Im From Poem

I am from the 5 stars and red,
fromstreet markets.
I am from cheap TVs and clothes,
from fake brand name shoes,
that last longer then the real ones.

I'm from tofu,
that tastes good but tastes funny.
I'm from the crowded,
from the somewhat dirty.
I'm from the busy streets,
that are very noisy.

TO BE CONTINUED

Poem

There is a water fall,
I went there with Paul,
We were going to jump off and fall,
But we suddenly got a call,
It was from my mom at the mall,
She said we will go to Nepal,
Where we could grow tall,
And live happily ever after.

Article

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/8lotteryWinnersWhoLostTheirMillions.aspx

This article talks about 8 different people who won the lottery but lost "millions". Some of these 8 people are deeper in debt, living on food stamps, or back to their normal lives. One person, Evelyn Adams won the lottery TWICE. She was greedy and wanted to keep her money. She thought gambling could brng her more money and also she would be able to keep her money. She continued to gamble until one day she realized she has no more money. She lost everything and now lives in a trailer. This relates to the theme of the pearl, wealth cant always bring happiness.

Tone

He is the greatest person alive. No one is better than him. He can do things that you can't, in fact he can do everything! He is good at studying, math, chemistry, reading, writing, YOU NAME IT! Thats not all, he is good at every game aswell. Board games, videos games, ANYTHING.

Guess the Mood

I have to ask Jon, the handsome guy, to Sadies. He is apparently walking towards me, I am not sure what to say. Should I just walk up to him? What if he says no? He's not that far from me now, WhAT CAN I DO?

Song Lyric

Father God, I'm prayin' to you for somebody, who knows you Lord but just hasn't, hasn't been seein' you in the right view lately, Hear me out...Father, I'm prayin' for a friend he and I are pretty close, and out of all my friends for this one I'm concerned the most. He say he readin' daily but he ain't really learnin'. He been in church but say that he ain't moved by any sermon. His face weak, he ain't prayed in a week, he wake up and just weep with his face in the sink Lord, you gotta help my man, I'm prayin' for him daily, he ain't sinned but it just seem as if he goin' crazy. He say he feelin' trapped, can't even head up the mall coz every lady's half-dressed temptin' him to lust and fall. He keep the TV off, videos just make him feel that he ain't really nothin' without money, girls and shiny wheels. The other day he told me that he felt less a man coz he ain't have a five-year plan or a piece of land and man it's crazy coz his family think so much of him, plus he got a godly wife who always showin' love for him but he's strugglin', even though he talk to me, I tell him what to do but he don't listen when he oughta' be. I'm scared for him coz there's people that look up to him, he got some younger siblings who been changed by what he's done for them but is it done for him, Lord don't let it be, if he don't wanna talk to you then Father hear from me, is it done for him, Lord don't let it be, if he don't wanna talk to you then Father hear from me...Yeah, I'm prayin' for you, yeah, I'm prayin' for youYeah, I'm prayin' for you, yeah, yeah, I'm prayin' for you...God, his condition is worsen since we were last conversed and I'm with him now and he ain't doin' well and this I'm certain. He say he tryna' trust you, doesn't wanna disgust you but he was in the mist of sinners and did not discuss you and just today his anxiety's got the best of him, he knows Christ but for hours refuse to rest in Him, he's not the best of men but Lord I know he really loves you and I can't understand why lately he's not thinkin' of you. People trust this dude, you could crush this dude, Father he needs more of you I pray you touch this dude, what can I say to him? I'm determined to pray for him Father empty and brake him I pray you'll just have your way with him, coz there's a change in him and the effects are strong, I pray you open up his heart before the next song and when he gets home, I pray he'll open up the sixty-six book love letter you wrote and soak it up coz he ain't hearin' You and he ain't feelin' me and God I know it's killin' You because it's killin' me and matter of fact there's somethin' else he's concealin' see, the person that I've been prayin' about is really me...Yeah, I'm prayin' for you, yeah, I'm prayin' for youYeah, I'm prayin' for you, yeah, yeah, I'm prayin' for you...



