What comes to mind when you hear 'the roaring twenties?' Well for me, not a whole lot. I know that it was a time when women got a lot more independence and lost a lot of hair and dress length. I'm guilty of not knowing very many historical facts about this time, but I just assumed that everything was still really old-fashioned and traditional. After reading The Great Gatsby, I believe that I may have been dead wrong.
I'm not a big fan of historical things (movies, books, etc.), so I wasn't really looking forward to this book. However, it seems as though F. Scott Fitzgerald is describing a dramatic love triangle drunken party scene that could have easily taken place in the 2000's. After reading the first chapter, I was totally stunned. I pictured a 1920's party as being very sophisticated with waltzing and expensive wine, not some huge drunken brawl where everyone was totally wasted. Seems more like our modern times, yet also more barbaric.
The way that the characters talk and act is also so similar to us humans now. I thought that all of the new advances in technology, etc. had completely morphed us into a whole different species. Apparently I was wrong. In the 1920's there was still cheating on spouses, fighting, and awkward conversations. I guess things never fully change!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
America is . . . Gran Torino!
I have to admit that I enjoyed doing the 'America is a Movie' presentation much more than the summer chosen essay presentation that we did last quarter. I think that it is super interesting to see how my different classmates view America. Some have totally optimistic points of view, and others view America in a very pessimistic way. Usually I've noticed that everyone focuses on family, which I believe is a huge part of America (and the rest of the world, for that matter!)
(For the 4th block AP Compers, the movie that I chose was Gran Torino). Not only do I HIGHLY recommend this movie, but I think that it represents America very well. Mr.Kunkle told me a funny story about his cranky old neighbor who is really racist and he ACTUALLY told Mr. Kunkle that Gran Torino was written about him! (I guess it actually does hit home closer than I thought!)
One of the main themes of Gran Torino that I've noticed in a handful of works that we've read so far is racism. I wouldn't consider myself a racist, but in certain situations it is very hard to not notice or even discriminate against those who are of a different color than I am. I am always kind to people from other races, but it can create a barrier that makes it awkward of difficult to be completely normal around each other. America is known as the giant "melting pot," so we are surrounded by so many different races and cultures. I think that more people need to learn the history of other races (such as Walt did with the Hmong in Gran Torino) in order to fully understand others and be less judgemental! We can all improve just a little bit more to make the world a better place :)
(For the 4th block AP Compers, the movie that I chose was Gran Torino). Not only do I HIGHLY recommend this movie, but I think that it represents America very well. Mr.Kunkle told me a funny story about his cranky old neighbor who is really racist and he ACTUALLY told Mr. Kunkle that Gran Torino was written about him! (I guess it actually does hit home closer than I thought!)
One of the main themes of Gran Torino that I've noticed in a handful of works that we've read so far is racism. I wouldn't consider myself a racist, but in certain situations it is very hard to not notice or even discriminate against those who are of a different color than I am. I am always kind to people from other races, but it can create a barrier that makes it awkward of difficult to be completely normal around each other. America is known as the giant "melting pot," so we are surrounded by so many different races and cultures. I think that more people need to learn the history of other races (such as Walt did with the Hmong in Gran Torino) in order to fully understand others and be less judgemental! We can all improve just a little bit more to make the world a better place :)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Master Your Metabolism
Lately I've been feeling kind of "blah" in the interesting book department. I needed to delve into a book or good read that would spark my interest. Being a proud health freak, I decided to read yet another health book called Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. I bet you're thinking this is a diet book and that I'm crazy, but you're wrong (well at least about the diet part book!)
This book is different from all other health books that I've read. The majority of them just talk about how calories matter and eat raw foods and make sure your meals are balanced. They never mentioned the importance of having your hormones in balance. Jillian describes the three steps to take control of your life: remove the toxic foods, restore the foods that make you healthy, and rebalance your hormones. So far I've only read the first step, so I'll keep you updated as I go along!
