Poetry...Haiku

I know we're almost done with poetry, but does anyone remember haiku? 5, 7, 5? They were always one of my favorite forms of poetry mostly because they were so simple. I was hoping everone could write a few here and comment on each others as well. If you're bad at haiku write another poem (yours or someone elses) for everyone to analyize.
YAY poetry!... I wrote a few of mine, read and enjoy!-- or not, its cool.

Falling on my head
I go walking in the rain
Without a hat on

One thing on my mind
Only one thing on my mind
I'm going to eat you

This rising of sun
I pray if the dawn should break
That I may break too

Macbeth

We've finished Macbeth already, and I honestly found it quite refreshing. It was easy to follow, violent, and short. When reading up on the frequent themes that Shakespeare employs, I've noticed a pattern in his tragedies that death always has the tendency to elicit nefarious traits ranging from things such as corruption to insanity. However, in Macbeth a prevalent motif that I found interesting was the thin line that Lady Macbeth constantly walked when her femininity was in question,or her husbands manliness in that matter. I found Lady Macbeth's violent and manliness intriguing. Her ability to belittle her life partner in such a time that women were suspected to be subservient made her a unique. It is also no question that she was completely the mastermind of the concocted plan to make Macbeth king. Are there any other themes that you guys favored or that stood out to you?

Shakespeare papers

After collecting all my research and data, on shakespeare's play I figured out I'm no where close to having all the info I need to write this paper...

So Ms. Hill says we should all use this blog to help each other will lets all post information on the tradgies we had to read on our own. This will benfit us all =)

I ♥ FREE!

Gimme an "F", Gimme an "R", Gimme an "E - E!" What does that spell?! FREE!!!!!!!!!

When it comes to applying for colleges & universities, the question that pops into our heads is whether or not we will have at least $1 left to buy something off the McDonald's dollar menu by the time SAT/ACT & college applications are over. However, applying for colleges should be less of a burden on our wallets than our time, which is why, I took the courtesy of researching colleges and universities that offer a FREE application! Call me crazy, but I've yet to meet someone who doesn't like the sound of FREE stuff. With a wad of money left in our pockets & a big smile on our faces we can all UPGRADE from the dollar menu & maybe be able to afford a decent meal at IHOP! :)

• Augustana College
• Baylor University
• Blackburn Collegee
• Butler University
• Cabrini College
• Central Wyoming College
• Centre College
• Champlain College
• College of Wooster
• Columbia College (SC)
• Franklin Collegee
• Hampshire College
• Hanover College
• Hartford, University of
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indianapolis, University of
• Iowa Wesleyan College
• Jackson State University
• Johnson & Wales University:)
• Johnson State College
• Mississippi College
• Northwest Missouri State University
• Northwestern College (IA)
• Notre Dame College (OH)
• Notre Dame de Namur University
• Oakland University
• Oglethorpe University
• Ohio Dominican University
• Purdue University-North Central
• Queens University of Charlotte
• Quincy University
• Rhodes College
• Texas-El Paso, University of
• Thiel College
• Thomas Aquinas College
  
• Tulane University
• Tusculum College
• Unity College
• Ursinus College
• Ursuline College
• Valley Forge Christian College
• Valparaiso University
• Vermont, Community College of
• Villa Maria College of Buffalo
• Villa Julie College
• Viterbo Universitye
• Wellesley Collegerado
• Wesley College
• Wesleyan College (GA)
• Whittier College
• Whitworth College
• Widener University
• Wittenberg University

Elegy

I got a rewrite on my first elegy, so here is my second one:


Left, lost, lonely and longing-
you are never coming back.
The candid memories evoke such sweet mourning

Left, lost, lonely and longing-
the flicker in my heart and mind cries our for you,
begging for your return.

Left, lost, lonely and longing-
I yearn to take another drive,
like the ones we took to nowhere.

Left, lost, lonely and longing-
darkenss glows in your,
abondoned place.


And Ms. Hill its not about anyone you know....

Symbolism in Hamlet

In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses symbolism quite well as a away to express, betrayel and destruction. The symbolism that were used was a snake that the Ghost presents in the talk with hamlet. "A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark / Is by a forged process of my death / Rankly abused." this serpent is the uncle, but could also being considered the devil by the story of Adam and Eve, so as seen bibically and in the play seen a tratior. The serpents sting was of the poison used to in the kings ears by his brother is the destruction of Denmark, the reason for this is that the late king also represent as the era in which Denmark was in peace. Showing the destruction was also the start of the new Kings rule starting within the murder of past king. The start of betrayel will only lead to the destruction of the new era. this shows that a seed planted in blood soaked soil will only bear fruits of betrayel and violence, which was the new era of King of Denmark

Houston We Have A Problem... AGAIN AND REVISED

Before I begin, let me get something straight, I am in no way taking out my problems or issues on Hamlet, but rather I am giving perspective. If you don't understand what I am talking about, then I'm sorry. I am just giving clarification to this issue. Ms. Hill, I ask that you read the full thing before you decide whether or not to delete this.

Hamlet, a story of redemption, misconceptions, and tragedy. It is one of the many Shakespearean plays that consist of the elements of redemption, misconceptions, and tragedy. Although each of Shakespeare's plays are unique in their own way, they all revolve around the same elements. This is not necessarily bad because this exposure to these themes allows the reader to better understand the mindset of characters such as Hamlet.

Parallels can be drawn between characters such as Hamlet and Romeo. For example, both characters were more willing to face death then exile. They both are also examples of how a vendetta can turn into a feud, and from there, into blood lust that hurts all in their path.