The composer seems to basically say that wealth is nothing without God. It talks about somebody who is struggling spiritually, and this person is obviously wealthy. It goes on to talk about the sins he did and all the struggles with the huge amount of money. At the end, the person admist that this "someone" is actually him and that he prays that God will help him.

What I would do with 259 million dollars?

If i had 259 million dollars, I would feel so excited that I would probably scream for a whole minute (non stop). I will imagine all the things I would buy, I would buy literally everything. I will get a nice car, nice everything.

QW

My brother left many different impressions on me, but I think in overall he has made on clear impression on me: my brother is untrustable. I have seen this many many times throughout my whole entire life. In the second grade, our family was out shopping. My dad was poking around samples and my mom was pushing the cart. My brother smiled real nice and as soon as my mom looked the other way, he smacked me. Yes, even yesterday, I saw this happen again. We were peacfully playing basketball, it had rained that day so the ground had puddles here and there. I was going for a lay up when out of the blue, my brother trips me and I fell smack into one of the puddles. I was soaked, but what happened next was still shocking. My brother laughed, took the ball, and scored. I felt so cheated, I expected him to atleast help me up. Since it was a game point, my brother won, and then he just ran off after that. Therefore, my brother is an untrustable person. He would urge you to do something and back stab you. My brother is like a chameleon, waiting for his prey.

Clue 4

1. I admire my dad. I admire him because he gives so much while recieving so little in return. As a father, he needs to provide his children with education, food, and literally everything. Therefore, this repsponsibility as a father has made him hard working. I know it would be hard for me to do so much things as it takes a lot of sacrifice.


1. Well, I think that setting plays a major role in a story. A lot can change if the setting was changed. The setting provides that extra detail for a reader to figure out more of the character. The setting in a story holds more details of the character so that the reader could understand the character better. Such as, if a character was from Texas, we can imagine him having an accent and more comfortable in hot weather compared a boy living in Alaska.

2. I think that the most author drop clues about characters in details. The details are the most important part of a story. Without it, we dont know anything about the character, and the character is who does everything in the story. What the character does can lead us to the theme of the story. The actions of the character is what leads to the main conflict. The main conflict is where we can find the theme of the story.

3. China has been the strongest setting I have ever encountered in my life. Since I lived most of my life in China, I have a lot of memories there and learned many things there. God has taught me taht He will be with me. When I was first in China, I wasnt sure what to do. I had to adapt and be flexible. The culture was different, the food, the language, basically everything. However, god showed me that he was with me and I was able to live 10 years in China.

Clue 3

1.What is a literary theme? Provide an explanation and then 3 one-statement examples of a literary theme that reveals truth about the universal human experience.

Literary theme is the main point of the story.

2. What is the theme of your life, as you see it right now?

The theme of my life is that "STUDYINg IS EVERYTHING." My theme does seem quite sad but then again keep in mind I have asian parents. :) Well, since I am an American citizen, I would like to live in America when I grow up. However, as a minority in America, I have a disadvantage. Therefore I have to work extra hard to get a spot at the top. I do hate to admit this, but studying seems to be literally everything. I have to study well so that I can get into a good college. After graduating from a good college, I will be able to land an efficient job that will be able to support me and my family. However, there will be competition in getting there, therefore I need to do more than just normal.

3. In your opinion, what is the theme of God's plan for this world?

It is that we as humans can have a chance to have a relationship with God and that we have peace among ourselves. If you look at our world, it is seriously messed up. There is so much crime and sin. Not only do we as individuals commit crime but even countries and powerful rulers do so too. Strong nations gathered up thetop scientists and created a bomb that can kill off lots and lots of people at the same time. Therefore, I think that God's plan is that we learn from this and that we would all have peace and get to believe in Him because we are all sinful.

1.How can you figure out a theme in a short story? Describe the proccess.

First we need to analyze the characters, such as making connections and finding out what his or her personality is like.

