? Why do you think Sone used the adjective “hopefully” to describe the name? If you had to give the camp a name, what would you call it? Why?

Harmony can have two meanings. One is about music, and it's basically notes played at the same time that sounds nice and pleasing. The other meaning is basically just things that go well together and is pleasant. According to Dictionary.com, harmony means agreement, accord; a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangements of parts; congruity; simultaneous combination of tones; agreement; accord; harmonious relations; or an arrangement of the contents of the Gospels, either of allfour or of the first three, designed to show their parallelism,mutual relations, and differences. I don't think the name of Camp Harmony was appropriate at all, because it is seriously an awful, awful place. It's cheap and it's just there because of racism. Plus, those Japanese were forced to live there, so it's not really "pleasant". That place even has barbed wired fences to keep them in! I think Sone used the adjective "hopefully" because the camp is really awfully, and it's hopefully named Camp Harmony even though it's not harmonious at all. The people that named the camp probably also "hope" the Japanese living there will behave and believe it's really a pleasant and awesome place. If I could name the camp, I'd name it Camp Awful, because I'm a straightforward person and the camp is just simply awful.

Journal Entry 63: Camp Pictures

Look at the pictures on pages 471 and 476. Choose one and describe what you see. Then write about what you think it would be like to live in that place. Would it be similar to how you live now, or different? Explain.

I chose the picture on page 471. I see a lot of houses on the side a of very broad road in the picture. The houses look very empty and not very big. The houses also have a green roof. The sky is very blue. The place looks really empty though, and it seems as if nothing's happening there at all. It looks like it's deserted and there's one person in the picture. There's also a stop sign in the picture and there are some telephone poles. It is not similar to how I live now at all. I live in a community, you see. Our community is pretty crowded too, there are like around 100 houses in our whole community and three tall buildings or apartments. There are always some people walking around, since our community is quite very big. The place in the picture looks like it's empty and super simple. It seems as if nothing will ever happen there and it looks like a pretty awfully boring place to live in. I bet there are no computers or any electronic devices (except for telephone, maybe, since there are telephone poles after all) and there are no cars at all! I cannot believe that. In my community, there are always cars driving around and parked along the roads or something. It's really weird, but the good thing is that I think the people living in the picture don't have to go to school! Because who would bother about school if they live in that kind of place? So, that's pretty awesome! I also think it'll probably be really inconvenient living there, because there are no cars and there aren't much stores around the place. In our community, there's a convenient store just next to our community and lots of other stuff near. So the place is the picture is VERY different from the place I live.

Journal Entry 62: Spring Break

Write about how you spent your time over Spring Break. Did you do what you wanted to do, or were there things you wanted to do but didn’t get to? Write about how happy you are to be back in school.

I went to Bali the graduation trip and it was AWESOME. We were really crazy there and thankfully there weren't a lot of people their to witness us being so weird and very, very childish. We stayed up until three and it was really, really fun! The first day, we were just playing cards and truth or dare and normal things like that. The following days though, we were singing (he he) and watching quite a lot of scary movies. Ha ha! I enjoy hearing all the guys scream, because their whole facial expressions and the way they jump a mile back is just priceless. We went swimming every single day, and we insulted an Australian guy in Chinese because he was very cocky and thinks we're not as good as he is (which is so not true and simply makes him look even stupider!). We played basketball and soccer there, went snorkeling (it was really beautiful, but someone stepped on the coral reef!!!), SHOPPING, a lot of other really fun things that I can't recall right now! It was really, really, really, fun! I'm not happy about coming back to school AT ALL. NOT HAPPY AT ALL, because school means homework which means no fun time which means parents making me go to bed early. Oh, and I got sick too.

Journal Entry 61: Film v Book

Compare and contrast the film version of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet with the novel version. How are they alike? How are they different? What can an author do with a novel that a filmmaker cannot do? What can a filmmaker do that an author cannot? What is it about each medium that makes it able to tell a story in a special way?

