Where I'm From

By Raymond Kim

I am from a flat land,

from plains to deserts

I am from the plains

(green, flowing

it looked peaceful)

where you can feel

wind and breeze

I am from the desert

from cactus to the Gulf of Mexico

I'm from the cowboys

whose longhorns and cows I remember

I'm from a summer

with a swimming pool

and a swim suit

I am from a swimming class

I'm from a winter

with no snow

to a desire

for a snow-fight

and a snowman

I am from a room

with full of toys

from dolls to electronics

In my lost closet was a cabinet

spilling old toys

with smiley faces

to refresh my memory

of my childhood.

I am from those moments--

lost back in my dreams--

my missing root.

Warm-Up: One Stanza

http://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/images/broken_cup.jpg
Broken Mind

A mind full of thoughts is a cup
A cup that keeps hold of your thoughts
Make sure you steady your cup up
For you might lose all your oughts

News Article: Connection

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/archives/result_contents.asp

According to this article, what really happened was, a teenager in Korea had hired his friend to kill the teenager's mother and sister by putting up a fire on their house. The purpose of this was to gain money through insurance; the teenager had promised his friend to share him some 300 million won ($258,000). I can relate this artcile to, The Pearl by connecting with the theme I came up: greed of wealth canturn you into a destructive force. I personaly think that these two really connect and relate to each other because of the idea where both characters desired money, and they were willing to do something malevolent to gain.

Reflection: The Pearl

Reflection

The Pearl is a book that is amazingly short; however, this 90 pages book gives an important moral and meaning for us to keep in mind. As John Steinbeck has mentioned to us that this story, The Pearl was a story that was a parable. First, a parable is a story that basically gives us a clear, definite meaning. For The Pearl, I personally think that the meaning is that you should never be overwhelmed by the idea of greed, because if greed takes over you, you will become a destructive force to the near matter.

First of all, we can see the idea of this meaning through many parts in the story. In the beginning, we could see Kino as a person who is very paternal, caring, and a peaceful guy.

“Kino’s eye opened, and he looked first at the lightening square which was the door and then he looked at the hanging box where Coyotito slept. And last he turned his head to Juana, his wife, who lay beside him on the mat, her blue head shawl over her nose and over her breasts and around the small of her back.” (pg. 1)

This part of the story gives big information of how Kino was, the way he acts towards his family. Even during the night, he checks over his family to find out whether they are safe. However, as we keep on going to the end of the book, he becomes a totally different person.

““They have taken the pearl. I have lost it. Now it is over,” he said. “The pearl is gone.” Juana quieted him as she would quiet a sick child. “Hush,” she said. “Here is your pearl. I found it in the path. Can you hear me now? Here is your pearl. Can you understand? You have killed a man. We must go away. They will come for us, can you understand? We must be gone before the daylight comes.”” (pg. 61)

Already, it is shown that Kino has killed a man because he thought that the pearl was stolen by this person. The only reason that Kino might have killed this man other than self-protection is because of his greed and his want of wielding the pearl. This is a clear example of how the meaning of this book can be described as never become overwhelmed by greed, for greed will always make you into a destructive force.

Other evidences that might bring up the idea of this meaning of greed is when Kino can’t give up on his pearl.

““No one shall take our good fortune from us,” he said.” (pg. 57)

This text emphasizes the idea, not that greed is addicting, but how overwhelming the idea of greed is. If the idea of greed was just an idea that was a desire, Kino would have probably went with Juana to give up on the pearl or could have sold it to the pearl buyers. However, through this passage, we can come up with the idea that Kino won’t give up the pearl because of some thoughtless desire of his. This one irresponsible thought by Kino brings a disaster to his family.

Lastly, greed is not only shown in Kino’s perspective, but also in the people around him.

“Blood oozed down from his scalp and there was a long deep cut in his cheek from ear to chin, a deep, bleeding slash. And Kino was only half conscious. He shook his head from side to side. His shirt was torn open and his clothes half pulled off.” (pg. 56)

This passage basically tells you that Kino was attacked during the night by a man or a woman because of the overwhelmed desire of the pearl. Either the man or the woman couldn’t control his/her desires and greed that they eventually came to try and steal the pearl. However, they couldn’t. That was when they attacked Kino. Otherwise, it was because they didn’t want to be caught stealing. This clearly backs up the meaning that greed can turn you into a destructive force.

In conclusion, this book clearly shows the change of Kino from a paternal person to an evil murderer because of overwhelming greed. Next, Kino’s thoughts show how greed’s overwhelming power can lead to a disastrous ending. Thus, the fact that Kino’s neighbors tried putting hands on the pearl and attacking Kino showed greed with destructive force. Therefore, this book was a parable with a meaning: never be overwhelmed by the idea of greed, because if greed takes over you, you will become a destructive force to the near matter.

This meaning, that you should never be overwhelmed by greed, can always reflect to me. It is because I had many moments where I had become selfish because of greed. For instance, I had received a reward from my parents for doing something really good. However, when I had received it, this feeling of desire of more and this urge came to me. I wanted more. That was when I had done evil and not-right things. I tried to trick my parents to get other additional rewards like games, toys, and electronics. However instead, I got punished for asking for more. This desire of something and greed can surely turn you into someone totally different and get you into real mess just like Kino in The Pearl.

