Trevor- Hits and Misses
Kaya- 3,2
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Difficulties this Year
Honestly, one of the hardest things this year was attempting to please two teachers with the research paper. I was constantly torn between historical inclusiveness and grammatical devices and correctness. In the end, I decided to go with the area that was being graded, the English. I do feel as though I would have written it differently if I was going for absolute inclusiveness in the historical area.
One of the hits this year that I had was the personal narrative. When I'm telling stories the words flow and I know exactly how to convey the emotions I felt at the time. It was an experience that I enjoyed because it made me look at the event in a whole different way. This is the type of writing that I enjoy the most because it is most definitely the type of writing that I'm the best at.
One of the hits this year that I had was the personal narrative. When I'm telling stories the words flow and I know exactly how to convey the emotions I felt at the time. It was an experience that I enjoyed because it made me look at the event in a whole different way. This is the type of writing that I enjoy the most because it is most definitely the type of writing that I'm the best at.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Prompts 2 and 5
#2) In my opinion, power is a burden if used well. You can see this plainly in democracy. The president of our democracy takes into account our voice, and he tries his best to please everyone. This takes a toll on one's physical and mental well-being. However, in a communist country such as North Korea, the pleas of the people do not even reach the ears of the dictator. His people are suffering, and therefore he isn't using his power well.
#5) I do not personally feel that women are more compassionate than men. When it comes to violence, you cannot simply say that one gender is more or less violent than the other. You have to look at certain cases, such as violent crimes or domestic abuse. In violent crimes, women commit the vast minority, and this is widely accepted. However, in roughly 12.5% of relationships, there is reported violence that has been deemed nonreciprocal, and this violence has largely been committed by women. In nonreciprocally violent relationships women are the aggressor more than 70% of the time. Also, in relationships where violence was reciprocal, men were injured more often (25%) than women (20%).
#5) I do not personally feel that women are more compassionate than men. When it comes to violence, you cannot simply say that one gender is more or less violent than the other. You have to look at certain cases, such as violent crimes or domestic abuse. In violent crimes, women commit the vast minority, and this is widely accepted. However, in roughly 12.5% of relationships, there is reported violence that has been deemed nonreciprocal, and this violence has largely been committed by women. In nonreciprocally violent relationships women are the aggressor more than 70% of the time. Also, in relationships where violence was reciprocal, men were injured more often (25%) than women (20%).
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Reading Strategies
In my opinion, the language and word choice of this book aren't particularly challenging. The author has a good way of conveying what she means, and the character development is clear cut. One of the potentially more difficult things about this book is the subject matter. No matter how old you are, if you possess a sound mind it will not be easy to read about cruelty or abuse.
The strategy that I am using while reading this book is to remember that none of it is real. I remind myself that it is a story. However, I think we should realize that Adichie's story is modeled off of real life. If these exact events did not take place, then events similar to them did. We must realize also that this situation does not only occur in Nigeria, or in Africa. Domestic violence is an epidemic that needs to be dealt with, whether that solution is external or internal. But, we must not fight violence with violence. We must rise above.
The strategy that I am using while reading this book is to remember that none of it is real. I remind myself that it is a story. However, I think we should realize that Adichie's story is modeled off of real life. If these exact events did not take place, then events similar to them did. We must realize also that this situation does not only occur in Nigeria, or in Africa. Domestic violence is an epidemic that needs to be dealt with, whether that solution is external or internal. But, we must not fight violence with violence. We must rise above.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
New York Times
Prompt: What is the story behind your name?
My full given name is Wyatt Joseph Laiche. My first name, Wyatt, comes from the movie Tombstone, where an actor played a man whose lifestyle my father respected. This man's name was Wyatt Earp. He was a sheriff in Kansas, and a good man whose brothers were gunned down by cowboys from Mexico. My middle name, Joseph, is the first name of my dad's grandfather. He was a hardworking man who was dedicated to his family.
My last name, Laiche, is in fact very hard for most people to pronounce. Just for the record, it rhymes with fresh. It has its roots all over Europe, and it can be traced from France to Germany, and it can even be traced back to Scotland. My last name categorizes a group of great men, and it used to belong to a man who owned a large percentage of the land in Louisiana. I love my name, and it doesn't fit anyone else but me.