We haven't finish the movie yet, so I'm just going to compare the book with some parts of the movie. Some events that happened in the movie is a little bit different from the book, even though what they're trying to show might be the same. For example, in my imagination, the forest was grander, and Brian's house was right next to the lake. Also, when the pilot died, the whole plane was supposed to stink and the pilot was supposed to fart first. I also thought that Brian's hatchet would be a bit larger, because the hatchet in the movie seem so small that it looks like it can't even cut branches. The movie also added some random stuff, like the bear attacking Brian. In the book, the bear never touched Brian at all and actually "helped" Brian find more food. Another weird and disgusting thing the movie added was Brian eating worms (mayjor ewwwww), Brian never ate any worms in the book and I wonder if the movie will show Brian eating turtle eggs (another ewww), but I think maybe the director used worms instead of turtle eggs because bugs are much cheaper. Authors can have all the time to entertain readers and let them use their imagination to "see" the story. Everyone's version of the story might be a little different, yet everyone's version is the best version to themselves, unlike movies. Most people think the books are so much better than books when they read the book first. Books are so much better, even though it may not have any visual effects, but you can imagine them! Filmmakers can restrict what people see, unlike books, and I think that may sometimes be a good thing, but it rarely is. 

Journal Entry 60: Hip-Hop Language

Pick an ordinary, everyday activity and write about it in “hip-hop language”. Remember to use “gangsta” words—it should sound street-wise and tough, as well as a bit arrogant.

Hizzle, Howzzle yall homies poppin' n crackin' today, nigga? Got no idea how to act gangta, ya know? Y'all know I ain't no good at being a gangsta cuz ma pants ain't saggin n I'm in no gang. So, don't go talkin trash bout ma attempt and don't diss me, y know I really did ma best. I was chillin' with my homie, and I learned that gangstas curse in every sentence n don't give much beep to grammar. Fo' ya information, this journal's gonna be real random. Sometimes, if ma test scores were wack, my mom would ice me, and ground me so I can't chill with ma G (I think that's supposed to mean "friend"), which is real sad cuz I don't like gettin stuck in ma crib (that's supposed to mean home, for some reason). N y'all know who's da ghetto singer dat everyone hates, right? Yeah, that's right, it's that foo' n I ain't gonna say his name, cuz I don't wanna offend nobody. I also want my own phat lowrider (good car) fo' me to go cruisin' with ma homies, it's real word (cool). I ain't got no love fo' homework, but I've got a lot of love for sweets. They are just real sick (yummy), ya know? So now I gotta go get some of 'em and I also learned that I'll never be qualified for a gangsta, but gangstas get chased by honky pigs (apparently, they also call cops that...). 

Journal Entry 59: Epic Language

Pick an ordinary, everyday activity and write about it in “epic language”. Remember to use “fancy” words—it should sound formal and elegant.

Going to School

I wake up in the morning, the start of another miraculous day. The glorious rays sun shines through my windows, light up my room and enlivens me. I brush my teeth until they are dazzling white. I unhurriedly pick out my outfits. What shall it be? Casual, dressy, normal tees, or crop tees? Cardigan, shrugs, blazer, or hoodie? The immeasurable and everlasting choices. Oh, when can I ever finish deciding? After I've finally come to decision, oh my, it's already 6:30! I gracefully waltz down the stairs, and devoured my breakfast in 1 minute, then dashed to my lavatory. I hastily smoothed out my hair, adding a headband or some fancy clips, and flew down to steps to take the school bus. The bus was on time, eagerly waiting for me to board. I carefully sat down on the seat, for I did not want to ruffle my precious and holy hair. After a while of sitting upright, I gave in and leaned on the soft and snug headrest. I fell asleep dreaming of nothing in particular, for it was the start of another wondrous day, so I have no need to dream since the day will be perfect and extraordinary anyways. Regrettably, I did not care to think about the horrid and unbelievably cruel amount of homework my teachers are going to give me, just like this arduous and troublesome journal. How, just how, can we write so elegantly, when we speak in such common ways in our everyday conversations?

Journal Entry 58: Lucky?

In Hatchet, Brian says that his survival is dependent on luck more than anything else. Do you think this is true? How much does Brian’s past experience and knowledge also play a part? Does he develop new knowledge that helps him survive? What about your own experience? Have you ever gotten out of a difficult situation simply by luck?