Guess the Tone

1ST Person Perspective

I'm not sure if I should ask Eric out...He is so handsome. Should I ask him out? Arg!!! I don't know... He has a girlfriend that is away, but will it be a good idea to ask him out? Oh my goodness... His girlfriend is my best friend...I really don't know what to do! He is such a good looking guy though... HE IS SO HOT! I don't want to lose him... What if he rejects me! Ah!!! I'm so confused!!! Will his girlfriend be mad at me if I ask him out? What if she says, "your not my friend anymore loser", what should I do?!?!? Maybe what if I ask him out secretly, will she not notice it?


3RD Person Perspective

He wants to ask him out...Should he ask him out? OR should he not ask him out? Eric already has a girlfriend... Though the other guy thinks that Eric is so hot... What should the other guy do? Ah...It is SO CONFUSING...

Guess the Mood

Today was a beautiful day for me. It was my birthday. The weather was pleasant, with a sunny warm beam shining down, the kind of temperature where you feel free and joy able, and the wind breeze was so calm and cool that it felt as if you were flying. My friend's attitudes were also amazing. As they saw me, they greeted me by saying "HELLO DUDE". I thought they would forget about my birthday, but they didn't. They congratulated me by giving me presents. It was so AWESOME. One of my best days ever!!! I had the opportunity to smile a lot today.

Warm-Up: Song: If I Ain't Got You By Alicia Keys

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
And I've been there before
But that life's a boreSo full of the superficial
[Chorus:]Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, Yeah
Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
No one to share
With no one who truly cares for me
[Chorus:]Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
[Outro:]If I ain't got you with me baby, ooo whoaa
So nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby

The composer is basically talking about wealth; that money, diamonds, and rings aren't everything. That person is basically saying that a person is worth more than wealth, and the most important thing is love.

259,000,000,000

What would you do if you win 259 million dollars in a lottery?
- If I am a good, generous person, I would save the money on my account. Another option is that I could donate most of the money to the people who needs in other countries or people in our country. However, if I really win this humongous amount of money, I would probably think of all the things I want. First of all, I would probably quit school because there is no need to go to this school. I would work my best on my interests because those are the most things that I enjoy most. Also, I would buy a good, big house. Basically, I would be doing a lot of things that I want to do.

Warm-Up

There was a person I met named Mrs. Mcdonald. She was a teacher who left me a great impression in my 1st grade year in America. She was a person who was very harsh even though I didn't even know how to speak English. This however, gave a great impact in my life. She made me do lots of work, which included doing writing and reading. She was very kind in a way as well, even though she was very harsh. The thing that made me remember her was her name. Her last name Mcdonald, was slightly different as the company, Mcdonalds. Also, one thing I could remember about her, is her scary, mad, and insane-looking mad expression!!! She was a scary teacher. Wow!!!

Clue #5

1. What is the theme of "About Effie"?

- The theme for this story "About Effie", is quite complex, however simple. I at first thought about the consistency you need towards many things. I thought this because Effie had consistency in waiting for "him". It is very hard for people to stay focused on one thing and not give up on it. When I see people stay consistent, I sometimes think that they are very responsible. I also thought about the connection to the Bible. We Christians wait patiently for the Messiah, Jesus, or God to come to save us and forgive our sins. For this part, I thought it was very interesting.

2. Find a verse from the Bible that relates to the theme of "About Effie" and include it in your written responses.
- Psalm 27 (New International Version)

14 Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.
I chose this verse because I really thought that it related to the idea of what Effie had done waiting for "him". The verse says to wait for the One, or God, and to be firm in your heart in waiting for the Messiah. It also means that we have to be patient. Effie, in the story apparently waited for a very long period of time. This was why I thought that these two parts were very similar.



********************



1. Who is Effie waiting for?
- Effie is waiting for "him", the one she has thought of for a very long time. Through the observations of Neil, he found out that Effie was waiting for someone. The way she was waiting for him was not in a way most women did. Also, Neil had found out that the man Effie had been looking for didn't sound like any man he had heard of. This guy, or "him" was very different from the other people because Effie described this person as a guy who only comes when there is a thunder, lightning, and music all together. This guy, through my observations; I found out that he is a character with a very msyterious character trait.

2. This story contains a lot of Christ imagery. Write down three separate sentences from the story that might symbolize Jesus and explain why Timothy Findley might have written these into his story.
- Since I am a Christian, I figured that there were lots of connections that I could make or predict about the Christianity. I personally thought that "him" was Jesus Christ or the Messiah. It was because the way Neil described was very similar to what I thought of Jesus. In my perspective, Jesus or the Messiah is a very strong, firm, powerful being. In the story, "There has to be thunder, or he won't come." This sentence made me think of Jesus of being strong because the word thunder kind of makes you think of power. Also, "Whoever he was, he surely was coming." this sentence also made me think of Jesus because in the Bible, people believe that Jesus will surely come to save the people. Lastly, "...didn't sound like any man I'd heard of." this part also mad eme think of Jesus, not in a literal way, but more of expanded meaning. The sentence says that the guy didn't sound like any man Neil had heard of. I personally thought that he meant that the guy was uniquely different. Through this, I connected that Jesus was also uniquely different from many people.