Secondly we need to identify the conflict. The conflict always somehow involves the main character in the short story. The main conflict can reveal a lot of things about the main character, therefore it is crucial to understand the conflict.

Lastly, look at the short story generally. The characters and their personalities, understanding the conflict, and just basically getting to know the story itself.

2. What is theme of "The Utterly Perfect Murder" and how does this theme relate to your own life?

I think that the theme of The Utterly Perfect Murder is that small things we do can have bigger impacts and change a person. Ralph bullied Doug and at that time, it was just pretty innocent. Ralph would have never thought Doug would have all these different mixed emotions and anger. However, as Doug grows up he still remembers his childhood scars. Ralph cant imagine Dough was still hurt of his childhood acts. Doug decides to get revenge on Ralph but when he sees Ralph he doesnt literally kill him. The fact that Doug faced Ralph after all those of years of childhood scars was enough to show he was strong. On the other hand. Ralph recongizes Doug but is not completley sure it is him. When Doug just leaves without saying anything Ralph is only left hanging. Doug has changed because of his childhood scars.

3. How is a moral of a story different from a theme?

A theme is what the author wants the reader to understand about the story. Therefore, a theme can be anything. It can be a statement about anything and it can be ture or false. Themes can also be opinions or just simply facts. In the other hand, morals are completely different. Morals are true. Also, morals can not be about anything. Morals are life lessons, they must teach about a standard in life. Therefore, morals and themes are different.

4. Read John 3:16. Is this a theme statement for God's story? How does this relate to the truth you might in literature?

Yes, I think that this is a theme statement for God's story. God wants all of us to with Him, and therefore he had to make a sacrifice for all of us. God had to send Jesus to die for our sins. Because of this we are able to have a relationship with God. We can see this truth in literature many times. We cant always be perfect and get whatever we want. There must be a sacrifice to it, and this appears many times in literature. Even in Harry Potter, Harry's parents sacrificed themself to protect their son, we can still see this truth in modern literature.

Clue 6

Define a metaphor and a simile.

Metaphor is using one thing and comparing it to another without using like.

Simile is comparing one thing thing to another but by using "like" or others.

Why do authors use figurative language?

Authors like to use figurative language to engage the reader to read more of the story and keep the story detailed. Figurative language also makes the story more unique and makes it easier for readers to understand. Readers can visualize more about the details and have a more clear understanding of the story. Authors always want to keep their readers interested and in order to do so, you need clear and good details. Figurative language and help the author achieve this.

List 3 metaphors that you think are really beautiful or interesting.

He reeks of suspicion.

Star-crossed lovers

A diamond is forever

Find a metaphor for Jesus in the Bible and list the Bible verse.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

4. What does this metaphor reveal about God's world and your understanding of it?

This metaphor reveals that God does care about us, even if we are in the darkest part of the world. In this verse it clearly says that Jesus is the light of the world. Then it uses a example to show the extent of Jesus' power. It claims that even a city on a hill cant be hidden from Jesus' light for us. Therefore, I think that this verse has helped me shift my understanding of what God's workd is really like and how He cares about us. God was willing to send His son so that we could be forgiven. This vserse clearly helps us see God's care for us. Light is something that is powerful. When we feel down something colorful, something bright, can cheer us up. Also, light can go far and wide, shining on anything. This verse shows that Jesus is like that too, he can help us, cheer us up, and shine far and wide, on anything.

Reader Response

In your own words, please summarize what Reader Response analysis is, and what steps are involoved.
Reader response is basically what is sounds like. It the reader's response to a text, however most of these responses are through connections that the reader can make with the text. Either if its through the characters, the settings, or anything else. The reader can relate through emotions, experiences, how they feel, or whatever. Reader response analysis just basically states that it is impossible to have only one point of view of a text. The basic steps involve the reader reading the text and then making connections along as he reads. Since there isnt really a specific part of texts in which we all make connections, some people may view connections in the end, beginning, or the middle. However, we can always view texts with different angels and views.