I think some events in that happened to Brian do depend on luck, but his past experiences and knowledge play the most part. Some events, like being able to spot a lake and land on it, instead of having to land among trees (and possibly get killed instead of that). Truthfully, though, a lot of things that happened to Brian is because of bad luck. Like getting on a plane driven by a pilot that gets a heart attack, unable to get connection from the radio (on the plane), and also being attacked by the moose, then not being spotted and left behind by a plane. Although he was pretty unlucky, he is kind of lucky too, because he was able to find shelter in the "cave" and also crash when it's not in the winter, or else he might have just freeze to death. His past experiences and knowledge definitely did play a part, in fact, it played the most part. Him recognizing the turtles' eggs helped him gain more food, and also his past experiences of what is needed to make a fire. Brian does develop new knowledge that helped him survive, like being more aware of things around him and also some things that indicate what might happen (if the skies are scattered...). I have gotten out of situations that aren't too difficult by luck before. Well, last time I had a swimming class, I was very, very tired after swimming about 2000 meters, but the coach was making us do sprints and relay. Luckily, I didn't have to finish it because I cramped my calf during the sprint. Honestly, I'd call getting a cramp bad luck, but it kind of is good luck as well, because at least I got to sit by the swimming pool and watch my classmates getting tortured!

Ha ha, I'm evil.

Journal Entry 57: What Makes Fire

In Hatchet, Brian has to rely on what he has learned in school, while playing, watching television, and observing what is around him. One of the things he has learned about is the conditions necessary to make a fire. List the tree things Brian knew he needed and explain what each thing means. Describe the two ways Brian tried to make fire and how he needed all of the conditions listed above. What might have been lacking when he attempted to start the fire. Why couldn’t he start a fire by rubbing the sticks together?

The three things Brian knew he needed for building a fire are oxygen, heat and also something flammable that fire can burn on. Fire obviously must need oxygen, because without oxygen, it can not burn at all, and that's why it's better to live in space because there is no possibilities of causing a fire! Fire also needs heat, because if it's not hot, then there wouldn't be fire at all. Fire also creates warmth, but it needs heat to create it first. Having a spark because you have oxygen and heat is easy, but to be able to make a spark turn into fire that burns is much harder, like Brian found out. In order to keep a fire burning, you need something the fire can burn on, like paper, and it has to be dry and, well, just like paper. The first time, Brian tried to make fire by creating heat using friction. He failed because there was not enough heat, and it'd take him days to make the heat just right and also, he wouldn't be able to keep the fire for long because there's nothing the fire can burn on. Then, Brian tried making a fire using grass and twigs as the things for the fire to burn on. That, too, did not work well, because the material wasn't right, and he needed something finer, like paper. He then ripped his money into pieces, but the fire only lasted a little while because there wasn't enough things for the fire to burn on. Finally, he goes out to collect suitable wood and he finally makes a decent fire and is able to keep it burning for a long period of time.

Journal Entry 56: Lost in the Woods

What would you do if you were suddenly lost in the wilderness? Do you know any survival tactics? How would the environment affect your ability to survive? For example, how would being lost in a forest be different from being lost in a desert? Or in the mountains? Describe the place you are “lost,” and then describe step-by-step what you would do to survive and find your way home.

If I was suddenly lost in the wilderness, I'd panic and then probably scream. After screaming, I'd probably stop and think about everything and the possibility of dying and also how long I might last. I don't know a lot of survival tactics, and I am really, really, really, scared of any insects, seriously, any at all! I think the ideal place to be lost in is somewhere people go camping and left small houses and supplies there. Ha, I know that's pretty lame, but, I don't have much skills. If I was lost in a forest, I'd probably scream every minute because of all the bugs, but I might have a better chance of surviving because there're more resources. If I was lost in a desert though, unless I accidentally find an oasis, I'll be dead in 2 days. If I was lost anywhere while it's snowing, I'd more likely die in 2 hours, because I'll just freeze to death. If I were lost, I would most definitely not make it back to my home. Yes, I know I'm a little pessimist here, but that is just the truth. I, Janet Lin, would never find my way back home if I were lost in the wilderness like Brian.