The first step (remove) was very interesting. I never knew how many different ingredients in foods can get your hormones out of whack. This is the reason why people gain weight or can never seem to lose it. I never realized any of this! I've been trying to avoid some of the bad ingredients, and I've also learned some fun facts. Attention Soda Drinkers: Do you drink soda from a plastic bottle? The majority of sodas contain either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. This chemical ingredient interacts negatively with plastic bottles and creates the CANCER CAUSING AGENT BENZENE. If you can, drink soda from aluminum cans instead or even better yet, avoid it all together!
This book is different from all other health books that I've read. The majority of them just talk about how calories matter and eat raw foods and make sure your meals are balanced. They never mentioned the importance of having your hormones in balance. Jillian describes the three steps to take control of your life: remove the toxic foods, restore the foods that make you healthy, and rebalance your hormones. So far I've only read the first step, so I'll keep you updated as I go along!
The first step (remove) was very interesting. I never knew how many different ingredients in foods can get your hormones out of whack. This is the reason why people gain weight or can never seem to lose it. I never realized any of this! I've been trying to avoid some of the bad ingredients, and I've also learned some fun facts. Attention Soda Drinkers: Do you drink soda from a plastic bottle? The majority of sodas contain either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. This chemical ingredient interacts negatively with plastic bottles and creates the CANCER CAUSING AGENT BENZENE. If you can, drink soda from aluminum cans instead or even better yet, avoid it all together!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The ANGRY God....Really?!?!
I have to admit that I was starting to get kind of worried after reading/annotating a few essays and discovering that I really didn't have much to say. Colonial history is not really my thing, so it was hard for me to participate in the discussions. When I opened my course reader to page 39 and saw that I was going to have to read an 11 page essay I said to myself sarcastically, "Oh boy, this is going to be a blast." Actually, I was right. I'm excited for our discussion tomorrow because I have LOTS to say about this essay.
If this essay made me one thing, it would be ANGRY. Kind of funny, isn't it? This essay described how God is an angry person, and in the end it turned me into one! I'm not the most religious person in the world, but I do know some things about God and Christianity, and I feel like this essay was definitely a counterpart to commonplace knowledge.
This essay was definitely written in a pessimistic tone, which could potentially be why it made me in such a bad mood. I pick up on those kind of things. I hated how the author constantly repeated phrases such as wrath of God and condemned to hell. Like honestly, how can he prove or back up any of the statements that he made? Did he have a one-on-one chat with God before he wrote this? I don't think so. Sure, he may have found some hell-bound and negative quotes from the Bible, but there are plenty more verses about how God forgives us and loves us unconditionally.
I did not spend more than five summers of my life at Bible Camp and hours at church to learn that God hates me. According to Edwards God apparently, "looks upon me as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire." Seriously?!? This is definitely not true. I've learned from countless songs and sermons that God loves me and everyone else--no matter what they do. We can be forgiven of our sins, no matter how bad they may be. God wants us to be happy.
Edwards essay is terrible, to be quite honest. I don't have strong emotions on many things, but this essay is definitely one of them! My religious faith has nothing to do with this argument that I'm making. Honestly, if our God was so spiteful and hated everyone like Edwards says, then our world would be a much different place and no one would have such strong beliefs or love for a God that wants everyone to burn in hell. This is ridiculous, I'm outta here!
Link: God So Does Love Us!
If this essay made me one thing, it would be ANGRY. Kind of funny, isn't it? This essay described how God is an angry person, and in the end it turned me into one! I'm not the most religious person in the world, but I do know some things about God and Christianity, and I feel like this essay was definitely a counterpart to commonplace knowledge.
This essay was definitely written in a pessimistic tone, which could potentially be why it made me in such a bad mood. I pick up on those kind of things. I hated how the author constantly repeated phrases such as wrath of God and condemned to hell. Like honestly, how can he prove or back up any of the statements that he made? Did he have a one-on-one chat with God before he wrote this? I don't think so. Sure, he may have found some hell-bound and negative quotes from the Bible, but there are plenty more verses about how God forgives us and loves us unconditionally.
