Friday, May 20, 2011

Final Persuasive Essay

                English class has always been pretty easy for me, but just when I thought there was no more that I could be taught, I found out otherwise. As an effort to keep up, I have tried even harder than ever to improve my writing skills. Now, I think I’m at least a “B+” student, if not an “A.” I think that my improved poetry, as well as my knowledge of how to blog, have contributed to that grade.

                Maybe some people in the class think I don’t deserve that grade, because I don’t contribute much in class discussions. Maybe they think I don’t deserve it because I rush my work, getting it done quickly. However, I try to make sure my contributions are more thought out, so fewer people misunderstand, and though I finish my work quickly, it still somehow turns out well written.

                Something that could contribute to me getting a “B+” or “A” would be my progress in poetry. Before, I wasn’t really clever enough to come up with rhymes that actually sounded right. I wasn’t even much of a fan of poetry before. Now, I can think of a word with several simple, usable rhymes and just plow right through the writing of a poem. With poems that only require certain amounts of syllables, no rhyme needed, that still works out for me, and I can write them very easily. With an improvement in poem writing, I can take any poem and write it now.

                Another thing that could give me an “A” or a “B+” is my knowledge of blogging. I had never used a blog before, but I soon found out they were quite simple. It’s really not too different from creating a website. All you need is a knowledge of how to write well, and how to upload documents- both of which I have. I have done similar things in the past, and an understanding of using them has helped me now. I have also gotten the Post of the Week at least once before. I… also went a little overboard with one of the blog posts by creating a video for the sonnet and putting it at the end of the post, though there was no need to have made the video. If this doesn’t get me the grade I’d hoped for, I don’t know what will.

                I should at least get a “B+” or an “A” with my better poetry writing and knowledge of blog posts. I have really progressed (and gone a little overboard) in those areas. That said, I really hope I get the grade I hope for.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Immortal

I made this with Windows Movie Maker instead of Photostory. I think it turned out well.

My Life Stretched Out Before (Villanelle)

Advancing through my life stretched out before
Doing all the things I had hoped I would
Through these things my life will not be a bore

Cherishing my young frog at my heart's core
To raise it until it hits adulthood
Advancing through my life stretched out before

Then working on my drawing a bit more
For a job as an artist would be good
Through these things my life will not be a bore

Creating games online that aren't in stores
Living the life fictional people should
Advancing through my life stretched out before

Taking a career as a zookeeper
Caring for animals as many would
Through these things my life will not be a bore

Then finally becoming an author
Writing stories I didn't know I could
Advancing through my life stretched out before
Through these things my life will not be a bore

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Sonnet to Riku

You did not choose the path to dark nor light
Yet chose the middle road: the Way to Dawn
Against your inner darkness you did fight
Did not give in until the battle won
And though your hair is silver you're not old
And your agility is very great
You can see through the brightest light so gold
And will not feed the darkness with your hate
Through all your trails your strength has now grown
You do what must be done to help your friend
The darkness in your heart is now your own
And now your journey has come to an end
And since you're now a Wielder of the Key
I hope you pass the Mark of Mastery

I also made a video out of the sonnet. Yes, I know I went a bit overboard...

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Outside Reading: Immortal

My new book that I am reading is titled Immortal. I have finished the book rather quickly, but the end leaves a whole lot unsaid. Although it seems that Sebastian is the main romantic interest, it is quickly revealed that he is also the main antagonist, although he does not want to be. He also appears to have dissapeared but it is really unclear as to how or where to. Could he have finally faded away and become a demon, or did he leave so he could protect Evie? I'm really confused about that...

I wonder if Mrs. Hartle or the other Dark Sisters are still alive. They were swept up in the giant wave Evie created and went missing, but they may still be alive. If they are, Evie and her friends are in huge trouble. I also wonder if Evie will get to see Sebastian again. Personally, I think they are really good together, although they are enemies.

If I were Evie, I'd try to find Sebastian in any way I can. I wouldn't want for him to fade into the shadows, no matter what. I'd also ask Sarah and Helen to join me, so that the circle would all be there. I wouldn't have to ask Agnes, because she would always be with me anyways. I could count on her to guide me to him, and Helen's ability to use the wind to teleport would come in handy as well.

I realized near the end of the story that Evie's water, upon licking over Sebastian by mistake, seemed to revive him a little. Maybe Evie's water is all he needs to stay alive for some time, not Agnes' fire. If that's true, then there really is some hope left for these two to be together. But if that's true, then why would Sebastian have left? Wouldn't he have realized this?

I'm not sure if the boarding school really would be mostly the same after everything that happened. With Mrs. Hartle missing, wouldn't Mrs. Scratton want to change some of the rules? She seemed to know what was going on, but she's really going to keep all the same rules? I would expect her to be a bit more lenient. Then again, she was one of the more strict teachers in the story.

I'm surprised by how little significance Laura, a girl who was mentioned several times earlier on in the story, had to the overall plot. I admit I really did half expect her ghost to appear in the story, but not with a vengeance like Celeste claimed. I thought that she would be Evie's dream self, but it turns out that Agnes got that role instead.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Riddle

You have seen me a hundred times
Yet these days I am obsolete
I guide people through the dark
So in blackened castle halls they can meet

I can feel the sweat of the hands
Of the person carrying me
As well as the burning toungues of flame
Which lick up and down my body

The only thing that I fear
Is falling on the cold wet ground
Or water being thrown upon me
For if so, my light is doused