25.3.09

Ismene

This chapter begins with Esperanza trying to kill herself. The ironic thing is that it was with a bottle of baby asprin, as we later learn that she lost her baby. It is almost as if she is so upset about losing her baby that she decides to kill herself with someone resembling her baby. Estevan makes it sound like its something that happens often.
Estevan and Taylor spend a lot of time together in this chapter, and i'm not sure what to think of it. its clear how attracted Taylor is to Estevan and it makes me uncomfortable on the count of Taylor has never really likes anyone, and Estevan has a wife. I know nothing would happen but it just is confusing. Taylor tells Estevan about being a Nutter and the system they went by. Estevan compares it to the caste system. Estevan tells Taylor about the abuse in Guatemala. Taylor realizes her life wasnt so bad. Turns out Esperanze found Turtle so interesting because Ismene, her childs name, was taken from her. They chose saving 17 other people over saving their own daughter. A decision i know i would have chosen, only because trying to save my daughter would be a selfish move. I rather let the others live.
Turtle ends up joining them on the couch. With all of them together on the couch, Taylor thinks of the Family of Dolls she used to play with when she was little.
Taylor tells Estevan about what it meant being a nutter; how everyone knew you were a nutter because of your fingernails.

Miralces at Dog Doo Park

Taylors Mom is getting married, to Harland Ellestion- he works at a paint shop. Taylor doesnt really like the fact that her Mom is getting married, her mom even says that is happening a little fast. Turtle is talking a lot now, "Cabbage, cabbage, cabbage."(149) Taylor addmits to liking Estevan, and also mentions how limitted her choices were in pittman. Lou Ann discusses Angel, and how it was when the first met. How she thought she could get him to pay attention to her. Taylor admired the wisteria vines in the park that once seemed dead now bloom a beautiful purple, They remind her of a Bible story " where somebody or other struck a rosk and the water pourd out. Only thi was better, flowers out of bare dirt." (152) Hence the reason, the chapter is called Miralce of Dog Doo Park.
Taylor decides to tell Estevan shes sorry for the things Mrs.Parsons said, mentioning how she has a mean streak in her. Taylor even gets enough confidence to tell Estevan that she likes the way she talks; she thinks its beautiful. He tells her that the things she says are poetic; she doesnt understand. He says "Washing Hogs is poetic," (158).
Taylor finally takes Turtle to the hopsital, for all the abuse she suffered when she was little. Turtle seems to be interested in vegatables.Nothing seems to be wrong at first, but then Turtle gets X-Rays.Turns out, Turtle suffers from "Failure to Thrive". The doctor tells Taylor that it is somethign that can be reversed.As he was explaining all these important things that Taylor should be listening to, she was too busy looking out the window at a bird that built a home in a catus.
Angel tells Lou Ann that he is going back to the Rodeo. Taylor and Lou Ann realize Turtle's real name is April. It was rather exciting.