Journa Entry 55: Personal Assets

In Hatchet, Brian survives a plane crash and struggles to stay alive while lost in the wilderness. What personal assets does he have that help him survive? What personal attributes does he have to overcome? What are your greatest assets? How might these assets help you succeed in life? What personal assets do you have that might help you survive in the wilderness? Do you think you have any qualities that might hinder your survival rather than help it?

Some person assets that helped Brian is that he is very determined, smart, and optimistic (most of the time). His being very determined helped him survive, because he was very determined not to give up and to survive. He's also quite smart because he knew how to make ladders and weapons with just his hatchet and shoe laces. He was also optimistic, thinking that planes will come rescue him, and that was like his motive for living and working. He was a city boy though, so he doesn't really know much about the wilderness and is inexperienced. He is used to having food that's prepared by others and having everything set up and prepared for him. He also has a "secret" to worry about and he is kind of depressed by it. My greatest asset is probably that I've gone camping quite a few times in my life, so I guess I have some experience with the wilderness, and I also read a little about natures and animals. I do have a lot of qualities that might hinder my survival though. First of all, I am not very determined and I might easily give up if I were Brian. And, I don't think I would've done anything when the pilot had an heart attack. But, unlike Brian, I'd give up on all hope when the other person he tried to talk to before the plane crashed stop talking. I also am VERY afraid of some animals and insects of all kinds. So, truth to be told, I don't think I'll survive at all in the wilderness.

Journal Entry 54: Solving Problems

In Hatchet Brian finds himself confronted with a number of serious problems that he has to overcome. He solves many of the problems by calling on something he has learned earlier in life, like when the pilot showed him how to steer the plane, or things his teachers taught him. Have you ever learned something from someone, or from a book, from television, or from a movie and used that knowledge in your own life? Describe how you used previous knowledge to solve a real-life problem.

I can't really think of anything in particular that I learned and then used to solve real-life problems, but I've definitely tried a few funny pranks in some of the books I've read. It's really funny and much more interesting to see how people really react to pranks (gosh, I'm a mean person!). Even though it was fun, I kind of learned that the person (or people) being prank'd might not find it as amusing as I do... Some other things that are really useful I learned from books (not textbooks) are: how to deal with peer pressure (really useful) and how to ignore people like boys and hateful "not-very-smart" people. I definitely don't find math useful. I mean, why would we need to learn algebra and all those complicated equations when really, in real life, all we need to know is basic adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing? After all, we're just kids, we're not going to fix computers or invent a time machine! Seriously, I have nothing against math, personally, I think it's awesome and brings up my grades, but I just don't see how it can be useful. English is pretty useful though. Even though I probably won't grow up to be a writer, I can still use really deep and hard words to intimidate people or insult them (ha ha!). Science is quite useful too. It taught me that washing my hands with just water will make my hands dirtier than if I don't wash is at all. So, now I'd either use soap or not wash at all (just kidding, only use soap to wash.). Even though the things we learn may seem insignificant and useless to us now, I think it will definitely be handy in the future, at least I hope so... :)

Journal Entry 53: Triolet

Triolet, is one of the fixed forms of verse invented in medieval France, and has been preserved in the practice of many modern literatures. It consists of eight short lines on two rhymes, arranged a b a a a b a b. The first line reappears as the fourth line, and the seventh and eighth lines repeat the opening couplet; the first line, therefore, is repeated three times, and hence the name. Although originally a serious poetic style, triolets are now generally short, humorous poems.
Line 1 and 2 make an observation
Line 3 rhymes with line A
Line 4 is line 1 repeated
In the second stanza line 5 and 6 involve a twist, change of view, or add another idea.
Line 5 rhymes with line A
Line 6 rhymes with line B
Line 7 repeats line A
Line 8 repeats line B

PE (btw, this is not serious, I personally love PE)

After PE, especially when it's hot,

everyone smells extremely unpleasant.

But some even smell like rot,

after PE, especially when it's hot.

Combined with the injuries we got,

PE is just like an unwanted present.

After PE, especially when it's hot,

everyone smells extremely unpleasant.

Prince Charming is who every girl seek,

and to have a happily ever after with.

A guy that buys us roses every week,

Prince Charming is who every girl seek.

But all the guys we know are too meek.

Perhaps Prince Charming's just a myth.

Prince Charming is who every girl seek,

and to have a happily ever after with.