I did not spend more than five summers of my life at Bible Camp and hours at church to learn that God hates me. According to Edwards God apparently, "looks upon me as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire." Seriously?!? This is definitely not true. I've learned from countless songs and sermons that God loves me and everyone else--no matter what they do. We can be forgiven of our sins, no matter how bad they may be. God wants us to be happy.
Edwards essay is terrible, to be quite honest. I don't have strong emotions on many things, but this essay is definitely one of them! My religious faith has nothing to do with this argument that I'm making. Honestly, if our God was so spiteful and hated everyone like Edwards says, then our world would be a much different place and no one would have such strong beliefs or love for a God that wants everyone to burn in hell. This is ridiculous, I'm outta here!
Link: God So Does Love Us!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Final Thoughts on AP Composition
The end of the quarter is always bittersweet. It's always exciting to get new classes, but sad to reminisce on all of the fun times you've had in your current classes. Just a warning, this post is going to be random and include little blurbs on my opinions, etc.
My favorite memory (along with the rest of the class I'm sure) is when the one and only Gus Kunkle came to visit us! Mr.Kunkle if you're reading this, please bring Gus back so we can see him again! He was the cutest little kid I've ever met. That should mean a lot coming from me (the kid hater). haha
Initally, I really enjoyed reading The Things They Carried. However, I have a different opinion now. It is still very saddening to hear the effects that have lasted on the soldiers after many decades, but frankly, I'm getting tired of it. I understand the pain they've gone through, but Tim O'Brien doesn't need to keep dragging it out. I've noticed that he likes to repeat certain stories OVER AND OVER again. I'm not a big fan of redundancy, so this is slowly getting on my nerves. The first half of the book, I have to admit, was very very well-written and enjoyable to read.
I hope that I won't lose any of the valuable vocabulary, reading, and writing skills by not having this class for a whole quarter. I feel that I made some progress in the vocab & reading department, but not so much the writing portion. (Kunk, you'll read about this in my portfolio.) I don't really know where my writing is going at this point, but hopefully it's in the right direction.
My favorite memory (along with the rest of the class I'm sure) is when the one and only Gus Kunkle came to visit us! Mr.Kunkle if you're reading this, please bring Gus back so we can see him again! He was the cutest little kid I've ever met. That should mean a lot coming from me (the kid hater). haha
Initally, I really enjoyed reading The Things They Carried. However, I have a different opinion now. It is still very saddening to hear the effects that have lasted on the soldiers after many decades, but frankly, I'm getting tired of it. I understand the pain they've gone through, but Tim O'Brien doesn't need to keep dragging it out. I've noticed that he likes to repeat certain stories OVER AND OVER again. I'm not a big fan of redundancy, so this is slowly getting on my nerves. The first half of the book, I have to admit, was very very well-written and enjoyable to read.
I hope that I won't lose any of the valuable vocabulary, reading, and writing skills by not having this class for a whole quarter. I feel that I made some progress in the vocab & reading department, but not so much the writing portion. (Kunk, you'll read about this in my portfolio.) I don't really know where my writing is going at this point, but hopefully it's in the right direction.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Importance of Good Health
Think of health in any way you want, it could be physical health, mental health, intellectual health, and overall health. Without your health, it's difficult to make it through the day. I've seen so many examples of poor health lately that it's been bringing me down (even though all aspects of my health are doing just fine). I thought I should get the message out and put in my two cents.
In our current book The Things They Carried, it seems to me that the soldiers are not in perfect health. They are fighting in a foreign land in a place filled with diseases (malaria, etc.) and also getting wounded or worse, killed, every day. Once soldiers return home from war, they are very likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder that will impair with their lives (Thank you, AP Psych). Clearly, war is not good for the physical or mental health of the young men and women of America.