22.3.09

Chapter 7

How they Eat in Heaven

In the Chapter How They Eat In Heaven, two new characters are introduced: Esperanza and Estevan, who are married. They are Mattie's friends, and they go along with Taylor,Turtle, Lou Ann, Dwayne Ray, and Mattie on a picnic neer a creek. At first, Esperanza seems very interested at Turtle, because it reminds her of what turns out to be her child; by the end of the chapter you learn that Turtle is most likely their child, but there is nothing they can really do about it. When they stop the car because of a group quails, Turtle gets excited. She laughed. It was her first sound, and this made Taylor so happy. Lou Ann points out that if Angel as seen them, he would have given himself points for every quail he hit- just shows what kind of person Angel is. Later on, Turtle said her first word; bean. She said it when Taylor handed her white beans out of Matties jar. She even thinks that Turtle understood her when she told her that the beans she gave her were to play with and not eat.
Lou Ann tells Taylor about her fears, in which Taylor can relate. All about fears that things you imagine will become reality, which is an understandable thing to be afraid of. Thank goodness for self control. Talor and Lou Ann work out a plan so that Tayloe can cook meals certain days and Lou Ann the rest so it is more balanced- less like a wife and husband situation.
Taylor looks really nice, and Estevan compliments her. Esperanza also looks nice, and i wish i could actually have seen the dress she was wearing. No one really understood what Mattie said on TV, but it had to do with immigrants and there rights and violence. Thats all i understood out of it.
Mrs Parsons and Edna do not seem like happy people. They do not like immigrants, and do not aprove of Turtle, or Esperanza or Estevan.
Estevan tells a story, about hell and heaven. Basically saying that people in hell cannot eat because all they care about are themselves, and people in heaven can because they feed eachother, because they care about others well being. I like Estevan and i think he is wise. I think he is understanding, and i think he wants other people to become more accepting.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6's title is Valentines Day, and it is cold in Tuscon. Mattie's bean plants are frozen. AMttie's house was filled with the sent of green-tomato pies baking upstairs, which I thought was rather strange- not something i'd want to eat. Mattie was even kind enough to offer Taylor a job. Taylor mentions how it seems like Lou Ann takes care of the children, while Taylor goes to work. Taylor also discovers that Mattie's place is like a sanctuary for people; a safe place for them to be. Mattie finally finds out that Taylor has a fear of tires, and Taylor realizes how stupid it sounds. Luckily, Mattie explains to her that if a tire did expload it wouldnt be that bad; if it was a tractor tire Mattie would handle it.
As the book goes on, Mattie seems to more of a kinder person. She keeps people safe, offers people jobs, and is almost motherly- all at the same time she manages her own tire shop. Even with all these responsibilities, she comes across as a calm person, someone who doesn't get all nervous or tied up in silly stuff. She knows how to hold her own.
Taylor misses her mom.
Taylor bought Turtle some books, only to come home to hear Lou Ann trying to find Turtle a new name. I would have taken that offensivly; if i named my child one thing, i don't think i'd want someone else trying to tell me to change it. Taylor is not in the best mood, she later realized it was because Lou Ann seems to be the mom, and Taylor the husband. Taylor doesn't want them to be a family, but thats how Lou Ann likes it.
Lou Ann gets drunk, and fears what will happen. It makes me think Lou Ann is so content living on the good side, as if she doesn't trust herself or others. She says "Its Valentines Day...I ran off both my husband and the TV" (117). I feel bad for Lou Ann, but i dont think her divorce was her fault; her husband was just concieted. I wish she wasn't so depressed about Angel leaving- clearly he wasn't that great.