... not. LOL (Just kidding. No offense to every single guy I've ever known!)

Journal Entry 52: You and Nature

Nineteenth-century writers like John Keats, author of “On the Grasshopper and the Cricket,” shared their ideas and feelings about nature. How do you feel about nature? What do you see in nature that scares or disgusts you? What secnes, creatures, and patterns in nature fill you with wonder and awe? Think about the natural world and write down some of your thoughts.

I've never been particularly fond of nature. I actually really hate insects and a lot of other animals too. I just like to be in nature, but still be safe and distant from other living things. I sometimes like lying down in the grass, but as soon as I think about all the insects and worms crawling around me, and possibly climb into my clothes or something, I'd shudder and jump up as fast as I can. Even though I don't like the creatures in mature, I guess I still like nature. Nature is calming, and whenever I'm surrounded by nature, I feel like there's nothing in the world I should ever worry about. I love feeling the wave makes me sway when I'm in the ocean and I also love how beautiful it is when it snows, the way the whole earth seems to be covered in a white blanket, it's just so magical (and there're no insects!!!). Even though I do dislike some creatures of nature, like birds and their sharp claws, I still admire the way they live their life. They don't need to worry about unnecessary things like their grades and stuff; all they need to worry about is food. And they're so free, no one is telling them what to do and what not to. Although nature may seem beautiful, mysterious, and holy, it still has some scary sides. Like it can flood our homes in seconds with a tsunami or a lot of rain, and make a building topple with the force of an earthquake. Nevertheless, nature is beautiful and should be respected.

Journal Entry 51: Limerick

For today's journal you are to write three limericks. For instructions on how to write a limerick, go to this website: http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poetryclass/limerickcontesthelp.html
Here's and example:
The limerick packs laughs anatomical
In space that is quite economical,
But the good ones I've seen
So seldom are clean,
And the clean ones so seldom are comical.


There once was a young girl named Janet,
who lives on a blue-green planet.
She lives in a house,
Where there are no mouse,
And she also likes granats.

There once was a guy who can't write,
and he also has a bad eyesight.
He tried staring at sun,
and using a gun,
so now he is not alright.

I really don't know what to write,
so I guess I shall go fly a kite.
This doesn't make sense,
and it's not in past tense,
and now I shall say my "Good night"!


...yeah, I finally finished this. Too bad my limericks are horrible. XD

Journal Entry 50: Tanka Poem

The Tanka poem is very similar to haiku, but Tanka poems have more syllables and they use simile, metaphor and personification. There is no rhyme scheme, and it is written in free verse, which is to say there is no specific pattern of stress, feet, or meter. It has very few distinct rules or boundaries. The only rule with a Tanka poem is that it has to have five lines and the five lines have to have the correct number of syllables. Here is an example of a Tanka poem:

Line one - 5 syllables	Beautiful mountains
Line two - 7 syllables	Rivers with cold, cold water.
Line three - 5 syllables	White cold snow on rocks
Line four - 7 syllables	Trees over the place with frost
Line five - 7 syllables	White sparkly snow everywhere.

Please write three Tanka poems. Choose themes from above, or come up with your own theme. When you write your Tankas, try to make a very clear picture of something, some place, some event, or some person in your mind. Really visualize it—its colors, sounds shapes, motions, smells, and any other sensations you can remember. Don’t start to write until you can see a picture in your mind.


Homework is torture
Can't decide whether to do
homework or sleeping
I think I like sleeping more,
but I have to do homework.

Dinner was awesome.
We had some leftovers and
some frozen pizzas.
Frizzling coke with my sister's spit,
because we were arguing.

Poetry is hard.
They hide, and I never find them.
I spend hours trying.
It's like playing hide and seek,
with someone that I can't see.