3. Can non-Christian authors reveal truth about God's world?
- Yes; the non-Christian authors reveal truth about God's world. They can reveal the truth without noticing themselves doing it. They add morals about life, love, responsibility, and many more. These things are also the ideas that were in the Bible, in other words topics from God. Many stories talk about these things because these are the basic things that we have troubles and conflicts about.

Clue #4

1. Who is a "character" in your life (a real-life person) you admire? Why do you admire this person? (Be specific and name the traits you admire).
- Everyone should probably have at least one person that they admire that they have met in their life. I too, have someone that I admire. This person, I think is a person that I admire most because he taught me many things, such as about life, what we need to do to other people, how we should act towards others, and about love. This person is Jesus. I didn't literally meet this person, but I found out about him as soon as I became a Christian. Even though our family was mainly Christian, I didn't know much about Christianity, even what religion was. As I grow up older, I got into praying, which sort of lead me close to God and Jesus. I relied on them. And when I came to TCIS, I found out more about Jesus, what he has mainly done for us in person. He came to Earth in the characteristics of a human to sacrifice himself for our sins. I especially admired his act of sacrifice, caring, love, and passion. These 4 things are also the traits that I admire.

********************

1. What specific clues can setting reveal about the theme of a short story?
- There are always clues in a short story that reveal a theme for a short story. And in that story, the setting can reveal to us many clues about the theme. First of all, we already know that a theme is the kind of idea that the author wants to communicate and tell us. The setting reveals the clue for themes by telling us what the character is like (characteristics of the character, where he/she is, who they are, the conflict, etc.), the place of the story, and how the story is progressed. First of all, the character and the background information of the setting will give you the idea of what the conflict of the character is. As you know the conflict, you will be able to connect an idea or a thought to humanity. After this, you will be able to identify the bits of the theme of the story.

2. How does an author drop clues about characters and how their actions lead you to the theme of the story?
- Almost every literature elements leave clues about the theme. Especially the characters affect how the story goes and the theme. Basically, without characters, the story will not be able to progress properly. If the character is missing, the story wouldn't be a story. In other words, the story would be dull, boring, and not interesting. Also, there would be no conflict. Without conflict, the story wouldn't have a moral and a theme. It wouldn't have the idea that the author wants to communicate. The author uses the characters very wisely. The character traits, like caring, curious, thoughtful, etc., these give enormous clues for the theme of the story. Additionally, the conflict the character has and how the character gets over the conflict identifies some clue about the theme.

3. What is the strongest setting you have ever encountered in your own life (the place that has impacted you the most). Describe this place and ponder if God revealed anything about Himself or His truth in this place.
- TCIS, was one of the strongest setting where I have felt something special. Before I came to TCIS, I was more like a bird without a place or destination to reach. After I came to TCIS, I was able to learn more about God and Jesus. I found out more about the stories in the Bible, or the words of God. This place of school I came was a Christian school, where I was able to praise God and Jesus and learn more about them.

"Two Kinds" - Personal Readers Response

Connections between the main character Jing Mei...

※ Jing Mei's mom personally wanted her daughter Jing Mei to be a prodigy, in playing piano. My mom, didn't exactly wanted me to be a prodigy in playing piano, but she did want me to become a prodigy in many things, such as studying. I especially didn't enjoy this part, it was a very hard thing for me to accomplish. It takes real responsibility to accomplish such thing.


※ Jing Mei became lazy as when he kept on playing the piano. I too, eventually became lazy in playing the piano, when I was taught by the teacher in a musical hagwon, I became too lazy in practicing the piano, since the piano was kind of difficult for me. Eventually, I turned to a different instrument, a guitar. I liked this instrument better.



※ When Jing Mei had a really good playing music teacher, I too had a very great music teacher, he was able to play many instruments, not including guitar, which my teacher taught me how to play. I was very amazed at how he could play so many instruments. It seemed as if he and his guitar were one united body.



※ My next connection is when Jing Mei once too went to America during her life time and lived there. I too, went to America, but in to a different state, Texas. I had faced a different life there than I had in Korea. First of all, the language I used was way different, Korean to English. Also, the people I would hang out changed. There were some Koreans, but many parents wanted the Korean kids to hang out more with the Americans so that we could learn our English more.



※ Jing Mei in this story fights with her mother about the success she needs to accomplish and the idea that she needs to obey what her mother tells her. I too, had a fight with my mother, but it wasn't really about obeying, but rather about the success. I couldn't get good grades all the time, and we did have moments where our thoughts clashed.


※ Jing Mei and her mother did fight, but eventually got over the problem and they forgave each other. This moment, I had as well. As I said earlier, I did make fights with my mother, and eventually we both were up to saying sorry to each other.



Personal Perspective About The Story: A Paragraph

- I think this story is basically a very interesting story for me. Honestly, I couldn't get the exposition of the story because of the vocabulary and other stuffs going on during the reading. But eventually, at the end, I was able to get the main idea and the detail of the story and found out that the story was an happy ending. I really enjoyed how this story went on, Jing Mei trying to become better in piano as her mother told her to be a prodigy, Jing Mei eventually giving up, the daughter and the mother ending up in a big major fight, eventually forgiving each other. Again, I really liked the story because it described the ideas and the events very clearly with many details. The theme my group thought of also gave a good realization for me as well.