10.3.09

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 switches back to Taylor. She beings working at the Burger Derby, which is the place she met her friend Sandi. Sandi too has a child, and when they are at work they leave their children at the free baby-sitting service, as if they are shoppers at the mall. Soon enough, Taylor gets fired because she gets into an arguement with her boss. Taylor needs money, and realizes that her money situation isn't good at the moment. Taylor tries to find a place to stay, and looks in the newspaper adds for a room for rent. The first listing is rather strange; consisting of three people names Fei, La-Isha and Timothy. They seem to live a very free life, as they are hippies, and don't even have furniture in their house; just colorful rugs and pillows. They seem to have their own opinions when it comes to food; mentioning that caffine mest up Timothy and lecturing Taylor on hot dogs.
The second house seemed more promising, and more ironic; it was Lou Ann's. They seemed to get along great, laughing and talking, realizing they were from the same area, and even went to the same concert way back when. They are a perfect match, and Taylor decides to move in, and Lou Ann is over-joyed. The difference between Taylor and the three hippies almost seems to make Taylor and Lou Ann's similiarity even more enjoyable. They are so comfortable with each-other, both have babies, both are from Kentucky, and are all-in-all alike in many ways.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 switches back to Lou Ann. Angel comes back only to keep up appearances because Lou Ann's mother and grandmother come to visit. He understands that it is important for him to be there, and i'm sure Loud Ann is grateful because she knows her mother and grandmother didn't like him from the start, and they would not allow her to be living alone with a baby; they'd probably make her come live with them. Loud Ann names the baby Dwayne Ray, who was born on the first of January. I think that is almost ironic because Lou Ann didn't want the baby to be born on a holiday, yet January first is the beginning of a New Year; perhaps it is a burden for the baby but luck for the family.
Lou Ann's grandmother keeps the shades closed because she doesn't want the heat to harm the baby. Granny Logan brought a coke bottle filled with water from the Tug Fork River, which is the water in which Lou Ann was baptized. She wants Lou Ann to baptize her baby, Dwayne, in the same water. Her mother and grandmother head back to Kentucky, and for a second Lou Ann thinks about going with them, but she realizes how miserable she would be. Granny Logan and Lou Ann's mother are constantly argueing, and she knows she is better off being alone in Arizona.
Although Lou Ann didn't mention to her grandmother or mother that Angel left her, she tells Bobby Bingo. This surprised me but i could understand where she was coming from. It feels much better to tell a stranger a secret that you cannot tell anyone you'r close too.
It is pointed out that the presence of a man feels more alone than when there is a presence of a woman in the house; as if the men's presence isnt there, or as if it doesnt really matter. Angel is becoming worse and worse, and when he comes home with the smell of beer on his breath, it goes downhill. He sees the bottle of Tug Fork River water and wants to know what its for. Upon hearing that it is for his babies baptism, he pores it down the drain. What was once a connection to Lou Ann's family, childhood, and being accepted in a baptism was now no longer availabe because of Angel. If he left, he should not have much say in the babies way of being rasied; in my opinion, if he cared that much, he should have stayed.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 brings us back to Taylor, and the indian baby she was stuck with, who now is named Turtle. It is a good name for the baby because she is always grabbing on to things. Taylor stays at a hotel, helping the owner Mrs.Hoge. Mrs.Hoge admires Turtle, and wishes to be a grandchild. She wants her own daughter-in-law to have a baby, and she is pretty blunt about her desires.
Eventually, by New Years, Taylor and Turtle head to Arizona. Taylor describes Arizona has nothing she has never seen before. With pink hippo ballarina clouds, the sky is so silly looking yet interstesting that she decides to stay. All of a sudden its begins to hail, so Taylor parks at what looks like an old abandoned gas station so she can protect herself and turtle. A rather strange and not too bright man is there, who Taylor finds rather annoying. Taylor is reminded of Kentucky by his ciggarette, because the ants come out of the ground after the weather and begin sworming around the tobacco. She is reminded how Kentucky produces tobacco. The man points out to her that she has two flat tires.
Taylor finds Jesus is Lord Used Tires. A very kind woman named Mattie runs the place, and she seems to be very good with Turtle. Despite her hospitality, Taylor notices that she is drinking from a coffee cup that has a picture of two rabbit having sex. This confused Taylor, because someone so nice and friendly, working at what seems to be a religious used tire shop, is drinking out of such a coffee cup.
However, Taylor still thinks highly of Mattie because she has her own business and seems to know an awful lot; nothing like anyone back in Kentucky.
When Taylor sees Matties garden she is surprised by how wonderufl it is. There are plants growing through car parts, even in the middle of January. There are purple beans, that Mattie says is from her neighbor, who claims they came all the way from China.

Chapter 2

In Chapter two, the main character was Taylor, but now the character is switched over to Lou Ann. Lou Ann is pregnant, and the babies father is Angel, who seems to be a rather insecure person. He suffered a tragic accident in which he lost the lower half of his leg, and ever since then he is insecure about his relationship with Lou Ann. He thinks that it is because of his leg that Lou Ann doesnt want to sleep with him; but honestly it makes no difference to Lou Ann. Angel leaves her. Lou Ann is left alone pregnant, and is hoping that her baby is not born on christmas because she thinks it will rob the baby of its own day, and also because Angel lost his leg on christmas so it is not necessarily the best day to celebrate.
Now that she is pregnant, life is different for her, and she likes it. Men no longer hit on her when shes on the bus or out an about, and she thinks to herself that being a pregnant lady her whole life wouldnt be that bad. Lee Sing talks to her at the supermarket, making a rather rude remark that having a girl is like feeding the neighbors New Years pig; Lee Sing thinks it is a waste because some other family will get her anyway.
When she gets home she sees that Angel left her, taking the tv, a few beer mugs, and a picture of himself at the rodeo. Its Halloween, but she forgot to buy candy, so when the children come she gives them the pennies she was saving up to buy a washing machine. By the time she wants to go to bed, she wishes Angel was there to take off her shoes because her feet were too swollen, but she could not bend over far enough to take them off.
I think it was stupid of Angel to leave because he felt insecure when clearly Lou Ann did love him. He should've put his leg injury aside and realize that Lou Ann wouldnt think of him like that and that she is even more accepting to his leg than he is. I felt bad for Lou Ann because her husband left her and also Lee Sing's rude comment. Its terrible to think that is how chinese people think, because everyone, especially babies should feel comfortable being their own gender. Angel doesn't seem like the best person, and you can tell because of what he took. All he cares about is entertainment and beer, because all he took was the TV and beer mugs. The fact that he took a picture of himself on a bull also shows that he is either selfish and didn't want Loud Ann to have the picture, or too proud because he was on a bull; neither of are good traits to possess.