Journal Entry 49: Cinquain Poem

A cinquain poem has five lines. The word comes from the French cinq, which means five. Cinquains are similar to haiku in that the rules for writing them are based on syllables. Cinquain poems have the following pattern:
Line 1 - 2 syllables
Line 2 - 4 syllables
Line 3 - 6 syllables
Line 4 - 8 syllables
Line 5 - 2 syllables
An alternate version of the cinquain poem, often called a “word cinquain” is based on words, instead of syllables. “Word cinquains” have the following pattern:
Line 1 - 1 word
Line 2 - 2 words
Line 3 - 3 words
Line 4 - 4 words
Line 5 - 1 word
There are no specific rules about writing a cinquain other than that it must have five lines and the correct syllable count (or, if writing a word cinquain, the correct word count). However, as with haiku, there are many suggestions for writing a good cinquain. Most poets feel that it is better to stick with concrete objects than with abstract ideas (“My Dog” rather than “Happiness”). It is also true that mixing the emphasis of the syllables (or words) will create a stronger effect than writing a string of words with similar lengths and emphasis. Other poetic devices such as assonance and alliteration can be used to help make your cinquain poem memorable. Organizing the ideas in your cinquain to follow the order below is another suggestion:
Line 1 – Title (2 syllables or 1word)
Line 2 - Description of the title (4 syllables or 2 words)
Line 3 - Some action about the title (6 syllables or 3 words)
Line 4 - Feeling about the title (8 syllables or 4 words)
Line 5 - Synonym (similar word) for title (2 syllables or 1 word)
Write at least three cinquain poems in order to receive full credit for this journal entry.

Fire

Burns brightly

Just like hope

And Brings Us Warmth

Flames

Friends

Supports us

And loves us

Always there for us

Buddies

Enemies

Hate them

Learn from them

May possibly become friends

Rival

Journal Entry 48: Haiku

Haiku is a poetic form and a type of poetry from the Japanese culture. It often revolves around nature and natural things in the universe. Haiku combines form, content, and language in a meaningful, yet compact form. Haiku poets, which you will soon be, write about everyday things. Many themes include nature, feelings, or experiences. Usually they use simple words and grammar. The most common form for Haiku is three short lines. The first line usually contains five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables. Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku must "paint" a mental image in the reader's mind. This is the challenge of Haiku - to put the poem's meaning and imagery in the reader's mind in ONLY 17 syllables over just three (3) lines of poetry!

My yearbook photo:

photographer waits until

I blink to snap pic. :(

I just adore math.

It's so fun and interesting.

Gives me Cs and Ds. :D

Sun burning my cheeks,

and sweat soaking through my clothes,

oh, how I love sports. :)

Journal 47: Diamante Poem

Think of a subject for your poem. Start with a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea). Then think of something that contrasts with it or is opposite to it. Once you have these two parts, you are ready to write a diamante poem. The poem is called diamante because it is shaped like a diamond. The lines are arranged like this:
1. One word (your subject)
2. Two words (adjectives that describe line 1)
3. Three words (action verbs related to line 1)
4. Four words (nouns: first two relate to line 1, second two relate to line 7)
5. Three words (action verbs related to line 7)
6. Two words (adjectives that describe line 7)
7. One word (the word that contrasts with your subject)
Write at least three diamante poems (this is a bargain—only 48 words instead of 200!).

LIGHT VS DARK

Light :)

Bright, Good

Warming, Glowing, Shining

Heat, Hope, Horror, Hatred  

Threatening, Lurking, Obscuring

Menace, Evil

Dark :(

SNEAKERS VS HIGH HEELS

Sneakers :)

Comfy, Cute

Walking, Running, Jump

Sports, Shoes, Pain, "The Plastics"

Limiting, Numbing, Hobbling

Scary, Stupid

High Heels :(

ME VS MY SISTER

Me :)

Awesome, Smart

Chat, Read, Play Sports

Jeans, T-shirts, Dresses, Tiaras

Scream, Giggle, Show off

Girly-girl, Not Awesome

My Sister :(

Journal Entry 46: Acrostic

Today you will write an acrostic poem. Start by writing the letters of your first and last name down the left margin of your paper. Then use those letters to start short sentences or phrases about yourself. When you finish the poem about yourself, write another one about someone else using the same form. Choose anyone you want, real or fictional.

MY NAME:

Just simply awesome.

Absolutely the best student ever!
Never mean to her friends :)
Energetic when she's not tired.
Talkative in Algebra because she thinks it's very boring.

Likes to watch movies and shopping.

Impossible to be mad at, because she is just so awesome.

Near-sighted, but wears contact lenses (at night).