Clue #3

***This is a Biggie!! THEME***

1. What is a literary theme? Provide an explanation and then 3 one-statement examples of a literary theme that reveals truth about the universal human experience.
- A literary theme is a kind of idea that the author wants to tell or communicate to the reader. In other words, it is an idea or a message the author. This is the perception about life and human nature. For example, the theme for any kind of literary writing, can either tell us about love, life, beauty, friendship, conflicts, and many other things that consider thinking. The theme can also be described as an author's purpose for writing. The theme can be used to entertain people. This means, a story the author tells can communicate an exciting or an entertaining tale. The theme can also be used for humor. If the theme is used for humor, the theme isn't actually the humor itself, but the theme will be something beneath the humor ideas. Other examples that the theme can be used for are fantasy, life, and for exploration. All of these examples similarly gives us a simple idea about ourselves. I personally think that the literary theme reveals the truth that God made us and the literary theme for a purpose. Since we were created with free will, in other words the ability to analyze and think, God created the literary theme for this reason as well. God would have probably gave us the idea to the literary theme so that we could analyze it, and so that we could learn more about our universal life.

2. What is the theme of your life, as you see it right now?
- Everyone has a theme in their life. If a person doesn't have a theme in their life, they would be living with no purpose. This will be very sad; life will be difficult, boring, and irritating. As any other people have themes in their life, I too have a theme. Honestly, I don't know the main theme for my life, but one thing I found out as I came to this TCIS school, I found out that as harder you work, put more effort into many things not only studying, and praying hard helps your life develop better to a goal of success. When I was in Korean school, before I came to TCIS, I was really bad at studying and the major works that occurred in the school. After I came to TCIS, it felt like God was helping my life to be better. I was able to work harder, study better, and get a better social life in this school. I also had more opportunity to get to know about God and Jesus since I was a Christian. This eventually led me to pray more. As I kept on doing the things I have said, I was getting a better life; I enjoyed my life more. I figured living my life with a purpose was very important.

3. In your opinion, what is the theme of God's plan for this world?
- I personally have a whole bunch of opinions about the plan of God for this world, but one main thing that everyone else would be thinking is love. God would have probably sent us down to Earth for a purpose as I have said earlier. I think that purpose is to communicate and show his love to us. Just as we express our love to one another, God would have purposely sent us down here so that we could figure out how much God loves us. In the Bible, the major percentage of the Bible talks about love and how we should love everybody, the nature itself, and everything around us. Through my experience, it is way better to be loved, loving others, and to live with love than to live with hatred. I found out that living with hatred brings loneliness, violence, and depression. If everyone in the world would live with hatred, the world would probably end because of so much depression and violence. Since God gave us the idea of theme, he is using the idea of theme so that we could figure out his purpose of sending us down to Earth. He even proves His love by sacrificing His own son, Jesus. This is why I think that we should show Him respect for what He has done for us.

***This will give you the biggest clue in your quest to solve the short story mystery!!!***

1. How can you figure out a theme in a short story? Describe the process.
- In a short story, there is always a theme. The story must have a purpose it is being written, or else it would be terribly boring. We can always find out the theme for every short story, if we put enough effort in it. First of all, we should always consider the title. Many short stories gives us the basic idea about the story, what the story will be about. "The Utterly Perfect Murder", this title gives a lot of information of what the story will be. You might be able to think of at least 2 things from this title. Next, after you finished reading the story, you should think about the main character of the story. Then you should consider about the conflict the main character faces or the moral they face. Most of the themes should come from the conflict the main character faces. To do this, you should take a closer look at the background information about the main character. 3rd, you should locate the climax and figure out how what happened to the conflict. Also, you should be beginning to think what the author is trying to tell you. For more broadness, you should try to connect how the main idea relates to the humanity in general. Also try to connect with your own experience, just like the reader's response. Lastly, taking a look into the resolution gives you a more clearer idea of what the purpose of the story would be. After you finished all these stuff, you should now relate all of these ideas together to come up with one simple statement. Then you have the theme!

2. What is the theme of "The Utterly Perfect Murder", and how does this theme relate to your own life?
- The theme of "The Utterly Perfect Murder", is quite interesting. From the title, I found out that the story had to be related to some kind of revenge or murder crime. And as I went through the main character, Doug Spaulding, I found out that he wanted revenge on his best friend Ralph Underhill for doing minor problems. These include the bullying Ralph had done when they were young, the unfair trading with a statue and a baseball mitt, and Ralph not visiting Doug's house. I found out that the conflict of Doug was that Doug wanted to revenge on Ralph for what he had done, but he is afraid that Ralph might not remember him. In the climax, they finally meet, Doug wielding his gun. However, they realize who they were, and Doug can't shoot. Then the resolution, the two guys become friends again. Through all of this analyzing, I figured that the theme the author tried to tell us was that 'once a friend, friends forever'. I also had a similar situation a lot of times. One of my best friend, ***, he had done something bad to me, which was making a unfair deal just like Doug and Ralph, I was planning to do a revenge on him, but then my friend confessed to me and said sorry. This was when I also found out that we became better friends.

