Saturday, June 6, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Metacognition: A thought about thinking about thoughts
Throughout this year I have developed different habits of mind in order to aid the rate at which I learn and improve my comprehension of the subject. I have been able to relate past events to current events. This has helped me create bridges between things which at first seen unalike. This alone is un-helpful which caused me to learn how to distinguish between significant and insignificant parts of discussion and the textbook. By using empathy I was better able to relate the past to the present, furthering my first habit of mind. These major habits of mind as well as lesser ones I have developed throughout this year have allowed me to improve myself in both history as well as multiple other classes.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Quiz: Waiting for Snow in Havana
List three conflicts and describe them.
1. Conflict between Carlos and religion and his need to justify to himself that there is a god with proofs. He constant involvement of religion in his writing shows that this struggle is still a continuing in his life.
2. Carlos' struggle with adapting to American culture. This is shown with his hatred of some American things such as the word "firecracker".
3. Struggle to let go of events that took place in his childhood such as losing everything that mattered to him. This conflict really isn't about the material possessions he owned more about the people he left behind, his need to become an adult at 11, and having to drastically change his entire life.
Choose three motifs/ symbols.
1. Jesus: he appears only to Carlos. This is to symbolize, in a sense, Judgement day for Cuba. It was the end of his life and the start of his new life.
2. Cuba shaped clouds: He claims to have seen thousands of clouds shaped like Cuba when he least expects to see them. This symbolizes that he still has not let go of the life he left behind in Cuba.
3. eye Jesus: This is the plate that no matter where you look is staring at you. This represents his belief that god is always watching you.
Name one major and one minor theme.
Major theme: One of the major themes of this book his the difference between economic well being in Cuba based on race. he expresses this through him not wanting to eat black foods because he believes he will turn black and be treated worse.
Minor theme: One minor theme is his hatred of some aspects of american culture. This is shown through his hatred of Speedy Gonzolas and the word "firecracker". This shows his resentment of being forced to leave Cuba.
Describe two moments in which it is describing how he is describing his memories that are bittersweet in away.
One bitter sweet moment is when he is wipped by his father because his brother brakes a antique with his shoe. The sweet part of this moment is wipping Carlos shows that his father wants him to learn what is right and what is wrong. The bitter part of this moment is the pain enflicted upon Carlos for something he did not even truely cause. This is unexpected because when an author wants to show that his parent cares about him they don't pick moments where they are being cruely punished.
Another bitter sweet moment is when Carlos and the other children are having a rock fight. It shows the fun he and his friends had during his childhood before he leaves for America. Although this is a sweet moment because of the happiness they share it is also a sad moment because of its consequence.
Theme of Forgivness or humor:
There is a strong theme of humor. This humor is shown in many unexpected ways. These ways can be both sad and funny. There are many examples which I am prepared to tell you about. One is when they are body bording and Ernesto is pushed onto his head. Another is when the lizard jumps onto his grandmother and she vows to never venture outside again. When they hide his aunts jewlery, when he dreams the portrat is cursing at him, and when his is being chased by a statue of a torso are all unexpectedly hilarious when you look at it with an unmiture view.
1. Conflict between Carlos and religion and his need to justify to himself that there is a god with proofs. He constant involvement of religion in his writing shows that this struggle is still a continuing in his life.
2. Carlos' struggle with adapting to American culture. This is shown with his hatred of some American things such as the word "firecracker".
3. Struggle to let go of events that took place in his childhood such as losing everything that mattered to him. This conflict really isn't about the material possessions he owned more about the people he left behind, his need to become an adult at 11, and having to drastically change his entire life.
Choose three motifs/ symbols.
1. Jesus: he appears only to Carlos. This is to symbolize, in a sense, Judgement day for Cuba. It was the end of his life and the start of his new life.
2. Cuba shaped clouds: He claims to have seen thousands of clouds shaped like Cuba when he least expects to see them. This symbolizes that he still has not let go of the life he left behind in Cuba.
3. eye Jesus: This is the plate that no matter where you look is staring at you. This represents his belief that god is always watching you.
Name one major and one minor theme.
Major theme: One of the major themes of this book his the difference between economic well being in Cuba based on race. he expresses this through him not wanting to eat black foods because he believes he will turn black and be treated worse.
Minor theme: One minor theme is his hatred of some aspects of american culture. This is shown through his hatred of Speedy Gonzolas and the word "firecracker". This shows his resentment of being forced to leave Cuba.