How can reader response open our eyes to more truth as we read?
If we respond to the texts we read, and connect to them, we can easily understand the essence of the text and realize the TRUE meaning of it. Also, when we relate to the the text, we can understand it more clearly because we have a connection. For example, when some people read the miracles of Jesus, they do not believe that a man could do such things. However, if you were one of those people standing there and watching what Jesus was doing, or if you saw something similar, then you could relate to the story. You would be able to know the "truth", that Jesus DID perform miracles.

Why is it important for you to interact/ connect with literature?
Well, this can help us look at all kinds of things in different views. We can look at things at a new angle and realize the essence of what stories tell us. We can have a different mindset to things, and think "outside the box". Also, when we read the text and connect with it, we can be more engaged with it. We can understand fully what the author is tthe trying to say and can appreciate more of what the author has done to get his message across. We will learn not only to think in different ways, but learn English language itself with an engagin attitude. Therefore, it is important for us to interact with literature.

Reflect on a book or story you have read recently and what new truth about the world you learned from that narrative.

I read an article about how the amount of calories are in different milkshakes. One milk shake had 2350 calories, which is over a normal person's amount of calories for a DAY. One day, three meals compared to ONE milk shake! I realized that through this article that people in our world barely do care for others when it comes to money. People would give another person a cup full of literally JUNK for 5 dollars. Therefore, I realized that whenever money is involved, even our closest friends could be the total opposite of who we thought they were.

Clue 1

What is beauty?
I think that beauty is mostly made up of looks, however characteristics do play a minor role in beauty. Beauty is something that looks stunning, and the qualities about beauty helps her seem even more stunning. For example, we think that some celebrities are "beauty", however there are some celebrities that do not show good quality. Some do drugs, some do just crazy things, however, there are ones that do show a good example unto others, some would teen celebrities. I also think that beauty can not be a THING, it must be HUMAN. People may say a soccer goal is "beauty", or a big block of gold. However, looks doesnt mean everything. Although looks does play a major role, characteristics still needs to come into play. Overall, beauty is something that is stunning in looks and characteristics.

Verses:
Matthew 5:8
"God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." God's view is that beauty lies in the heart.

Psalm 53:2
"God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God."

Personal Ad

I am NEMO. I have awesome hair like GU JUN PYO. I am funny like a bunny. I am cool that it gets all cold if you're near me. I play basketball so well that people call me the Asian Jordan. I also play soccer with perfection that everyone says I am the Korean Ronaldo. I play the clarinet like a beatiful bird in a beautiful tree. I can swim faster than any clown fish ALIVE. However, I sports is not my only speciality, I am also talented in Academics. I am very talented in physics that Albert Einstein rose from the grave and literally begged to shake my hand, my one of a kind brain must have been talked of all the way to the graves. GOODNESS, there is so much things awesome about me that I can not even write them all! I am Nemo, I am AWESOME. :)

Today’s focus: Practicing Reader Response and reading “The Utterly Perfect Murder”

1. I think that the Utterly Perfect Murder will be like Ocena's 13, however it will be about killing someone rather than robbing a bank. I have never wanted revenge on anyone, however I do wanted to fight with some people, just because they are ANnOYING!

Have you ever read a book and felt you connected with a character in it? Or found a book where a character is a lot like you? Describe your experience

Have you ever read a book and felt you connected with a character in it? Or found a book where a character is a lot like you? Describe your experience and whether or not you think it is important to make a personal connection to literature.

I have not read a book that I can relate to or that the characters are a like. However, I do think that making personal connections to the story is somewhat important. When we relate to the story, we can understand it much better, either if its through the setting, characters, or the story itself. We cant always relate the stories we read, but when we do, its best to make connections because that would give us a more expanded knowledge of the story.

personal connections

Lizabeth cant remember much of her childhood, only small scenes. I cant remember my childhood much aswell. However when I do, I remember the small details.

In the second paragraph, the author talks about how she remembers certain objects, such as the marigolds. When I think about my child hood, a lot of certain objects, such as the my first school. I remember that they had the biggest play ground ever.

