If I Should Have a Daughter
Sarah Kay explores a theme of motherhood and love in her heart warming poem "If I Should Have a Daughter". Rather than having her daughter refer to her as "Mom" she instead insists upon "point b, so she knows if she gets lost she can always find her way back to [her]". The creative analogies within her poem describe how she's going to look out for her daughter to the best of her ability throughout her life. Sarah's compassion within this poem is obvious and is what I love most about it. The poem is adorable and you can tell she's sincere while she performs it. Growing up is tough and she understands that sometimes you simply need "chocolate and rain boots" to get through a difficult situation. The mood of the poem is one of care, love and compassion. Sarah's original, adorable ideas of how she's going to take care of her daughter and lovely performance are what makes this poem exceptional.
Instructions for a Bad Day
Shane Koyczan in his poem "Instructions for a Bad Day" reveals a theme of optimism and persistence. Bad days are inevitable. Even when a person feels as if they're trapped in the dark, "the sun and the moon are still there and there is always light". The poem speaks of better tomorrows and although "every nightmare has a beginning, every bad day has an end". He speaks of pain and suffering and how those feelings are valid but will not last. Shane has an understanding of humanity that stands out particularly in this poem. He has been through rough times, as has everyone, but the way he describes them is what makes this poem truly outstanding. The mood is happy and optimistic and the cheerful feel of this poem is what I like best. If all people took advice from Shane and his poetry, the world would likely be a much happier place.
Pretty
Katie explores beauty standards in today's society in her poem "Pretty". As a young child, Katie constantly wondered, "will I be pretty? will I be rich?" Those shallow goals engraved into her adolescent mind shaped this poem and the harsh truth is what makes it. Society's emphasis attractiveness is ridiculous and sometimes it seems as though only the beautiful are recognized or successful. Rather than being focusing on her many other qualities, Katie was caught up on her physical imperfections. While laying on a hospital bed with her "face packed with gauze" she realizes that mutilating her body for aesthetic isn't going to make her feel any better. For her daughter she wishes for her to never ask if she's pretty. She wants her to be "pretty intelligent, pretty creative and pretty amazing but ... never merely pretty". The strong message and mood of empowerment make this poem fantastic and I loved every moment of it.
Monday 9 June 2014
Monday 28 April 2014
Dead Poet's Society
Individuality is a concept previously unknown to the boys of the strict school, Welton high. When Mr.Keating is introduced as the new English teacher, their lives are enhanced by his strange teaching strategies and lively lessons. Unlike traditional classes, the lessons taught by Keating range from seizing the day to changing outlooks on life. Peter Weir does an excellent job of portraying the importance of useful lessons such as "carpe diem" rather than conventional classroom ones in his film "Dead Poets Society"
Carpe diem is mentioned often in the film. Within the strict, dull walls of the school, the idea to seize the day emerges after Mr. Keating shows his students pictures of former graduates. He informs them that some of the boys were so focused on their studies that they neglected to take the time to take chances, risks or truly live. A common misconception is that good grades are the only way to success but, as the boys learn, that isn't necessarily true. "Carpe diem" is what opened their minds to new ideas and influenced them to live life to it's fullest and to seize every day. From Neil pursuing his hidden talent of acting and standing up to his controlling father to Knox taking the courage to recite poetry to his secret love, the boys learn that taking chances is essential and adds liveliness to their formerly mundane lives. The inspiration from Mr.Keating is what influenced the boys to take advantage of their days and to live with spirit.
Along with living a full, spirited life, he tells the students that it is important to keep an open, flexible mind and to look at things from different and changing points of view. He makes them literally climb on top of a desk and have a look around. This unusual expression for "changing points of view" teaches his students more than any bland text book possibly could and is a lesson they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Keating also has his students tear pages out of their textbooks that he thinks of as useless, intellectual rubbish. In his view, a book is not a sacred authority, but a tool that should be used if wanted. He frequently reminds the boys to think for themselves, and not just to accept what teachers or textbooks try to tell them.
Keating's lessons are not from books but rather life lessons that will be important throughout the boys lives. For one of his classes, he brings the whole group outside and makes them walk around the yard. As the students walk, they more and more adjust their steps to those of the other students, and shortly the casual walk turns into a march. Keating begins to clap his hands and the students all join into the clapping and marching. After a while Keating stops the exercise and explains how it is difficult for people to listen to their own voice or maintain their own beliefs in the presence of others. He further explains that there is a need in us all to be accepted but it's also important to be yourself and be unique. This message inspires Todd to overcome his shyness and Knox to declare his love to Chris, even though the odds are against him. It also drives Neil to pursue his love of acting and to audition for a Midsummer Night's Dream, despite the disapproval from his father. Keating encourages him to take the role and reveal his true self to his father. Although this didn't work out very well for Neil in the end, it is important that he was honest to himself and family.