It seems if the small fishbowl formally known as McFarland High School is fighting a war of its own: The Swine Flu! It's a rare occasion to have every single student present in a classroom because of this terrible illness. Even in our seven person AP Comp class, we usually have at least one person gone! Stock up on sanitizer everyone and wash those hands!!
On Sunday, a person who I am lucky enough to call my best friend had to go to the hospital. This person is still there three days later. I went to visit last night (as I'll continue to do every night), and it broke my heart. More than anything, my friend needs to be healthy. I've realized that there are so many unhealthy people surrounding me and in the news that I should be truly grateful for how healthy I am.
In our current book The Things They Carried, it seems to me that the soldiers are not in perfect health. They are fighting in a foreign land in a place filled with diseases (malaria, etc.) and also getting wounded or worse, killed, every day. Once soldiers return home from war, they are very likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder that will impair with their lives (Thank you, AP Psych). Clearly, war is not good for the physical or mental health of the young men and women of America.
It seems if the small fishbowl formally known as McFarland High School is fighting a war of its own: The Swine Flu! It's a rare occasion to have every single student present in a classroom because of this terrible illness. Even in our seven person AP Comp class, we usually have at least one person gone! Stock up on sanitizer everyone and wash those hands!!
On Sunday, a person who I am lucky enough to call my best friend had to go to the hospital. This person is still there three days later. I went to visit last night (as I'll continue to do every night), and it broke my heart. More than anything, my friend needs to be healthy. I've realized that there are so many unhealthy people surrounding me and in the news that I should be truly grateful for how healthy I am.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Riots in Madison, WI Hit Home for Me
A little more than forty years ago, there were student protests occurring right on our very own UW-Madison campus. As some of you may know, my grandpa Richard Osterloth (who passed away in 2006) was one of the brave police officers who was involved in the Dow riots. Sadly, he was hit in the head with a cinder block from a mean student and had to be rushed to the hospital. In his living room, he had a large photograph of him in the crowd of students right before he was attacked. In seventh grade I interviewed him about this for my history class. It meant a lot to me to watch Two Days in October because it felt like it brought me a little closer to my grandpa, whom I miss very very much!
I felt like Two Days in October really captured both sides of the Vietnam War. Actually, I didn't know anything about this war (except what my grandpa had told me), so it was nice to hear both the United States and Vietnam viewpoints instead of just the biased US one. Overall, it was a very enjoyable movie.
Our novel, The Things They Carried, is also very intriguing to read. I'm not really a war geek, but I think I'll enjoy reading this novel about the war. I felt very empathetic for Tim O'Brian when he found out that he was drafted. I would've had an IMPOSSIBLE time deciding if I should run away or leave for war and potentially die.
After reading Lampert Smith's essay, Times Have Changed For Student Protesters, I must admit that I was a little bit appalled. If students think they'd rather watch Grey's Anatomy than protest, they obviously aren't very dedicated or devoted to their cause. Clearly, they're being lazy. I think new technologies like texting and facebook would be helpful for spreading the word about protesting--but getting your lazy butt off the couch is the first step here.
I felt like Two Days in October really captured both sides of the Vietnam War. Actually, I didn't know anything about this war (except what my grandpa had told me), so it was nice to hear both the United States and Vietnam viewpoints instead of just the biased US one. Overall, it was a very enjoyable movie.
Our novel, The Things They Carried, is also very intriguing to read. I'm not really a war geek, but I think I'll enjoy reading this novel about the war. I felt very empathetic for Tim O'Brian when he found out that he was drafted. I would've had an IMPOSSIBLE time deciding if I should run away or leave for war and potentially die.
After reading Lampert Smith's essay, Times Have Changed For Student Protesters, I must admit that I was a little bit appalled. If students think they'd rather watch Grey's Anatomy than protest, they obviously aren't very dedicated or devoted to their cause. Clearly, they're being lazy. I think new technologies like texting and facebook would be helpful for spreading the word about protesting--but getting your lazy butt off the couch is the first step here.
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