Lizabeth decides to annoy Miss Lottie for fun, I do this every day! I go to my brother's room for no apparent reason:)

Lizabeth is very bored around the beginning of the story. In the summer, my parents barely let me go out and meet people and therefore I become extremely bored as well.

When Lizabeth and the kids go to Miss Lottie's house, she still whispers even though it isnt possible tht Miss Lottie could hear her from that distance. I do this too, even though my parents are sleeping with their door closed, they are deeply sleeping, and my room is far away from theirs, I still whisper.

Lizabeth was taunted by one of the kids ( "are u scared?"),and that made Lizabeth more daring. Whenever someone taunts me, I automatically JUST DO IT.

Lizabeth claims that one day she can remember lots about her child hood, and it is because of a special moment or change. I can remember this too as sometimes I can remember the first time I learned a bike rather than what I ate when for lunch on the first day of kindergarten.

Lizabeth likes to ponder and be in her "private world", especially under the oak tree. I like to be locked in my room and just be in my very own la la land.

Lizabeth destroyed Miss Lottie's marigolds because she couldnt control her emotions. Once, a kid accidentally kicked a ball and it hit my head, I punched him in the face, and I got the principal said that I should "take the day off and get some time to cool off at home".

Lizabeth knew she would get caught if she destroyed the marigolds. When I punched the boy, I knew the principal HIMSELF was on lunch duty. :/

Clue 2

These verses have some meaning to it. It does obvioulsy bring out what Jesus will BE. However, it expresses Jesus as not just a ordinary man coming to Earth, but as something much greater. I think that this does somewhat show how Jesus would be great in our world. Jesus showed a lot of miracles and his power was great, therefore this passage expresses Jesus' power through one word, Messiah. Jesus did more than simple miracles, he spread His Word with a huge amount of wisdom and knowledge.

2. Why do stories need to be constructed? What does this reveal about our need as humans. to construct understanding?
Stories need to be contstructed so that we can understand it more easily simple so that we can get engage with the story. The beginning should be straight off interesting so that the reader can straight off be interested in the story. If a story is constructed well, the ideas and details are organized well and not confusing for the reader. Also, if a story is constructed, we are persuaded to keep on reading until the end. If it wasnt constructed well, the story would end anywhere and it will be most definetly confusing. This reveals to us as humans that in order to be more successful, we need to organize and construct. We dont only do this in literature, but we do it in life. It could be architecture or business, we need organize and construct well.

3. When I first read this story, I found it serisouly boring and hard to understand. I thuoght that the details didnt fit in well and random things happened. I realized that I had to think for myself to try and organize what was going on nad why the charcter did such things. However, after looking the plot graph, I found out that te story was quite interesting in different ways. The story seemed to be un organized, but that seems to be on purpose. The goal was for the reader did get more involved with the story. I re-read the story and this time I looked at the overall picture. I found out that the story made a lot more sense. Also, I could recognize more details than I had before. I was able to fully understand the story and it's theme.

4. I think that the theme of this story is that our opinions and emotions can change. Elizabeth was young and she thought it was fun to make fun of the lady. She and her friends did bad things to the old woman and caused trouble. One day, Elizabeth loses control of her emotions and destroyes the marigolds. However, she later regrets that momment and she has a sudden compassion for the woman. Therefore, her mindset of the old woman changes. Elizabeth is more mature and more able to control her emotions. She used to hate the old woman but now she feels sorry for her. So I think that this story show that people can change, either if its through opinions or emotions.

Plot Assignment

Exposition: When I was young I always thought to myself how great it would be to ride a bicycle! I could go anywhere I wanted on only just two wheels, and quickly too! Therefore I begged my mom for a bicycle, and you would never know how happy I was when I got it. However, my happiness quickly turned into disappointment and I was discouraged.