From individuality to different perspectives and seizing the day, Keating truly enriched the lives of his pupils. Rather than filling their brains with bland, irrelevant nonsense from a text book, he teaches them how to live and suck the marrow out of life. His obscure lessons and lively personality impact the boys in more ways than one and they will be grateful for such a teacher or "captain" for as long as they live.
Carpe diem is mentioned often in the film. Within the strict, dull walls of the school, the idea to seize the day emerges after Mr. Keating shows his students pictures of former graduates. He informs them that some of the boys were so focused on their studies that they neglected to take the time to take chances, risks or truly live. A common misconception is that good grades are the only way to success but, as the boys learn, that isn't necessarily true. "Carpe diem" is what opened their minds to new ideas and influenced them to live life to it's fullest and to seize every day. From Neil pursuing his hidden talent of acting and standing up to his controlling father to Knox taking the courage to recite poetry to his secret love, the boys learn that taking chances is essential and adds liveliness to their formerly mundane lives. The inspiration from Mr.Keating is what influenced the boys to take advantage of their days and to live with spirit.
Along with living a full, spirited life, he tells the students that it is important to keep an open, flexible mind and to look at things from different and changing points of view. He makes them literally climb on top of a desk and have a look around. This unusual expression for "changing points of view" teaches his students more than any bland text book possibly could and is a lesson they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Keating also has his students tear pages out of their textbooks that he thinks of as useless, intellectual rubbish. In his view, a book is not a sacred authority, but a tool that should be used if wanted. He frequently reminds the boys to think for themselves, and not just to accept what teachers or textbooks try to tell them.
Keating's lessons are not from books but rather life lessons that will be important throughout the boys lives. For one of his classes, he brings the whole group outside and makes them walk around the yard. As the students walk, they more and more adjust their steps to those of the other students, and shortly the casual walk turns into a march. Keating begins to clap his hands and the students all join into the clapping and marching. After a while Keating stops the exercise and explains how it is difficult for people to listen to their own voice or maintain their own beliefs in the presence of others. He further explains that there is a need in us all to be accepted but it's also important to be yourself and be unique. This message inspires Todd to overcome his shyness and Knox to declare his love to Chris, even though the odds are against him. It also drives Neil to pursue his love of acting and to audition for a Midsummer Night's Dream, despite the disapproval from his father. Keating encourages him to take the role and reveal his true self to his father. Although this didn't work out very well for Neil in the end, it is important that he was honest to himself and family.
From individuality to different perspectives and seizing the day, Keating truly enriched the lives of his pupils. Rather than filling their brains with bland, irrelevant nonsense from a text book, he teaches them how to live and suck the marrow out of life. His obscure lessons and lively personality impact the boys in more ways than one and they will be grateful for such a teacher or "captain" for as long as they live.
Friday 14 March 2014
A h-art felt rescue
Shauna Morrow
123 Green Ave
Hell, Norway
V2A 3W1
February 10, 2011
Inspector Clouseau
Chief of Police
123 Rue Justice
Paris, France
1A2 R3T
Dear Inspector Clouseau:
I would like to apologize for allowing the Mona Lisa to burn. Although DaVinci's greatest work was incredibly famous, loved, and influential, the life of an innocent citizen was far more important. At first, my instinct was to rescue Mona Lisa from being engulfed in flames. A work of art classified as "priceless" would most certainly be worthy of being rescued. As I reached for the painting, I abruptly stopped. If I were to save the Mona Lisa, Ada Artlover would perish. The Mona Lisa may be priceless in terms of money, but a life is far more valuable than any inanimate object, no matter how historic it may be. I barely knew Ada but letting her burn would be morally wrong and I would regret it for the rest of my days. I can live with letting a painting burn because a painting was never alive.
The Mona Lisa will live forever, whether through photos, videos or stories. When the physical copy went up in flames, it's legacy did not burn with it. The amount of footage of the painting will keep it's memory and it is unlikely that the average person would see it in person anyhow. Although Mona is the world's most famous painting,the amount that have physically witnessed it is few. The loss of Mona is a travesty, but her sly smile will stay engraved within minds for eternity.