Describe two moments in which it is describing how he is describing his memories that are bittersweet in away.
One bitter sweet moment is when he is wipped by his father because his brother brakes a antique with his shoe. The sweet part of this moment is wipping Carlos shows that his father wants him to learn what is right and what is wrong. The bitter part of this moment is the pain enflicted upon Carlos for something he did not even truely cause. This is unexpected because when an author wants to show that his parent cares about him they don't pick moments where they are being cruely punished.
Another bitter sweet moment is when Carlos and the other children are having a rock fight. It shows the fun he and his friends had during his childhood before he leaves for America. Although this is a sweet moment because of the happiness they share it is also a sad moment because of its consequence.
Theme of Forgivness or humor:
There is a strong theme of humor. This humor is shown in many unexpected ways. These ways can be both sad and funny. There are many examples which I am prepared to tell you about. One is when they are body bording and Ernesto is pushed onto his head. Another is when the lizard jumps onto his grandmother and she vows to never venture outside again. When they hide his aunts jewlery, when he dreams the portrat is cursing at him, and when his is being chased by a statue of a torso are all unexpectedly hilarious when you look at it with an unmiture view.
Waiting for a Quiz in Miami
Hey I'm going to take a quiz right now and waiting is getting intense. That's such an over used word. I could say he quiz was epic, but that is another over used word. Its so over used that Shane Dawson made a youtube video about it. You really need to watch it and also the one about Miley Cirrus and Twitter.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Is it Raining in Cuba
right now i should be in History, but since there's a code blue I'm still in religion. Why is there a code blue? Its not because of the drug dogs or anything, but because its raining. BTW I think that the drug dogs are a wast of money. I don't remember ever hearing about anyone ever getting caught with drugs at our school by the drug dogs and I know for a fact that half of the people in my grade do drugs. That's the truth and everyone knows it. I don't understand how people are punished for being a minute late for advisory three times, but the school does nothing about the people on drugs. This shows where the schools true intentions lie, making it look like they enforce rule, but leaving the people who do drugs at our school so they can keep the money. If I get in trouble for this I'm going to be really mad, but whatever. So since Cuba is so close I'm wondering if its raining. Remember how Cuba was hit by like five category 4-5 hurricanes last year. Well I do and i find it amazing that I don't remember hearing about anyone dying. I'm not saying I wanted anyone to die just i find it hard to believe that no one died. That's great if its true and its possible because of the forced evacuations of so many places, but I remember seeing videos of the waves hitting against the old buildings on the shore and i find it hard to believe that no one died. What if someone was trying to escape or they were hiding or something else? This has almost nothing to do with the book its more of just a thought.
Comment about anything..... anything all i want is a comment.
Comment about anything..... anything all i want is a comment.
Email to Yani Sanches
I think I spelled that name wrong, but I just closed the web page and this computers too slow to go back to it. This is my email/comment to her.
Hey I was wondering if you will ever try to leave Cuba. I would also like to know if you believe that communism will end in Cuba soon or if it will take a long time to end, if ever. If you would like to write me back please visit my blogs. I would also like to know if you have read Waiting for Snow in Havana. I’m guessing you haven’t because its against Cuban law,but I’m not sure since there is an ebook. Please write back and you blog is very inspirational. http://moth2aflamemiami.blogspot.com/http://ostinb.wordpress.com/
Hey I was wondering if you will ever try to leave Cuba. I would also like to know if you believe that communism will end in Cuba soon or if it will take a long time to end, if ever. If you would like to write me back please visit my blogs. I would also like to know if you have read Waiting for Snow in Havana. I’m guessing you haven’t because its against Cuban law,but I’m not sure since there is an ebook. Please write back and you blog is very inspirational. http://moth2aflamemiami.blogspot.com/http://ostinb.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Reflexion
Este es..... no I'll talk in english because I will never pass as hispanic. This entire chapter is really just background about the character and his family. I think the most interesting and a little boring at the same time, if thats even possible is when he talks about the lizards. Ok so you don't like lizards I don't care. However, for some reason I liked how this was written. I don't really know why. Mabey I just like boring books. Like in 9th grade Ms. Lewis' class read The Good Earth, one of my favorite books, but everyone else found it boring. I thought it was interesting because their life-style was just so different from mine, the characters in The Good Earth's life style. Maybe that's why I like this book, I like it because their life style is completely different from mine and because I know basically nothing about Cuba, which is a little strange because I know so many Cuban people. Well back to the lizards. Wow that was a stupid sentence. OK so I'm not sure if it was this chapter where they talk about how they torture the lizards........ Its not, but his hate f lizards is just so interesting. I think he hates them because they do nothing. Maybe this is a really really far out allusion to how he did, couldn't do anything to stop Cuba from being taken over by Fidel. I'm guessing that its not, but it would be cool if it was. I also really like how they believe in past lives. I don't think I believe in past lives, but I think that it would be really cool if I had absolute proof that that was true. Its interesting how they pretend to be European even though they live in Cuba. I guess that its true they're European, but personally speaking I'm British not Native American, but I call myself American. I guess things have changed, at least they seem to have changed to me.