3. How is a moral of a story different from a theme?
- A theme and a moral seems very similar, but somehow very different. Many people would think that the both are same, because I once thought that too. The two literary elements are very different. A theme is built up along the story just as the title, character, conflict, climax, and resolution is built. However, you could consider the moral as like a goal for the story to tell and teach the readers. A theme makes you realize things about life, while the moral teachs us a lesson about life. There is a big difference between realizing and being taught. Theme is usually something more vague, which means that the idea of the theme will be probably something you can't see clearly, like friendship and love. However, the moral is more broad and clear. It is because you have to teach, you have to be very specific to teach someone about something. These are the big differences between a theme and a moral.

4. Read John 3:16. Is this a theme statement for God's story? How does this relate to the truth you might find in literature?
- In John 3:16, the verse talks about God's love towards US. It also mentions that He loved us so much that He gave up His one and only son, Jesus. As I had said earlier, this could be a part of the theme of God's plan. The theme I think that is mentioned from this verse is that You should believe the love of God for He has sacrificed His one and only son for us.
- As I read this verse, the verse awkwardly amplifies the idea of love and sacrifice. These are one of the main things that you can find in a literature. In many literatures, the main character, or the protagonist usually makes a sacrifice for the ones they love. Not all stories does that, but lot of stories do. This is why I believe that this verse and many story themes are related commonly.

Clue #6

1. Define a metaphor and a simile.

- A Metaphor is a comparison of two things, without using the word like or as. A Simile, is a comparison as well but then it uses like or as.

- Robert Burns

*What is beautiful about figurative language?

Q#1) Why do authors use figurative language?
- The authors use figurative language to describe the situation in a figurative way. Also, make the literature sound more beautiful. Additionally, it makes the reader imagine clearly, think more, and enjoy better, if the figurative language is used in the text. The figurative language basically makes the reader get a clear idea of what the story is like. For example, describing a specific thing by simile and metaphors, you can figure out what the specific thing is more clearly, because the author describes the thing using a comparison. I could also say that authors and writers use figurative language because it helps you to draw into the story. The best way for people to be listening and reading to a interesting story is by exaggerating or describing with full detail. This is one of the best ways to draw the reader or the listener's attention. The exaggeration would be a part of hyperbole. Exaggeration might confuse the reader if the exaggeration is miss used, but in other parts it is good way to draw the audience's attention.

Q#2) List 3 metaphors that you think are really beautiful or interesting.
- The 3 metaphors that I think are really beautiful and interesting are metaphor, idioms, hyperbole.

Metaphor:
What I like to use are similes since they are more easier to use, but I personally think that metaphors have more attractiveness to the audience than simile, because of the way the writer compares one thing to the other. Also, for me it sounds more cool because it doesn't use like or as.
Ex) I am lightning quick.

Idioms:
I also like idioms a lot, which I found out what it was few days ago. I like it because this is how you make interesting phrases or sentences that describe the situation, idea, thought, etc. More than how it uses things, I just like this figurative language because of the style language.
Ex) Caught him red-handed.

Hyperbole:
I additionally like the hyperbole figurative language because it uses exaggeration. Any type of exaggeration at least expresses the idea by adding bigger and larger details and images. And through this, you can look at the idea in a more bigger picture. Also, hyperbole allows you to find out how big the situation is.
Ex) He was a million years old.

Q#3) Find a metaphor for Jesus in the Bible and list the Bible verse (hint: look in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).

- John 8:12 (New International Version) 12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
- John 15:1 (New International Version) 1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
- John 14:6 (New International Version) 6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
- John 6:51 (New International Version) 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
- Luke 21:8 (New International Version) 8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.

Q#4) What does this metaphor reveal about God's world and your understanding of it??
- Through these verses that I found reveal many things about the God's world. First of all, mostly it describes Jesus to teach us many things. Most of the sayings of metaphors about Jesus brings hope to His disciples. For instance, "I am the light of the world", this part of the verse brings hope to His disciples. "I am the way and the truth and the life" this part of the verse tells us that we should follow the teachings of Jesus. When Jesus says that He is the vine, and God is the gardener, he is telling us that God is our God, King, Leader, etc. And if you continue looking through the verses that uses metaphor about Jesus, you will find many different ideas. One of the ideas that I found was that in these verses, God and Jesus were always considered the highest. Also, the verses tell us that we should follow them as their guider. The metaphors reveal that God is the creator of the universe.

Bad Experience With a Sibling!!!

Once upon a time, there lived a guy named Raymond. He had a brother. Raymond was a guy, small as a mouse, but big as an elephant. My brother, was a guy who could change anytime. When he was nice, he was nice as a chipmunk, and when he was angry, he became a T-Rex. Raymond and his brother always loved to play around together doing many stuff. But, they had one problem. They both loved to eat, but the food was always limited. Though Raymond only loved to eat when he was hungry, there were always problems. When the two were given food, they would fight over the food. It was as if lions were fight over their prey. As there is a saying, two tigers can't live on the same mountain, we couldn't eat together well. One day, the time when Raymond's brother had to stay in America to get educated. This became the main key to the answer of making the two eat better together. Through this key, they were close siblings and the food was always plenty for the both. For now....

Make A Personal Ad!!!