Ada is an average woman. It is obvious that she will never be as important to society as the Mona Lisa but to her family and friends, she's as priceless as the work of art. I could not even begin to fathom their horror after discovering that a person decided a lifeless wall decoration was worth letting their loved one perish in flames. If I had saved the Mona Lisa, they would view me as a murderer with taste. Saving Ada has made me a hero with soul. Soul is far more important than taste, and that is why I rescued Ada.
Sincerely,
Shauna Morrow
Shauna Morrow
Tuesday 4 March 2014
An apple a day
A thick aroma of cleaning supply filled my nostrils as I stared blankly at the dull, white wall of the waiting room. Uneasiness and disease clung to every corner of the hospital and the atmosphere made me immensely anxious. Although the urge to simply stride directly out of the hospital was dominant, I knew I couldn't leave now, not my family, not with the state of my grandfather unknown. A tapping of a nervous foot filled the tense, stagnant air, piercing through the silent halls. No one in the room dared speak a word. I shifted uncomfortably against the torn, teal, vinyl covering of the outdated chairs, muscles longing for movement. My family and I had been seated in the same position for hours, still with no word of my grandfather's health. A murmur of voices echoed down adjacent halls as a man dressed in doctor's wear emerged through a dull, lavender coloured door. The wrinkles already forming on his otherwise youthful face were unnerving, as was his neutral expression. It was clear that he had delivered this speech on too many occasions to too many families. Rigid, we sat and impatiently awaited his word. My mothers eyes so filled with fearful hope when we arrived were looking drained now, heavier. His empathetic voice broke through the silence,
"I'm sorry," he announced. He needn't speak another word. The atmosphere dropped immediately. Tears began to flow from heart broken eyes leaving a glistening, salty trail behind. Ironically, my grandfather owned a fruit shop stocked with many goods; particularly apples. I suppose they couldn't save him this time.
"I'm sorry," he announced. He needn't speak another word. The atmosphere dropped immediately. Tears began to flow from heart broken eyes leaving a glistening, salty trail behind. Ironically, my grandfather owned a fruit shop stocked with many goods; particularly apples. I suppose they couldn't save him this time.
Friday 21 February 2014
an unbearable truth
Gail Helgason's short story, "Bluffing" illustrates a grisly bear attack at Jasper park, but is the event truly as described? After foolishly sprinting from a startled grizzly, main character, Liam, claims that he fled the scene in order for "the bear to come after [him] instead of [Gabriella]." His previous actions throughout the story are unbearable and prove this statement to be false. Being an excessively controlling person, Liam is not fond of being told what to do and isn't "always willing to learn from people that might know more than he [does]." Although he claimed to have listened and learned from Gabriella about the proper way to respond to wildlife, it is clear that he didn't after being mauled by the fur-ocious beast. It is also quite clear that his interests are selfish and self oriented. Even knowing that Gabriella would not be able to pay for the lease on their house for the year, he still decided to "head down south" with his climbing coworker because it would "make all the difference for [him]." Climbing rocks at Yosemite appears to be of more importance to him than assisting his own girlfriend. It is also evident that his tale is false because lying is something he does often. When he sees a couple while climbing with Gabriella, he blatantly fibs and says that he saw "an elk carcass by the lake" so that they would have the lake to themselves. Although he may say he was only attempting to save Gabriella,
his lying, selfish nature says otherwise.
his lying, selfish nature says otherwise.
Thursday 6 February 2014
mys-tea-rious woman
Bells tinkled as I creaked open the door to a remote tea shop at the end of town. Usually an aroma of tea leaves and incense filled my nose as I entered but today the scent was stagnant, stale. From behind a dense cloud of pungent smoke stood a mystic woman with a cigarette in hand. She leaned on a frail, leathery arm against the faded wood counter as she released a new puff of smoke into the air. The shade from her large woven hat obscured my vision of her face but you could tell that her eyes were intently watching me as I tentatively stepped into the dingy, ageing shop. As the store was old and dying it was rare that anyone besides the regulars ran the it; this woman was new. Brittle grey hair protruded from beneath her hat, frizzing and floating lightly in every which direction. Her gaze from me did not shift, even as I returned eye contact.
"Hello." I mumbled as to make the situation less uncomfortable. She stared for another few seconds before responding with a rasp,
"Hello."