8.2.09

feb. pg.

1. Word: Endorses
Guess: to prove
Definition: to give public support to somebody or something, especially during an election
Context: writing rules

2. Word: Contends
Guess: shows
Definition: to argue or claim that something is true
Context: writing rules

3. Word: refutes
Guess: proves
Definition: to prove something to be false or somebody to be in error
Context: writing rules

4. Word: disputes
Guess: arguements
Definition: to question or doubt the truth or validity of something
Context: writing rules

5. Word: emphasizes
Guess: to make clear
Definition: to stress or give importance to something
Context: writing rules

6. Word: Metonymy
Guess: study of people
Definition: a change of name
Context: Pure novel

7. Word: Larcenous
Guess: mischievous
Definition: having a disposition to steal
Context: "the larcenous world"- Sydney Smith

8. Word: Unpropitious
Guess: unfavorable
Definition: inauspicious
Context: "arrived at an unpropitious moment"

9. Word: Apparatchiks
Guess: karate
Definition: loyal subordinate
Context: Pure novel


10. Word: Indefatigable
Guess: undeniable
Definition: incapable of being tired
Context: "an indefatigable advocate of equal rights."

11. Word: Emblematic
Guess: symbolic
Definition: serving as an emblem
Context: "a crown is emblematic of royalty."

12. Word: austerity
Guess: stern
Definition: severity of discipline, regime, expression, or design
Context: class

13. Word: Swathes
Guess: a bandage
Definition: to enfold or constrict

14. Word: Indispensable
Guess: can’t be removed
Definition: extremely desirable or useful, or not to be done without
Context: class notes

15. Word: Leeward
Guess: free
Definition: the point toward which the wind blows
Context: "they were sailing leeward"

16. Word: Scepter
Guess: hesitant
Definition: a ceremonial staff, rod, or wand used as an emblem of a monarch's authority.
Context: class talk

17. Word: Mesh
Guess: to blend together
Definition: couldn't find anything
Context: "it was a mesh screen"

18. Word: Emphatic
Guess: overly happy
Definition: impressive; significant
Context: history notes

19. Word: ostentatious
Guess: high importance
Definition: marked by a vulgar display of wealth and success designed to impress people
Context: on the board

20. Word: unadorned
Guess: plain
Definition: bare
Context: class

21. Word: Deception
Guess: disbelief
Definition: the state of being deceived
Context: "...the root to all of Trixie's deceptions"

22. Word: Seminal
Guess: something with ideas
Definition: highly original and influential
Context: class

23. Word: Advocate
Guess: a representative
Definition: a person who pleads the cause of another
Context: "...it was he who had advocated in the beginning."

24. Word: Eloquence
Guess: fancy
Definition: the practice of art of using language frequently
Context: "Snowballs eloquence had carried them away."

25. Word: Blithely
Guess: merry
Definition: glad or cheerful
Context: "one day as Mollie strolled blithely"

26. Word: Cunning
Guess: sneaky
Definition: deceiving
Context: "comrade Napoleon's cunning."

27. Word: Carbuncles
Guess: bacteria
Definition: a red precious stone
Context: "small glowing ember carbuncle."

28. Word: Pathetic Fallacy
Guess: the measure matches the feeling
Definition: the treatment of inanimate objects as if they had feeling
Context: class notes

29. Word: Ebullience
Guess: light
Definition: high spirits; exhilaration

30. Word: precedent
Guess: to come before
Definition: an action or decision that can be used subsequently as an example for a similar decision or to justify a similar action
Context: class notes

31. Word: retrospect
Guess: all around perspective
Definition: the remembering of past events
Context: class

32. Word: Abolished
Guess: ruined
Definition:to do away with
Context: "voted to abolish the tax."

33. Word: Indentured
Guess: permanently
Definition: a deed of agreement

34. Word: Methodically
Guess: consistently
Definition: acting in a systematic way
Context: "a methodical person"

35. Word: Vivacious
Guess: bright
Definition: lively or animated
Context: "a vivacious folk dance"

36. Word: Quell
Guess: upset
Definition: to vanquish or subdue
Context: "the troops quelled the rebellion quickly"

37. Word: Innocuous
Guess: harmless
Definition: unlikely to arouse strong feeling

38. Word: Canonical
Guess: pertaining to a cannon
Definition: authorized; recognized; accepted

39. Word: Berate
Guess: make angry
Definition: to scold
Context: "he berated them in public"

40. Word: leveled
Guess: to raise
Definition: have a flat or even surface

41. Word: Atavistic
Guess: afraid of genes
Definition: related to an inherited trait

42. Word: Debouch
Guess: to release yourself
Definition: to emerge
Context: history class

43. Word: allotment
Guess: attachment
Definition: a share granted
Context: "he said he used up all his allotment as a kid."

