week 9 comments

Gautam- The Lord of the Flies 

Sutter- Lord of the Flies 

Lord of the Flies chapters 1-2

Even though we have only read a couple chapters of "Lord of the Flies," I already have many questions and also many thoughts about the future of the story. It is a very interesting plot, and as I look into it closely I can see many things that all relate together and foreshadow what's to come. One of the main things that I find very interesting is how the island is very much pig-oriented. First off, one of the main characters is piggy, the island is mostly pink, and has a pigtail, and also there are pigs all over the island. I feel like piggy might have more to him than is shown right now. He is already a very interesting character and seems to be smarter and more careful than many of the other characters, which leads many people to gain a disliking for him. 

  I also find the way that the characters act to be very interesting. I found it strange how they were so calm and almost excited to be on this island with no adults. But in chapter two I can already see how their mindsets are changing. They realize that they may be there for a while and that the island holds more to it than they thought. They become a little bit negative and also make a couple irrational decisions, like starting a forest fire. Fear can do a lot to people, and I think that it will affect many of the characters as the story goes on. 

Human Nature

I believe that all humans are born with a clean slate. We all start off with a clear mind and all have the ability to be good or bad. Then our minds get shaped with everything that goes on around us and by the people who we are most close to. If someone's parents teach them certain things and set an example of how to act then they will probably think and act very similarly. But still, as we get older we have the ability to change.
 Once we know how to think for ourselves we all have the ability to be the way that we want. It all depends on how open minded you want to be. If you let yourself truly think for yourself it is much easier to see the good in things, and therefore be a good person yourself. In conclusion, I think that everyone is full of possibility and the ways that they choose to develop themselves shapes who they are as people.

comments week 8

Anna- fall 

Ella- fall break 10/17

All the Bright places

This week my book has gotten me very involved and excited to read. I have learned more about both characters, Violet and Finch and have been have learned more about them as characters. Finch seems to be starting to fall for Violet even though he denies it to her. Violet is also having some of these same feelings but is very reluctant about them. Violet is having torn feelings about whether to stop hanging out with Finch and stay with her judgy friend group, or hang out with him anyways and ignore what her friends think. 

  

  This problem that violet is experiencing is very present in many real life relationships. Many people like to have the approval of their friends and people who hold expectations of them. This sometimes stops people from hanging out and getting to know certain people. I hope that violet decides that what her friends think of her doesn’t matter because I think that Finch brings out something in her that is making her happy again. 

fall break

For fall break this past weekend I went to Malibu, California to visit my best friend Jamison. Jamison moved to California from Baton Rouge right before school started. It was very sudden, and a big shock to all of us. It was very sad to see her leave and I have missed her every day since she has left. This weekend was amazing. I had never been to California before, and now I see it as one of my favorite places. 

     I flew on a direct flight from New Orleans to Los Angeles by myself. I felt very independent and free as I stepped onto the plane and took my seat. I was beginning a new adventure all by myself and my heart raced as the plane picked up speed and we touched off the familiar ground. When I landed I met Jamison’s mom at the baggage claim and we headed for Malibu. The traffic was pretty bad, but I didn’t really mind because all that was around me was a new sight to see and it was beautiful. 

   

 We then picked up Jamison from school and as soon as we saw each other everything was exactly how it was two months ago. We did so many fun and breathtaking things over the couple of days that I was with her. We went shopping in Santa Monica, we went on a hike with amazing views of talented surfers and bright blue water. We went to the beach and jumped into the crashing waves. Today we went to the Venice boardwalk and got some good vibes. it was great to see my best friend, and to also experience a new place that I had never been before! I already can’t wait to go back! 

comments week 7

Sydney- procrastination 

Laura- response 

Procrastination: Is Your Future Self Getting a Bad Deal?

   I read "Procrastination: Is Your Future Self Getting a Bad Deal?" by Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. for Psychology Today.  As I started reading I was confused on what the author was trying to express. At first, I thought that the article would be about the long term consequences on ourselves due to procrastination. As I continued I realized the main points that the author was getting out. He explained how procrastinating is due to a lack of willpower and courage to get the job in the present done, but also the moral of the present self in relation to the future self. Pychyl expressed that if we had more empathy for our future selves it would prevent us from making such present-based decisions. Because by putting the job onto our future selves, we are assaulting them.

    What I especially thought was very interesting was how Pychyl linked our future selves to our relationships with other people. Normally, we think about other people and we don't put our responsibilities on them. If we were to think about our future selves like other people and put ourselves in their shoes it would help us get the job done now, and not put the burden on our future selves.  I think that this point is very helpful and is a good way to think about things that need to get done that we don't necessarily want to do.

comments week 6

Bea- Free post 


Danny- my school 

All the Bright Places

I am reading "All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven,  so far I really like it. It switches back between the two perspectives of the two main characters Violet and Theodore finch. They both are going through a really hard time and are trying to find their way back to normal. Theodore chooses violet to be his partner for a project. Niven uses details to bring us into the story, and I can imagine how the characters are feeling.
 I also have been frustrated with a few of the characters decisions, which shows that the author, doesn't always choose things that are going to make the readers satisfied, which in my opinion makes the story better. The mood of the story so far is a little depressed, but also hopeful. I think that the project where Violet and Theodore have to go travel and see places from their hometown will bring them closer together and help them resolve their personal problems. I am anxious to see how both characters change and grow.

How I see it

Today I had a swim meet, we are two meets away from our city meet, and after that is the state meet. One of my main swimming goals this year is to make the state cut for breast stroke. I did not necessarily come into this season even thinking that I could possibly make the state cut. But it is a possibility. Today I did not swim as well as I wanted to, and as I pulled myself out of the pool after using all of my energy in a competitive race of 100 yards of breaststroke, I realized that my time had not even dropped, but instead it had gained about 1 second.  My mind sank back to the bottom of the heavily chlorinated pool and I reluctantly went to go talk to my coach.
 I know that It is possible for me to make the state cut, but I also know that part of it all depends on How I see it.  I need to want it, I need to want it so much that I go to practice every day with the mindset of turning my current one minute and thirty-two seconds into a one minute and twenty-five seconds. There is no need for me to take over my life with this goal, and I need to let myself relax. I know that the best that I can do is trying my hardest, and working towards this. I will be very proud and overjoyed if this dream comes true. But, sometimes it can't always go my way, and if it doesn't happen this year, I will be open to the possibility of next year. No matter what, I will keep a positive attitude, and not let myself get brought down.