Years of past experiences sculpted her every wrinkle, harsh crevices carving into her delicate, sun damaged skin like erosion across a weathered mountainside. Her clothing and penciled eyebrows depicted that she was most likely in her 70's, as she donned a 40's era style. Between the smoky fume and uneasy stares from the mysterious woman, I decided it would be in my best interest to leave. With one last glance at the peculiar sales person, I strode out into the fresh, crisp fall air.
"Hello." I mumbled as to make the situation less uncomfortable. She stared for another few seconds before responding with a rasp,
"Hello."
Years of past experiences sculpted her every wrinkle, harsh crevices carving into her delicate, sun damaged skin like erosion across a weathered mountainside. Her clothing and penciled eyebrows depicted that she was most likely in her 70's, as she donned a 40's era style. Between the smoky fume and uneasy stares from the mysterious woman, I decided it would be in my best interest to leave. With one last glance at the peculiar sales person, I strode out into the fresh, crisp fall air.
Tuesday 4 February 2014
she lives for to-morrow
Life is an adventure and Shauna has lived many. She has solved numerous perplexing mysteries, explored the depths of the Pacific Ocean, trekked through treacherous terrains and even overthrown entire empires. Of course, she hasn't experienced these first hand but rather through her avid reading and writing. With colour flowing through veins and a plethora of universes swimming through her mind, her creativity could be described as contagious. Although Shauna loves writing, she also dabbles in the artistic field.
Hours of her day are spent with pen in hand, continuously sketching, drawing. If she is not at home creating masterpieces, she is either at school or dance. At one time she genuinely enjoyed attending school but lately it has become more of a burden than anything else. Just thinking about school is utterly exhausting and draining, despite the fact that she's an extremely capable student. Tap is a ray of sunshine for Shauna in a seemingly never ending storm. She dreams of one day being a tap dancer, an author, and an artist all at once. Of course, this is highly unlikely but her dreams fuel her and give her hope when there appears to be none.
Another dominant portion of Shauna's life is spent simply thinking and day dreaming. With a Walter Mitty-esque state of mind, she often has a distant, dreamy gaze. She dreams of becoming a better person, a better writer, a better artist, and a better dancer. Unfortunately, merely thinking about things is not actually doing the things that are needed in order to improve. Although she may say she's an aspiring artist, without an effort her words mean nothing, and in fact, are nothing.
So, who exactly is Shauna Morrow? A question that perhaps may never be answered. One day an author, another an artist, and the next, a dreamer. She can't be defined for she just is. Fluid like the ocean, she's ever changing. Who knows when the tide will come in and wash away the remnants of her former self, leaving a clean slate behind for her to build on.
I am t r a s h that is going no where. I can't even do a simple English project. Goodbye world, perhaps in another life.I DON'T LIKE SAYING GOOD THINGS ABOUT MYSELF BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT TRUE I AM TRASH I AM TRASH I AM TRASH I DON'T DESERVE LIFE.
Hours of her day are spent with pen in hand, continuously sketching, drawing. If she is not at home creating masterpieces, she is either at school or dance. At one time she genuinely enjoyed attending school but lately it has become more of a burden than anything else. Just thinking about school is utterly exhausting and draining, despite the fact that she's an extremely capable student. Tap is a ray of sunshine for Shauna in a seemingly never ending storm. She dreams of one day being a tap dancer, an author, and an artist all at once. Of course, this is highly unlikely but her dreams fuel her and give her hope when there appears to be none.
Another dominant portion of Shauna's life is spent simply thinking and day dreaming. With a Walter Mitty-esque state of mind, she often has a distant, dreamy gaze. She dreams of becoming a better person, a better writer, a better artist, and a better dancer. Unfortunately, merely thinking about things is not actually doing the things that are needed in order to improve. Although she may say she's an aspiring artist, without an effort her words mean nothing, and in fact, are nothing.
So, who exactly is Shauna Morrow? A question that perhaps may never be answered. One day an author, another an artist, and the next, a dreamer. She can't be defined for she just is. Fluid like the ocean, she's ever changing. Who knows when the tide will come in and wash away the remnants of her former self, leaving a clean slate behind for her to build on.
I am t r a s h that is going no where. I can't even do a simple English project. Goodbye world, perhaps in another life.I DON'T LIKE SAYING GOOD THINGS ABOUT MYSELF BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT TRUE I AM TRASH I AM TRASH I AM TRASH I DON'T DESERVE LIFE.
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