44. Word: Moravian
Guess: lesson taught through life
Definition: a religious belief; Christian denomination
Context:

45. Word: Blatant
Guess: done on purpose
Definition: offensively; noisy or loud
Context: "what the reverend said was a blatant lie"

46. Word: Yammering
Guess: continuing on endlessly
Definition: to whine

47. Word: catatonic
Guess: crazy fun
Definition: a syndrome in schizophrenia
Context: "he's in a catatonic state"

48. Word: Allusion
Guess: parable
Definition: a passing or casual reference
Context: "an allusion to Shakespeare"

49. Word: Savagery
Guess: acting like animals
Definition: an act of violent cruelty

50. Word: Abyss
Guess: black nothingness
Definition: the internal regions
Context: "lost in a state of abyss."

22.1.09

schooooool mission

FCA’s Morgan Hunt
1) Hook/Thesis January 22, 2009
2) Parallel Structure English 10
3) , . ; :-

If it were up to me to change the educational mission of the school, I would change the mission to focus on bringing out the students highest potential, balancing freedom, and giving each student an equal opportunity for success. I believe that these three issues are essential for motivation, respect, and a feeling of equality and self-worth. If students cannot reach their potential, if they feel restricted, or if they do not feel they have an equal opportunity they will not feel positive about the work they do. That slight amount of self-doubt in their own capabilities can often lead to bigger problems. It would be best if we could prevent the bigger problems at the source because once a student leaves the road for success it quickly becomes more difficult to help them.
If the assignments you were given were not assigned in a way that you could produce your best work, if they were assigned in a way that confused you, wouldn’t that put a damper on your chances for success? For example, if you were learning a language, and you learned best from listening and speaking, yet all the teacher did was hand out work sheets, don’t you think that it would be rather frustrating to sit there every day, trying to focus on something that just didn’t click? I think that each student should be able to work using a method that is best from them; as long as they’re learning, it shouldn’t matter how they go about it. This would allow students to learn more sufficiently and have a clearer understanding of the subject that they are learning. However, if students are given the opportunity to do this, they need to actually try and not just blow off the work.
The next important issue that follows student motivation in their school is freedom. Simple freedoms would make students feel like they are important and respected in the school community. Our seniors at DY are given the freedom to go out to lunch; however, 93% of the seniors must show up on the previous day. True, it is good to make them work for their freedom, but considering that their class is so small it is very hard to acquire a 93% attendance participation. If the percentage was lowered to a reasonable number, I think it would be more practical and perhaps the attendance record would increase because seniors would know that they could come to school and be able to go out to lunch instead of staying in the cafeteria. If the school takes away simple freedoms like that, the students will not feel as if there is mutual respect.
Another way that a student’s education is affected is whether or not they feel they have an equal opportunity for success. If a student doesn’t feel like they will succeed, often they give up on the spot or half-way through trying. Students shouldn’t feel nervous or hesitant to ask for help, although sometimes they do. Teachers, time and again, hurry through things without explaining everything clearly and thoroughly. Another issue is when teachers favor some students over others; usually students who are doing really well. This makes it so the students that need help or that are having troubles with the work, aren’t getting the attention they need. It is a human reaction to feel resentment towards someone who doesn’t treat you as an equal; it destroys the students’ incentive to work. Student praise is also an important issue- not just for those who do their work all the time, but for the students that sometimes do the work and sometimes don’t. If you praise them when they do their work it will make them feel like they’re doing something right.
In conclusion, bringing out the students highest potential, balancing freedom, and giving each student an equal opportunity for success are really understandable goals that we should set. It is not a matter of just saying we’ll do it. It’s a matter of putting it into action. Their future is your future. If these students do not get a good education, imagine how life will be in the long run for all of us. Students need to feel important and need to be motivated. As a community, it is our job to help them achieve success in school so they can achieve success in life. If they miss out, it could be costly to everyone. If you notice someone is having difficulties wouldn’t you try to help them the best way you can? There is no reason why their education should be treated any differently.