I would like to talk about how they arn't aloud to listen to some types of music.. I don't agree with this at all. I think that it dosn't matter what music you listen to unless your going to take it to far. I'm going to say something just to make certent people mad. You shouldn't be aloud to listen to the Jonas Brothers. If your listening to a band that has a music video for falling in love with a pizza girl than your a little insane. You should be listening to Jack's Mannequin, Chester French, Calvin Harris, Tinchy Stryder, anything except for a band that has the offical worst song ever written.
Comment about your approval or disgust in my hate for the Jonas Brothers and what you think is the most interesting part of Ch 1.
I would like to talk about how they arn't aloud to listen to some types of music.. I don't agree with this at all. I think that it dosn't matter what music you listen to unless your going to take it to far. I'm going to say something just to make certent people mad. You shouldn't be aloud to listen to the Jonas Brothers. If your listening to a band that has a music video for falling in love with a pizza girl than your a little insane. You should be listening to Jack's Mannequin, Chester French, Calvin Harris, Tinchy Stryder, anything except for a band that has the offical worst song ever written.
Comment about your approval or disgust in my hate for the Jonas Brothers and what you think is the most interesting part of Ch 1.
Competition: Bring It
From now on I'm competing directly with everyone. I want the most comments, the most positive things said about my blog in class, the most of everything good. So basically comment on my blog because I told you to and because its not one of those blogs that I've wasted my entire past two weeks on. Also I'm posing everything from here onto my wordpress blog:http://ostinb.wordpress.com/wp-admin/edit.php ............ Now where's your excuse for not commenting.
Comment about how I'm telling you what to do.
Comment about how I'm telling you what to do.
Atlantis: 90 Miles from Key West
Isn't this such a great analogy..... and an allusion. So I was thinking that Cuba is Atlantis, in a metaphorical sense. If you don't know what Atlantis is then I guess you never saw that cartoon with Micheal J. Fox as the voice of the main character that came out in like 2000. Well... for those of you who don't know what Atlantis is its a lost city. It was some major Greek city that "sunk into the sea" although this is most likely untrue/ a myth. I don't believe that there is an Atlantis, but there is a real Greek that sunk into the sea, Helike. I have no idea how I found this out although I think it was because of wikipedia. Now you may be thinking that it isn't real that some person just made it up, but there is no person who would have the time to make up an entire Greek city and archaeological evidence. So there actually is a city that sunk into the sea. So back to my analogy/allusion. Cuba is Atlantis because it was a utopia, at least to the rich people. In the book it goes so far as to compare it to Eden. That is going a little to far to call Cuba Eden, but it defiantly is like Atlantis. Cuba is the once great country that has "sunk" from the rest of the world. Apparently there are three ways to erase a city from existence; call Zeus, get an earthquake, or make an embargo. If you wondering whether or not I support the embargo then here is your answer..... I am Republican. Somethings have to be solved with actions not words. I don't think peace talks between a Communist dictator and the president would have changed this. So Cuba, the once great country has sunk drowning its people with it. I feel bad for the Cubans who don't want this, but it was the only way to really stop communism in Cuba. Although clearly this isn't over it will end. Just look at whats left of communism. this proves that if you don't support something it will end. In conclusion Cuba is Atlantas without Micheal J. Fox.
Comment about whether you agree....... you do and about how origonal my analogy is. If anyone takes this analogy than there jerks:)JK. I don't know why I added a smily because I hate when people do that I just didn't want people to that i meant that I was mad.