ANOTHER NAME:

Just simply gay.

Unbelievably, he has a LOT of fans.

Seventh place for the "most popular female on Earth"
"Terrible singer, he is," people say.

I don't think he's that bad.

Not his fan though, even though he's not that bad.

Beliebers follow him around everywhere.

Is dating Selena Gomez now.

Entertains people.

Believed to be gay by a lot of people.

Exactly the kind of guy a lot of people hate/love.

Really annoying sometimes, because I DON'T WANT TO HEAR HIS SONG ON MY RADIO!!!

Journal Entry 45: List Poem

In the last journal entry you made a list. Your job is to take the words in that list and use all of them to write your own poem. Your poem can take whatever form you want, as long as it has all the words from the class list. Use your knowledge of poetic elements (figures of speech, rhythm, rhyme, alliteration, assonance, consonance, etc) to connect the words on the list.

My last journal entry includes the words:
Chocolate Cakes :)
McDonald :)Snacks a few minutes before bed :)

Reading novels while writing homework :)Going back to sleep after my alarm goes off on schooldays :)

Wake up at 12 on weekends :)

Checking Facebook
Chatting on Skype
Gossip magazines :)
TV :)
Shopping.
SUPER-long showers
Buying things I don't need

Fat McDonald food and

all those chocolates cakes I can't withstand.

With some "fat snacks" before bed:

a couple cakes, candies, and chocolate-cream-filled bread.

Ignore my homework and my alarm's screaming,

Wake up at twelve in the "morning".

Watch TV, read magazines,

and staring at my computer screen.

Shopping for things I don't really need,

and checking Skype and my Facebook feeds.

And what's better than taking showers

that last an hour?

Why do things we shouldn't do,

are always the things we love too?

I can't even begin to guess,

but honestly I couldn't hare less.

Journal Entry 44: My List

Think of something you can make a list of. Then write at least ten things that can go on your list, but don’t write the title of the list. Go to at least two of your classmates’ blogs and try to guess the title of their lists. Write your guess as a comment on their blog.

1. Chocolate (cakes, especially)
2. McDonald
3. Reading fiction while writing (not really) homework
4. Checking Facebook
5. Chatting on Skype
6. Gossip magazines (online too)
7. TV shows (online... so that means a LOT of episodes)
8. Snacks a few minutes before bed (not good for you... not at all)
9. Shopping.
10. Wake up at 12 on weekends (rarely happens, though, sadly...)
11. Going back to sleep after my alarm goes off (on schooldays too :P)
12. SUPER-long showers
13. Buying things I don't need. :)

Journal Entry 43: Elements of Poetry

When we talk about stories, we use words like “plot,” “character,” “setting,” “conflict,” and “resolution,” among others. In order to talk about poetry, we need to understand what it is made of. Aside from “words,” what are the elements of poetry? Do they share any of the same elements that we find in fiction? Explain giving specific examples from stories and poems you’ve read.

Some elements of poetry are metaphors, similes, imagery, and some poems also have plot, character, setting, conflict, and resolution just like any other stories. Although some poems like narrative poems and ballads have a story so they have elements story also have, but some poems like odes and lyric poems aren't stories. Instead, they are poems that expresses the author's thoughts, so most of the time, they don't have some elements that stories have. But, poems usually do have some things like metaphors and similes to make it more interesting to read and most poems have a beat to them, just like songs, and some also have to rhyme. Like the poem I read in seventh grade before, "I'm Nobody" by Emily Dickinson (which is a narrative poem) doesn't have characters or plots and other elements that fiction has, because it wasn't telling a story, instead, it's talking about how the author feels. In that poem, there was some similes in the poem, like "How public, like a frog...", and the poem also rhymes.

Another poem that I've read before when I was seven (I think) was "The Cat In The Hat". The poem definitely has a story, so it also has a plot, character, setting, and resolution, just like a fiction. But fiction, unlike poems, almost never rhymes. Whereas poems often rhyme, and rhyming poems usually have a rhythm to it too.