Rising Action: I realized that I couldnt just ride a bike on two wheels, I had to be "trained" according to my older brother. I had to ride on four wheels, and I tell you, it was seriusly boring! It was so slow, it just LOOKEd so....amateur. Therefore, I literally forced my brother to teach me how to ride a TWO wheeled bike. My brother taught me everyday, he help onto the back of my bike, and he yelled "PEDAL!". It didnt seemed any use, because "pedaling" wasnt that easy as it seemed. My bike always wobbled and eventually I would fall down, and yes it HURTS!!!!!!

Climax: Day after day, I practiced with my brother, obviously I got lots of bruises. One day, it was the same old drill, my brother held on to me, and I pedaled, but this time something different happened. I felt myself start off a little more wobbly then before, but as I pedaled more and more I felt the wind whip harder on my face. Then I heard someone yelling, my brother! He was yelling YES! Then I looked down, I was riding a bike on two wheels!!! You will never know how happy I was.

Falling Action: I pedaled all over the neighborhood and I went FASSTTT. I yelled at my mom until she looked out our window. I pedaled around in circles so that she could see! I was very proud and happy that day. All the hard work did pay off, I could finally ride a 2 wheel bike!

Resolution: I will always remember day I learne to rided a 2 wheeled bike. Through all those days, falling down, getting discouraged, I had finally made it! The next day, I bragged even more, I had succeeded!

Conflict: I got hurt a lot and it took a long time to finally learn to ride the bike.

Communicator

Class Work

Very...excited..

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

5. The Midnighters: Touching Darkness

I like to read more of the fantasy style books. The reason is that these books require a lot of creativity from the author, and I especially like how the author decides to present his/her imagination into the book. For example, Harry Potter, this book series has been around for a long time, however, I needed to refresh my memory. I was pretty surprised, although re reading these books, I was surprised of the twists JK Rowling used and the strong imagination she had about this boy and the magical world. Therefore, I like fantasy, due to the pleasure of reading about the wild imaginations of others.

My reading habits consists of a comfortable and un-disturbed environment. When I say un-disturbed, I mostly mean no one is bothering me, however I do listen to music while I read. I prefer these conditions. However, I can mostly read anywhere, as long as it is comfortable. Being comfortable is important because it get hard for me to concentrate and read when I am feeling uncomfortable.

I think books SHOULD be made into movies, however there are certain conditions. There are tons of great books with good stories and twists, it would be great to see them in a theater with friends. However, some directors present the book differently and with no fun. I think if a book was to be made in the movie, every cast member, director, EVERYONE should have read the book because they need to understand what it is really like and how the author wanted his/her story made. If you take example of the new Harry Potter movie, in the book, the scene starts off in a different setting as the movie, and also at the end the book has a lot of action. However, in the movie, there was no action, mostly just dialogue, also some minor parts were changed. I think that this ruined the movie and made a bad reputation of the book. Therefore I believe that books should be made into books, as long as they fit the conditions.

Thinker

Balanced

Caring

Principled

Knowledgeable

First Stab at Essential Questions

1. What are my current reading skills?
My current reading skills differ from different ranges. Reading books and answering questions to conecting the context to a real life situation. I think that I am more able in reading the context and being questioned about it rather than to make connections or present the ideas found in the context. However, I do like to present the ideas found in the context in an active way, although I am not good at it, but I enjoy it.
2.How can I improve and grow as a reader?
I can improve and grow as a reader in many differenet ways. First, I think that enhancing my vocabulary would be very helpful because if I came across a word I didnt know in the context, my new knowledge of more vocab would help me easily to understand the context. Secondly, I think I can read more,more, and EVEN more, because as a read more things from contexts, I can learn more, such as vocabulary, and I can connect to the context and work with the idea shown more easily.
3. What purpose can literature serve in my life?
Literature can help me to be more open to details and connect with different ideas found in the context. I may not easily read books, however, I do watch the News and read lots of online articles. Lots of times, I run across different ideas and opinions from the articles I read.
4. What resources can I find in the library that will help me in this course and other courses?
The library has a lot of books that can help me in this course. I have read many good literature books and classics. These books are helpful as we might even read some of them and study them. The advantage is that I go to read the book ahead and familiarize myself with the story and the ideas presented.