Comment about whether you agree....... you do and about how origonal my analogy is. If anyone takes this analogy than there jerks:)JK. I don't know why I added a smily because I hate when people do that I just didn't want people to that i meant that I was mad.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Lighting the Darkness in Though
I want to start out by saying "deep"..... not so much. I have been struggling with what my driving question should be for days now. I have had no idea what it should be and I had little idea of what a driving question even was. Sad right? These are some of my past driving questions out of the ones I've even seriously considered. My thoughts are really simple in the way they're phrased. Like this one. "Maybe I could relate my life to the kid in the book's life". Or this one. "What if I write about what happens in the book and analyze that with an American perspective". Latter I though about comparing events in Cuba (World History) to events in the U.S. (U.S. History), but then I realized how much lamer could you possibly get than that. Whats really sad is that this was going to be my driving question until today I had some idea's that might actually not make me fall asleep while writing.
Today in class I had what seemed to be a breakthrough and by in class I mean in history, half-way through it, with no previous good ideas. What's sad is right now I'm having trouble even remembering what that idea is. Oh ok, some how I just remembered. I actually left this page open up on my computer, ate dinner, came back to my computer, and then suddenly remembered. I was going to separate the line between fiction and reality, but try to make it interesting to people other than just me. I actually like this idea because the line between reality and fiction can be debated so heavily. Goldfarb, Zack, Allan, or anyone else don't even think about writing a comment that like "the line between fiction and reality is easily distinguishable" because I know if anyone ever reads this they'll be thinking of writing something like that.
This was my idea, my "driving question" until about an hour ago when I was reading the book. I know it may be a shock to some people and others may not even believe this, but I do read every book were assigned. I actually re-read "The Old Man and The Sea", questionably the worst and most boring book ever written, when Mrs. Koch assigned it in 8th grade. For thoughs of you who liked that book I guess you really enjoy reading about old people fishing in a boat talking to themselves. If you enjoyed this book I guess you also enjoyed "Cast Away" because its entertaining to watch Tom Hanks go crazy on an un-inhabited island and talk to Wilson, the volleyball. Back to the point I've decided to put my critiquing skills to work. I am going to critique the book and relate it to other movies, books, songs, basically anything I can think of.
In conclusion my driving questions is "How do the people and events in Waiting for Snow in Havana relate to both the present and the past?" One Word, Beast.
Please comment on whether this is a good driving question and about whether you found my writing boring at times or something like that. I mean you people have to comment about something. I'm just making it easier by telling you what to comment about.
Today in class I had what seemed to be a breakthrough and by in class I mean in history, half-way through it, with no previous good ideas. What's sad is right now I'm having trouble even remembering what that idea is. Oh ok, some how I just remembered. I actually left this page open up on my computer, ate dinner, came back to my computer, and then suddenly remembered. I was going to separate the line between fiction and reality, but try to make it interesting to people other than just me. I actually like this idea because the line between reality and fiction can be debated so heavily. Goldfarb, Zack, Allan, or anyone else don't even think about writing a comment that like "the line between fiction and reality is easily distinguishable" because I know if anyone ever reads this they'll be thinking of writing something like that.
This was my idea, my "driving question" until about an hour ago when I was reading the book. I know it may be a shock to some people and others may not even believe this, but I do read every book were assigned. I actually re-read "The Old Man and The Sea", questionably the worst and most boring book ever written, when Mrs. Koch assigned it in 8th grade. For thoughs of you who liked that book I guess you really enjoy reading about old people fishing in a boat talking to themselves. If you enjoyed this book I guess you also enjoyed "Cast Away" because its entertaining to watch Tom Hanks go crazy on an un-inhabited island and talk to Wilson, the volleyball. Back to the point I've decided to put my critiquing skills to work. I am going to critique the book and relate it to other movies, books, songs, basically anything I can think of.
In conclusion my driving questions is "How do the people and events in Waiting for Snow in Havana relate to both the present and the past?" One Word, Beast.
Please comment on whether this is a good driving question and about whether you found my writing boring at times or something like that. I mean you people have to comment about something. I'm just making it easier by telling you what to comment about.
What is twitter? I have almost no idea, but i made one. My twitter is WasteTimeInPV. So i made this twitter before class on Thursday and I have no idea how to use it so i'm going to have to figure that out. So whatever, just follow my blog and my twitter.........WastTimeInPV. BTW the PV stands for pleasantville. This wasn't meant to be an allusion to the movie Pleasantville, but now that i realize it is I knind of like it. BTW WU? Comment.
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