My full given name is Wyatt Joseph Laiche. My first name, Wyatt, comes from the movie Tombstone, where an actor played a man whose lifestyle my father respected. This man's name was Wyatt Earp. He was a sheriff in Kansas, and a good man whose brothers were gunned down by cowboys from Mexico. My middle name, Joseph, is the first name of my dad's grandfather. He was a hardworking man who was dedicated to his family.
My last name, Laiche, is in fact very hard for most people to pronounce. Just for the record, it rhymes with fresh. It has its roots all over Europe, and it can be traced from France to Germany, and it can even be traced back to Scotland. My last name categorizes a group of great men, and it used to belong to a man who owned a large percentage of the land in Louisiana. I love my name, and it doesn't fit anyone else but me.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Political Post
I'm responding to "The Real Lessons of Middlebury College," written by Thomas Sowell, an African American conservative columnist. In his article, he writes of the riots at Middlebury College, where the student body protested a speech that was to be given by Charles Murray, a libertarian conservative political scientist. These violent protests injured a woman that was a part of the faculty. One of Sowell's main points is that none of the slogans or signs that the students were carrying represented a single candid word out of any of Murray's books.
Honestly, this rioting and prevention of speeches by liberal students is out of hand. One can simply look on Youtube and find a video where a so-called "Social Justice Warrior" is repressing someone's freedom of speech by shouting over them, physically preventing them from speaking, or otherwise distracting the attention of the desired audience. This is similar to the protests at UC Berkeley when the student body forcefully protested and rioted against the speaking of Milo Yiannopoulos due to the fact that he supported Donald Trump in the recent election.
This source is from "Town Hall" I used this source because it is reliable, and it has many conservative columnists. I chose this article because it was on a particularly controversial article.
Honestly, this rioting and prevention of speeches by liberal students is out of hand. One can simply look on Youtube and find a video where a so-called "Social Justice Warrior" is repressing someone's freedom of speech by shouting over them, physically preventing them from speaking, or otherwise distracting the attention of the desired audience. This is similar to the protests at UC Berkeley when the student body forcefully protested and rioted against the speaking of Milo Yiannopoulos due to the fact that he supported Donald Trump in the recent election.
This source is from "Town Hall" I used this source because it is reliable, and it has many conservative columnists. I chose this article because it was on a particularly controversial article.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Monday, March 20, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Learning Strategies
I really can't believe that it's the fourth quarter of my freshman year at Episcopal. I never really saw myself anywhere other than False River Academy, and I'm constantly glad I made the switch. One of the things that I've discovered most about myself and about my studying patterns is that they need work. A lot of work. I honestly have improved, however, which can be seen in my afternoon habits. Rather than play video games, watch TV, or eat for however many hours, you can find me doing my homework as early as I can to avoid the later grief and guilt.
Another very useful aspect of my day is my study hall. It gives me time to dedicate my attention to schoolwork. I will admit, though, that I am not the best at using that time wisely. One thing that I need to work on the most is getting with adults and talking to them about what needs to be done. I think I will dedicate next week to that, and hopefully answer several of my questions.
Another very useful aspect of my day is my study hall. It gives me time to dedicate my attention to schoolwork. I will admit, though, that I am not the best at using that time wisely. One thing that I need to work on the most is getting with adults and talking to them about what needs to be done. I think I will dedicate next week to that, and hopefully answer several of my questions.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Free Post
Recently, I have been reading a book written by Neil Gaiman that highlights the main parts of Norse mythology. It features the creation story, various stories in between, and the inevitable apocalypse. The interesting thing about this apocalypse is that, rather than being vague, or in the case of Greek mythology, nonexistent, it is very detailed and laid out. This includes small battles, thought processes, and conversations.
One of the more interesting things about Norse mythology is it lists the gods as less than godly. The reason for the god's immortality are apples that can easily be stolen. It also talks about most of the events that shaped the world as accidental. This is very interesting because there is no sense of reverence, and unlike Greek mythology, it does not mention the worshippers of the gods. I think that this is important because it places the gods on a human level, and makes them more relatable.