Olleh!!! I can think like the computer, solve a problem like Einstein, and think up a theory like Newton.
When I swim, I swim fast as a dolphin, faster than Michael Phelps and I can bounce on top of the water like a flying fish. I can split the water like Moses!!!
I can become a zombie whenever I want and eat up everything I see.
I can be loud as a siren and become quiet and still as a rock.
I can make the guitar obey my command.
I am as good as Jimi Hendrix in guitar!!!

Clue #1

*WHAT IS A BEAUTY?

- Beauty could be defined as some thing's attractive quality or features. I define beauty as the feeling, emotion, or expression that we feel when we see something. It is like a response; personal thought of a object, thing, or someone. It is only accountable with your senses, mind, and your soul. There is no standardized beauty; every body's point of view is different. Beauty is basically something that brings enjoyment to the person who contemplates.

*2 Bible Verses about God's view of beauty:

1 Peter 3:3-6 (New International Version)
- 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

1 Samuel 16:7 (New International Version)
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Q#1) In your own words, please summarize what Reader Response analysis is, and what steps are involved.
- Reader Response analysis is a way of acknowledging your personal perspective or connection between the text. Readers Response doesn't really have a exact objective meaning, or a true answer for what the text for the literature means. The Reader Response makes up a meaning for the certain text in the literacy. The author of course would have put morals and themes already to communicate what he was going to say, but then the reader might be able to find other meanings the author wouldn't have purposely put in. The Readers Response comes from the reader's experience, mood, thought, mind, soul, heart, etc. This means that the Readers Response will be based on their own ideas and experience.
- The Readers Response always needs a text of literature with a reader. These two make up a meaning which is basically a personal response towards the literature. It is a connection of the reader with the text. The Response also requires a reader who thinks, concentrates, understands with broad mind of thinking, pays attention beneath the text of the literacy.

Q#2) How can Reader Response open our eyes to more truth as we read?
- The Reader Response open our eyes to more truth as we read. It does make us realize more truth and facts because as we connect with our experiences and personal thoughts. We begin to realize what events occurred. We also find out how we are suppose to resolve in those situations. The story will mostly tell how the character will resolve a problem. Also, since lot of stories and texts of literacy relate to conflicts and hardship, they give us morals and themes that we can apply to our life. After we apply those morals and themes, we will have more knowledge about the kind of conflict. Additionally, we will be able to understand the story; how the story flows. I had time when reading "The Marigolds", I didn't get what the story was. But as I used the reader response skill, looking over back and taking a closer look in every part, I was able to understand the story.

Q#3) Why is it important for you to interact/connect with literature?
- It is very important for you to interact or connect with the literature. It is very important because through these connections, you will be able to find out more other occurrences and life morals. In other words, you will learn new different knowledge that fits in different situations. Additionally, you will be able to find out what other people had experienced. In other words, you can communicate with the author. It is also important because you practice thinking, concentrating, understanding literature, etc. This also includes practicing reading. As you do more reader response, it means that you are reading more and more books. You also acknowledge the reading skills and the skills of literature. Imagery, tone, dialogue, type of language, and many more are included on this section. Through connecting, you will be able to accomplish a lot.

Q#4) Reflect on a book or story you have read recently and what new truth about the world you learned from that narrative.
*Sherlock Holmes*
This story is a mystery and a detective novel, which discusses about crimes, murder, some of psychology, and many more. Most of the times it just is a story where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, his friend, goes around London, or outside of London solving mystery crimes. The main part that I found out was when Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson first met. Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes first met as a roomate when Dr. Watson came back after the Afghanistan war. They were just getting to know each other, when they got into discussing about reasoning. Sherlock Holmes said that you can find out the basic background of the person by the way the person acts, thinks, physical outlook, etc. This was quite when I was young when I read this, I felt kind of amazed because it was terribly difficult for me to find out the background of a person by just looking at a person.

Revenge

What will the story of "The Utterly Perfect Murder" about?
- I think the story of "The Utterly Perfect Murder" will be about a killing or a murder through revenge. Or, I think it might also be a story about the feeling about the revenge of the main character on the other character who had done something very deceiving. I also think that this could be a detective novel with a crime scene.
Describe a time that you wanted revenge on someone.
- I especially had a feeling of revenge when THE PERSON provoked me in front of many people. THE PERSON made me embarrassed in front of many people. This was occurred in TCIS. This KID did also snickered me all the time when I first came to this school during 7th grade. Lots of classes I had with this KID, he provoked me, almost making me to explode. Eventually I didn't explode though. Right now, we are quite close friends. So, when I look back to the things the PERSON has done, I feel like if I want to REVENGE!!! And I want to provoke him BACK!!!

Warm-Up Your Blog!!!

*Have you ever had a read a book and felt you connected with a character in it? Or found a book where a character is a lot like you? Describe whether it is important to make personal connection.
- My personal connection to a character would be to Victor Frankenstein where I was very, very curious in science; interested in many things, especially life. Victor Frankenstein was especially curious before he made the wrong experiment. Before he made Frankenstein, Victor was especially interested in life because of his home background.
- It is not necessary to make a personal connection in your life to a character of a literature, but it would be somewhat good if you do. It would be good if you make a connection because you will be able to reflect on yourself how you relate to the character in the story. Also, to connect with the character in the story, you will have to look back through your experience to find what things are similar or that are like to each other. So, mainly it is important because you are able to reflect back on what you did.