Journal Entry 42: Ode

An ode is a lyrical verse written in praise of, or dedicated to someone or something which captures the poet's interest or serves as an inspiration for the ode. You can write an ode to just about anything: your mother, happiness, toast, or a pair of old socks. Think about what you might want to write an ode about. Write down everything that you can think of about your topic. Try to come up with strong descriptive words that make clear images (colors, shapes, smells, tastes, sounds, and emotions). Don’t worry about writing complete sentences or paragraphs, just let the ideas flow out of you.

I think I'd like to write an ode to my mom. I'd talk about how she yells at me and my sister, and how mad she gets when we don't get a perfect score, or when we make careless mistakes. How she can change within a matter of seconds. Like one second, she'd be screaming the her head off, then, when a phone rings, she'd be like, "Hey! Yeah! Uh-huh! Ahh, can't wait. Cool... nice... See ya then!" And she can also not talk to me for a whole day, then the next day, she acts like nothing's happened. She's truly a fashion expert though. I seriously have no idea how can she be so fashion-forward (well in the casual style, not like a fashion diva kind), and sometimes, I think her fashion sense might even be better than mine! And, aren't teenagers supposed to be better at fashion and stuff instead of parents? But my mom can actually be quite nice, and even though her scolding is very annoying, I have to admit that it has helped me a lot. Without her yelling and "correcting", I would've been a really stupid kid who know nothing now (I think), so I'm actually very thankful that she yells at me a lot. So, I'd probably start of my ode being all sarcastic and funny, but then it would become serious and nice and thankful and stuff. So, I think that's be  a nice ode. A bit funny and a bit heart-warming (ha-ha).

Journal Entry 41: Poetry

How are poems different from other forms of writing? Do poems have any similarities to other kinds of writing? Can a poem do the same thing as other forms of expression, such as a story or song? How can a poem do things that other forms of expression can’t? Are there some things that a poem can’t do that can be done in other forms of writing? Do you see poems or poetic language in the world today? Where? What are they used for?

Poems usually have a rhythm to it, and most of them are quite hard to understand. Poems are very artistic and because of their poetic elements, they're often times easier to remember. Poems and other kinds of writing can all be any length they want and they all have different genres. All writings can express thoughts and most are quite enjoyable. Poems can express the author's thoughts and can tell stories too. But, poetry is often harder to understand, while stories are more specific. Stories are also mostly fiction, but poems can be either fiction or non fiction. In other forms of writing, thing's are mostly written in paragraph forms, but poems are usually lines of words broken down into shorter sentences, sometimes not even a full sentence. People can surely still see poems or poetic language in the world today. We can still see it in some songs and a lot of advertisements too. Songs usually rhyme and they most definitely have a rhythm to them (most of the time). Advertisements also use poetic language, because poetry is a lot easier to remember since it has a particular rhythm to it and are usually quite short. Poetry can sometimes be jokes or even sound like things Picasso drew. People can have different views of the same poem and they might all be right! So, I personally think that reading poems are just like trying to understand a drawing. It's all about guessing what the author meant and what the piece of art means to you. 

Journal Entry 40: Winter Holiday

Write about all the joys and sorrows you experienced during the festive winter holiday break.

   This winter break, I stayed in Hsinchu the whole time, but I still had lots of fun. The first week of winter break was very, very exhausting for me, because it was filled with basketball games and practices. I had to go to SCHOOL on Monday and Tuesday, and we had the basketball "tournament" on Wednesday to Friday. It was really tiring, but it was definitely not tiring enough, because we still had enough energy to go shopping for hours after the games. On Friday, we had our final game (we lost, but the scores were really close), so Stephanie and I decided to celebrate, and we went and had lunch together and watched the movie: Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. It was a really fast-paced and exciting movie, and I's absolutely recommend it to anyone that hasn't watch that movie yet! My Christmas presents were all quite awesome. I got an eyeliner from "Santa" (is Santa gay!?), a speaker from my dad, a cute T-shirt from my mom, some random beads and a key chain from my sis, a wallet from Steph, a pin and a small pouch from Dubby. I gave my mom earrings, gave my dad a sweater, gave my sis a bottle of nail-polish, gave Stephanie a small bag and gave Dubby a diary (blank, of course).  I also watched a ton of movies this winter break, some very new and some not so recent. I love winter break, but I just wish it was longer, like maybe 2 years longer, ha ha.