One of the more interesting things about Norse mythology is it lists the gods as less than godly. The reason for the god's immortality are apples that can easily be stolen. It also talks about most of the events that shaped the world as accidental. This is very interesting because there is no sense of reverence, and unlike Greek mythology, it does not mention the worshippers of the gods. I think that this is important because it places the gods on a human level, and makes them more relatable.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Affirmative Action
I believe that affirmative action, defined as "an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education." is detrimental to those it is in place to help. By lowering the admission standards for minorities, it is potentially immersing a student in an environment they cannot handle, causing them to have higher levels of stress, or drop out altogether which, as we all know, leads to a higher poverty percentage. This is because without a high school degree it is much harder to find a job that will allow you to fully sustain yourself, let alone a family.
While I do understand the desire to level the playing field by educating minorities in the hope that they will pass along the standard of living that comes from being an educated member of society to their children, you also have to take into account the fact that if we continue to make it easier for minorities to enter better schools merely based on the color of their skin, they will have an increasingly harder time valuing their achievements, because if they're self-aware of their situation and the privilege being given, they will know that, at least in some cases, they did not go as far as some did to earn that same merit.
Think of this: I have been a Boy Scout since I was small, and ever since I have tried extremely hard to earn the highest achievement, Eagle Scout. As a fourteen-year-old, I am one rank away from achieving that goal. Now, if I sit here and think about how I would feel if someone gave me special privilege in the earning of Eagle due to my ethnicity, and I can tell you that it wouldn't be the same. If it was well known that administrations cater to persons of my own race, those who look at this achievement on my college applications, such as the one I intend to submit to West Point, will know that I did not work as hard to achieve it as others have, and that accomplishment begins to mean little to nothing.
While I do understand the desire to level the playing field by educating minorities in the hope that they will pass along the standard of living that comes from being an educated member of society to their children, you also have to take into account the fact that if we continue to make it easier for minorities to enter better schools merely based on the color of their skin, they will have an increasingly harder time valuing their achievements, because if they're self-aware of their situation and the privilege being given, they will know that, at least in some cases, they did not go as far as some did to earn that same merit.
Think of this: I have been a Boy Scout since I was small, and ever since I have tried extremely hard to earn the highest achievement, Eagle Scout. As a fourteen-year-old, I am one rank away from achieving that goal. Now, if I sit here and think about how I would feel if someone gave me special privilege in the earning of Eagle due to my ethnicity, and I can tell you that it wouldn't be the same. If it was well known that administrations cater to persons of my own race, those who look at this achievement on my college applications, such as the one I intend to submit to West Point, will know that I did not work as hard to achieve it as others have, and that accomplishment begins to mean little to nothing.
Song Analysis
The prompt for this blog was to analyze a song, so I'm going to dedicate this post to some of my favorite parts about one of my favorite songs. This song is "Flagpole Sitta" by Harvey Danger. One of my favorite things about this song is that it uses contradictions to further specify the mental state that he is singing about. This can be seen in the chorus where he sings "I'm not sick, but I'm not well" to say that he isn't conventionally sick, but his mind isn't well. This highlights the difference between being physically and mentally ill, and I believe that it's saying we shouldn't treat both the same way.
He also uses an over-arching contradiction. Throughout the song, he says things like "I had visions" and "I hear the voices in my head", but he also says things like "You told them all I was crazy" inferring that he believes that he's sane. He also references Hell several times, leading you to believe he sees his life as hell, and saying that he can physically feel it's heat.
He also uses an over-arching contradiction. Throughout the song, he says things like "I had visions" and "I hear the voices in my head", but he also says things like "You told them all I was crazy" inferring that he believes that he's sane. He also references Hell several times, leading you to believe he sees his life as hell, and saying that he can physically feel it's heat.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Vocabulary.com
I, personally, am not very skilled when it comes to preserving things of monetary value. Several examples; a playing card I found on the ground worth 450 dollars, my headphones, and my dirtbike. What do these things have in common? I've deemed them all to be in disrepair. They are torn, breaking, and broken, in that order. It is peculiar, one would think that I would better care for something so important to my daily life. But no, I decided to throw my headphones across the room, and implicate them in this process of decomposition. It is a funny life I live.
Poem
Every day it grows stronger.
This maliferous murky mass inside,
That many call Paranoia.
Yet could you not argue,
That it stands to one's benefit
To be suspicious where
Suspicion is merited?
The short response, the late nights out,
Many clues lead me to false trust.
Paranoia is nothing short of a monster,
A gargoyle gorging itself on lies.
I lie in bed and ponder several things.
The explanation is thus:
Jealousy and Paranoia are in cahoots,
In a successfully savage attempt,
At ruining my life.