Clue 2

Q#1) Please draw a picture of a plot graph, using a mountain as your central image. Label all parts and get creative (add a mountain goat or two!).

- Exposition: In the exposition, usually the character and the setting is introduced in the exposition part of the plot. Also, the main conflict might be introduced here as well. It is mainly the beginning part of the story.


- Rising Action: In this section, or the part of the plot, the story begins to develop conflicts. The story also builds of suspense and interest.


- Climax: This is the part where the main character or characters come to face to face with the main conflict. In the climax, the character will also change in some way. This is the turning part of the story; or the main part.


- Falling Action: The conflicts are all taken care of; the situation and the story begins to settle down.


- Resolution: The story comes to an ending that is reasonable.


Q#2) Why do stories need to be structured? What does this reveal about our need, as humans, to construct understanding?
- The stories we write need to be structured and that is for sure. The stories are constructed by Exposition - Rising Action - Climax - Falling Action - Resolution. The story needs to be structured so that our writing will be heading a way to a one united resolution. If the story is not structured, the story's ideas and details will flow away in many and variety of directions. And eventually, the story won't make sense. It is basic stuff; if a group of people are constructing a building, they have to unite their thoughts into one idea; constructing a building. Also, the construction needs to be in a order and process or else, things will go bad. First of all, people need to unite their thoughts because if not, the building will have many missing fragments that needs to be filled in. If there are missing fragments, the building will eventually crash. Also, if the construction is not in a process, you won't be able to build a proper building. You can't build the 5th floor if there aren't 1,2,3,4 floors beneath. This is same for writing stories. If you don't unite thoughts and write in a structured process, the story will eventually be a mess. We always need process and united thoughts.

Q#3) After you looked at the plot graph and structure of "Marigolds", what new things did you see in the story that you didn't see before?
- I was basically able to see how the story flowed; how the story began by Lizabeth introducing that her memory was in fragments, and to the end where now she plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. It was very easier for me to understand the story after I wrote down the plot graph. I was also able to see why Lizabeth ran to ruin the marigolds and why she now plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. I also understood that Miss Lottie had her verve in the marigolds. One other thing I found out was that the story did come to an end with a reasonable solution; Lizabeth plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. Lastly, the story was easier to understand as I said earlier.

Q#4) What is the theme of Marigolds and how does the structure of the story make that theme evident?
- Just like other stories, this story too has a theme. A theme is pretty much how stories exist. The story is there to communicate the idea or the theme that the author is trying to say to the audience or the readers. In this story, Marigolds, the author is trying to say that as we live our lives, we will eventually face a moment where we will make terrible decisions because of our emotional movement. The story also talks about growing in poverty. In the story, Lizabeth comes to a age when her families' struggles become real to her. She realizes how poverty can drag down people. Through this, she also does a unforgivable thing to Miss Lottie. However, she later on realizes what she has done after the maturity.

Clue 2

Bible: John 1:1-18 (NIV)
Jesus Christ was sent from God to Earth.


1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
- He was with God in the beginning. Jesus was with God.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]
- The light is Jesus Christ. It was thought that John was the light, but actually Jesus was.

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
- The world wouldn't accept that Jesus was God, Messiah, and the light.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Jesus is our father.

15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,[e][f]who is at the Father's side, has made him known.



*Jesus is the light of our world

Personal Connections

My first personal connection would be found on the first paragraph, that I too can remember only quite a few chunks of memories even though I am still young. I can barely remember the things I used to do when I was in kindergarten. Just like me, Lizabeth can only remember chunks of memories, and find her memories somewhat missing.

The second paragraph shows that Lizabeth gets different kinds of emotions when looking at an object or a living creature; I do too. When I was younger and more childish, I used to be very emotional with all the things around me. In fact, too emotional that the things around me was very important. I could say I always needed something around me. The paragraph tells us that when Lizabeth sees a marigold, a strange nostalgia comes with it and remains long. For me, when I see for example, a fan, a piece of memory comes to my mind where I caught my finger in the fan. It is painful, but...It is just the way it was.

On the fourth paragraph as well, I could find myself somewhat similar to Lizabeth in a way because I too was very unaware of the poverty around myself. Korea was in a situation of the IMF, where quite a lot of poverty was occurring around Korea when I was in kindergarten to elementary. That time, I didn't even notice whether our country was poor.

Also, in the part where Lizabeth and Joey gets tired of the same formlessness of their summer days, I too usually get tired of my summer break, even though it is a break for me to rest. I usually don't rest, but get bored or either have to study. Also, just as Lizabeth was desperate to fill up the midday hours during summer, I too would usually wander trying to figure out a way to fill up my summer times.

Just like Lizabeth and the others chose to do something not right, disturbing, bothering, and hurting other, I too had some situations where I was too bored or got with the naughty kids and did something bad. When these kids chose to bother Miss Lottie, me and my friends done something bad in the basement parking lot. We used to shoot BB guns in their, which wasn't allowed.

Here, Lizabeth tells us that she had a moment where she lost her mind and became mad that she did something she didn't realize. I had this moment as well. Once, I was too tired, that I lost my mind a bit and said something quite wrong to others. I wasn't able to control myself in saying what I needed to say and what I needed to prevent from saying. I eventually hurt that person.