Personification, Sibilance, Alliteration
This maliferous murky mass inside,
That many call Paranoia.
Yet could you not argue,
That it stands to one's benefit
To be suspicious where
Suspicion is merited?
The short response, the late nights out,
Many clues lead me to false trust.
Paranoia is nothing short of a monster,
A gargoyle gorging itself on lies.
I lie in bed and ponder several things.
The explanation is thus:
Jealousy and Paranoia are in cahoots,
In a successfully savage attempt,
At ruining my life.
Personification, Sibilance, Alliteration
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Research Paper Skills
Okay, honestly this research paper was something that had me extremely stressed out. Who knows if I would get the length requirement, or find the right sources, or even know what to write about? One of the things that helped out on this project was the notecard process. I've never thought of doing a paper this way, but it helped so much I can't tell you any other way I would've been able to do it.
Another thing that I knew but didn't appreciate nearly as much as I do know is the outline process. This part of the project was also super helpful and easy because of the amount of information that I put on my notecards. I just transferred the notecard's information onto a word document and it was one and done. I will definitely repeat these steps for any of my projects that come up in the future.
Another thing that I knew but didn't appreciate nearly as much as I do know is the outline process. This part of the project was also super helpful and easy because of the amount of information that I put on my notecards. I just transferred the notecard's information onto a word document and it was one and done. I will definitely repeat these steps for any of my projects that come up in the future.
ATDPTI Response #2
One of the best things about this book is reading the reviews. It's really funny how the reviewers twist the way Sherman Alexei uses immature humor. It reminded me that if you want to, you can scratch anything to meet your goals. It's the most common strategy for middle schoolers. You'll say one thing, and immediately they decide you meant something else. It can be annoying, but it's honestly pretty funny to read on the first pages.
There were multiple times, however, when I could see evidence of what they sad. His story is spun with tragedies. Despite this, he manages to alleviate the mood of the story with said immature humor. It's insanely funny, and it isn't cringe-worthy, or anything of that sort.
There were multiple times, however, when I could see evidence of what they sad. His story is spun with tragedies. Despite this, he manages to alleviate the mood of the story with said immature humor. It's insanely funny, and it isn't cringe-worthy, or anything of that sort.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Saturday, January 28, 2017
ATDPTI Reading Response
Honestly, I love this book. It sends you for a loop with its mix of childish humor and deep sadness. It has an excellent way of going about tragedies and wrongdoings, and it makes them have a sense of hilarity at the same time. It made me feel the emotions that Junior was feeling. This is one of my favorite things that happens in books.
One of the biggest things that affected me in this book was not any event that transpired on the pages. It was when I realized that the author of the book was not living the story he wrote. He was writing as Sherman Alexei. This moved me, not because it disappointed me, but because I realized how well this man can write. For me to be fooled into thinking that he was living through these events is an incredible feat in my mind. Honestly, this book is what the Diary of a Wimpy Kid should aspire to be.
One of the biggest things that affected me in this book was not any event that transpired on the pages. It was when I realized that the author of the book was not living the story he wrote. He was writing as Sherman Alexei. This moved me, not because it disappointed me, but because I realized how well this man can write. For me to be fooled into thinking that he was living through these events is an incredible feat in my mind. Honestly, this book is what the Diary of a Wimpy Kid should aspire to be.
Free Post
Throughout my life, I've always been fascinated by the talent to see an image in your head, and recreate it on paper with lines and marks. I have always envied the ability to draw. Coming from someone who survived off of fantasy novels for the first, well actually, I still kinda am. I get all of these images in my head, some being described by the author, and some that I create myself. The thing that I am thankful for is the ability to convey my meaning in words.
I have recently started to write a story. It will, of course, be a fantasy. I have tried this at least seven times in my life, and they al turn out, well, less than I had hoped or envisioned. However, this time will be different. How do I know this? This time I'm going to do something that I've never actually thought of. I am going to make an outline. This is an extremely simple solution that I should've figured out years ago. Anyways, we'll see how it goes, and if I'm satisfied with it (which, knowing me, I won't be) I'll share it with the class, my teachers, or really anyone who cares to listen.