Additionally, Lizabeth says that she doesn't like to be ashamed after she insulted Miss Lottie. I too hate to be ashamed, especially in front of lots of people. Being ashamed makes you feel quite bad, frustrating, embarassing, and ashaming. I used get ashamed all the time after doing quite simple mistakes and bad things.

Later on, Lizabeth finds out that her dad could cry; her strong, firm dad could cry. I had a similar situation when I was young. I saw my dad cry as well when I was in elementary. However, it wasn't shocking as Lizabeth, because I was used to seeing people cry. After all, I used to cry a lot as well.

In the end, Lizabeth does something that she couldn't be forgiven to Miss Lottie, I too had done some things I can't really remember specifically, because I was so young, but then the unforgivable things were eventually dealt by older people and sooner or later, they just forget about it because, they realize you can't do anything about it. This was when I found out that I should never do anything stupid.

Lizabeth wakes her brother Joey, during the night because she was scared; I had the exact moment when I was in elementary, where I was scared at night after a nightmare, I made all of my family wake up. I got in a quite a big trouble after that occasion.

Short Story Assignment...!!!

Exposition:
I used to be a horrible swimmer; actually I don't think I was even able to swim when I was young. I used to be afraid of the water when I was in 2nd grade. Once, I even drowned in a stream when I was a kindergartener.--;;; It was very hard for me to get along in the water. I had spend my days being afraid of the water till I went into my first year of school. After my first year of school, I had to move to America, because of my father, who was a professor, he had to go to Texas to work and to meet his teacher.

Rising Action:

When I came to Texas in America when I was 1st grade, I somehow needed to learn to swim because in Texas, swimming was one of the main things in the state because the weather was always hot and dry. I could say that everyone in the states, even young kids, really young kids could swim in the water. To me, it was an amazing thing. Getting along with the kids wasn't a real problem with the kids after I learned how to speak in English, but as soon as the swimming part came I always had trouble.

Climax:

One day, before I learned to swim, I went to the pool to try, at least try something in the water.The result was, I drowned. On the 2nd year in America, my family finally decided to make me learn how to swim. Since I had tried a bit of drowning, I was quite used to the water. In fact, I was too used to drowning, I didn't care if I drowned or not. Anyway, I went to YMCA for my first learning of swimming. I began with how to get along in the water. It was public, so I couldn't exactly show that I was afraid of the water, so that wasn't really a problem. Now came the real problem. When I first learned to do freestyle stroke, I couldn't exactly float on the water to do my strokes. I had quite a few days struggling. One day, my brother and I were playing in the swimming pool, and of course I was practicing. Just for fun, I tried to act like a dead body, and I floated on the water. I floated. I floated and floated. Yes, I floated.

Falling Action:

My brother then told me to just do my strokes and my kicks on the water, and it worked perfectly. I was able to swim! And then for about 3 years I learned swimming.

Resolution:

Finally, before I went back to Korea, I was able to do many kinds of strokes except the butterfly. I was not afraid of the water now! I actually loved the water after I learned to swim. And I do still now.

The End =]

Conflict:

I was afraid of the water

Myself As A Reader

I personally think that reading is a very interesting thing to do...It is enjoyable most of the times... if you choose a good book.

Beowulf
Author: Unknown

Sherlock Holmes Series
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley

The Odyssey
Author: Homer


I personally like to read science- fiction books or suspense, mystery books. It is not that I have a specific reason to like these kinds of books, but it is just because these kinds of genre catches more of my attention. Authors could be Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and many more.

My Reading Habits:

I just need a book and a place quiet to read. I don't really need like a specific sofa, bed, or a chair to read. All I really need is a book. But sometimes, I move around to look for more comfortable place for my reading. And usually when I finish reading for the day, I find myself at the bed or the sofa.

Do you think that books should be made into movies? Why or why not?

-I think books could be made into movies, if the author allows it to happen. However, for the viewers or for the readers, I think it would be best to read the book first rather than just watching the movie, because usually the book is more entertaining with more detail than movies.

ESLRS Photo

Communicator
Risk- Taker

Inquirer

Caring

Balanced

Knowledgeable

First Stab at Essential Questions

QW#1:
1. What are my current reading skills?

- My current reading skills can be scanning the text, skimming through the text, and detailed reading. Scanning is a skill which I and many people use to find particular words or phrases that they need to find. Skimming however, is quite different. It is a kind of skill which people use to preview the text's detail or background. Detailed reading is to extract information accurately so that you can understand it. People often use this when reading texts.

2. How can I improve and grow as a reader?

- A good way I think to improve or grow as a reader is to keep reading continuely. Just as you need to keep working out in sports to get better, you need to keep reading so that your mind can get used to reading in many different skills. Also, reading harder levels might allow you to improve your reading skills because you will learn harder levels of words, grammar, structure, etc.

3. What purpose can literature serve in my life?

- Literature can help me communicate my thoughts in many different ways other than just using your mouth, face expression, body language, etc. For some people like me who really don't like to take a speech in front of lots of people would have an easier moment communicating. Also, literature may allow us to gain new knowledge that others didn't know.

4. What resources can I find in the library that will help me in this course and other courses?

- Online resources, books, librarians, internet, and many more things can help us in this course and other courses. Not only using on source, but using a variety of resources might help you gain more information and different kinds of perspectives.