I have recently started to write a story. It will, of course, be a fantasy. I have tried this at least seven times in my life, and they al turn out, well, less than I had hoped or envisioned. However, this time will be different. How do I know this? This time I'm going to do something that I've never actually thought of. I am going to make an outline. This is an extremely simple solution that I should've figured out years ago. Anyways, we'll see how it goes, and if I'm satisfied with it (which, knowing me, I won't be) I'll share it with the class, my teachers, or really anyone who cares to listen.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Last Semester
Coming from a different school, I knew that there would be challenges to face at Episcopal, both socially and academically. However, I severely underestimated the difference in the amount of work I received at my old school compared to the amount I receive now. Don't get me wrong, I've adapted to the workload, and I'm currently in a steady spot with my homework, so I think I'll be okay.
Home life is slightly different. I'm not interacting as much as I'd like to with my family, and I just don't feel as if I have enough time to relax. I have a problem with procrastination, and it is especially bad when I'm at school. Rather than work at tutorial or study hall, I say to myself, "Homework is for home." rather than just working on it. That is my biggest problem that I hope to conquer in the second semester.
Home life is slightly different. I'm not interacting as much as I'd like to with my family, and I just don't feel as if I have enough time to relax. I have a problem with procrastination, and it is especially bad when I'm at school. Rather than work at tutorial or study hall, I say to myself, "Homework is for home." rather than just working on it. That is my biggest problem that I hope to conquer in the second semester.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Research Paper
I'm currently two and a half pages into my outline. The outline is single spaced, so it needs to be three pages to meet the six-page final copy that will be double spaced. My topic is discussing the events that affected Ho Chi Minh's view on the Soviet Union. This topic isn't necessarily important to history per say, but I find it extremely interesting. Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary who freed Vietnam from French control, and he attempted to unite North and South Vietnam.
One of my favorite things about this topic and the research that goes with it is the history I learn about China and Russia. I've learned more and more about conflicts and internal power struggles. I've also discovered that in his later days, Ho Chi Minh had better relations with China than he did the Soviet Union. He used the Soviet Union mainly as a stepping stone, and as a means to get enough power to free his own country. I am infatuated with recent history, and this subject is ripe with new discoveries for me.
One of my favorite things about this topic and the research that goes with it is the history I learn about China and Russia. I've learned more and more about conflicts and internal power struggles. I've also discovered that in his later days, Ho Chi Minh had better relations with China than he did the Soviet Union. He used the Soviet Union mainly as a stepping stone, and as a means to get enough power to free his own country. I am infatuated with recent history, and this subject is ripe with new discoveries for me.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Free Post- My Weekend
This weekend was a much-needed break, it feels as if we haven't had a break in ages. (that was a joke) But in all honesty, this weekend was more relaxing than the entirety of winter break. I ate great food, bought several interesting books, and went to the movies with my mom. The movie we saw was called Hidden Figures. It is a film about three black women in 1961 who work in the calculations department for NASA, amidst the race between Russia and the United States.
This movie gives a firsthand look at the injustices and poor treatment of not only African-Americans but women in general. Not only does this film serve as a reminder of the immense change we, as a nation, have gone through, but it also has deep tragedies and many emotional moments. At one point, I looked over at my mother to see her eyes watery. This was a great movie, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
This movie gives a firsthand look at the injustices and poor treatment of not only African-Americans but women in general. Not only does this film serve as a reminder of the immense change we, as a nation, have gone through, but it also has deep tragedies and many emotional moments. At one point, I looked over at my mother to see her eyes watery. This was a great movie, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Research Update
The most I can say about the progress of my project is that, well, it hasn't completely stopped yet. There were a few times where I gained lots of momentum and was able to accomplish much. There were also times where I developed something similar to writer's block. I would lose all sense of meaning or direction in the paper, and I would often need someone to pull me out. As I write these words, I laugh because it seems to be happening now.
I feel like the hardest thing about the paper so far has been the notecards. I honestly don't feel comfortable enough with the assignment. I need some help in figuring that out. The easiest part by far has been annotating sources. It has always been clear to me how these sources would connect to my topic. I do need to ask around for help on more components than just the notecards, but that is a large part of what is troubling me.
I feel like the hardest thing about the paper so far has been the notecards. I honestly don't feel comfortable enough with the assignment. I need some help in figuring that out. The easiest part by far has been annotating sources. It has always been clear to me how these sources would connect to my topic. I do need to ask around for help on more components than just the notecards, but that is a large part of what is troubling me.
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