I appreciate you reading this, whomever does. I would also appreciate POSITIVE feedback, because no-one has ever done so for anything I have posted. Here is a final thought for everyone:

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

Let's start the reviewing!

Hey guys, as the days go by, we get closer and closer to our AP exam. So, I came up with a fun (kind of) way to review. We should write a "story," but each of us have a max of FOUR sentences in it (we can write as many times as we want but each time a max of three sentences. Like, me then Marleen then me... etc. I hope you guys get it, I don't know if I'm explaining too well). All of us just keep adding and adding to the story until we're completely done with vocab and we can come back to this post to review. That way while we're taking the test we can remember our crazy story. Here are all of the words up until now (11/14/2010).

Acrimonious/Acrimoniously
Ambiguity/Ambiguous
Amicable/Amicably
Anomaly/Anomalies
Antipathy
Antithesis
Augmentation/Augment
Benevolence/Benevolent/Benevolently
Blasé (code for the é is: Alt + 130)
Cacophony
Callous/Callously
Capriciousness/Capricious/Capriciously
Caustic/Caustically
Clandestine
Cliché
Cognizant
Compatibility/Compatible
Complacency/Complacent/Complacently
Conducive
Connoisseur
-
Debilitate
Decadence/Decadent/Decadently
Demur
Deprecation/Deprecate
Discreet/Discreetly
Escalation/Escalate
Elicit
Fabrication/Fabricate
Flamboyance/Flamboyant/Flamboyantly
Implacable
Inebriated
Mendacious
Nebulous
Nepotism
Pragmatism/Pragmatic
-
Enigma/Enigmatic/Enigmatically
Incredulous
Lampoon
Nefarious
Nuance
Ostentatious/Ostentatiously
Paramount
Proliferate/Prolific
Temerity
Urbane
-
Brevity
Calamity
Candid/Candidly
Commendable
Controversy/Controversial
Frivolity/Frivolous
Infatuation/Infatuate
Inquisition/Inquisitive/Inquisitively
Maneuver
Melancholy
Satire/Satirical
Scrutiny/Scrutinize
-
Accustomed
Crass
Cumbersome
Deceit/Deceive/Deceptive/Deceptively
Eloquence/Eloquent/Eloquently
Emancipation/Emancipate
Empathy/Empathize/Empathetic/Empathetically
Ramification
Subsequent/Subsequently
Villain/Villainous
Vindictive/Vindictively

Phew, that was a lot. Anyways, I'm going to begin the story since I'm creating the post, haha.

The sun shone very brightly through the window. As Brody awakened, she looked out the window and felt melancholy as she gazed down at the street She was very confused, and when she turned, she saw a "walker" coming towards her...
You guys can finish it off!(:

Shakespearean Tragedies Paper

Hey, guys! I was just curious as to what your papers are going to be about! I'm sure we have a myriad of different topics we are going to touch upon... My paper will be focusing on the prevalence of suicide found throughout Shakespeare's tragedies... so, feel free to comment! I can't wait to read the topics you guys will be writing about! :)

Why Don't Presidents Fight The War?

So, I became enlightened with a thought. Why not make a biweekly post about something interesting and fun that will engage student interest and at the same time have educational meaning? :)

Today's Topic: Pick a singer or a band that you like or admire who is/was very influential in shaping American ideals. How about a singer or a band that speaks out against or for a certain cause. You can provide a couple lines of a particular song, pictures, etc. Try not to pick the same artist as someone else. (When responding, do NOT turn this into a heated online debate about opinions, & beliefs. Please stick to the prompt.)

SYSTEM OF A DOWN - "B.Y.O.B"

One of my favorite bands from a couple of years ago is System Of A Down. One of their most mainstream songs is called "B.Y.O.B" which like Omar said, sounds like a woman screaming while pulling her hair out. However, if you analyze the lyrics closely, you can find the true meaning of the song. The theme of the song revolves around war, most notably Operation Iraqi Freedom. My interpretation of this song is that it is anti-war and speaking out against the government that engages us in war but doesn't fight in it. The line "Why don't presidents fight the war, Why do they always send the poor" conveys that message. System Of A Down also touches on the influences of the media and advertisements that promote and encourage young men and women going off to war. "Marching forward hypocritic & hypnotic computers" portrays these young men and women as being hypnotized or brainwashed by the idea of war and what it means to "fight for your country" or "fight for your freedom". Neverthless, the song goes on by saying that "You depend on our protection, Yet you feed us lies from the table cloth", once again stating how the government depends on the sacrifice that these men and women are making, yet they are "feeding" lies to them about their motive for fighting.

Literary Devices from AP vocab list

There's maybe definitely, almost always, sometimes something subtly, dramatic and awkwardly amazing about life!
>.< I used alliteration and parodox in one sentence; I hope you're happpy Ms. Hill.

My thesis for the Shakespeare research paper

Since we didn't get to go over my thesis in class, here it is:
Shakespeare employs irony to convey the role of fate in his tragedies, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, and Macbeth.

Backstory to Hamlet's veiw of what a grieving mother should be.

((This is a "pull-out" from my journal. I just want some comments on it and see if there can be anything added. Thank you.))

As I recently read The Trojan Woman by Euripides, I didn't know that I was going to read the tale about Hecuba. In the play, Hecuba was a royal mother of a country. In that country, a war broke out, her husband's army lost, and the land was scorched to ruins.

Hecuba ",My country is lost, my children, my husband," (Euripides, 2006).

In that lost Hecuba experienced an even greater loss; her husband died in battle and now the winning enemy was taking the winner's role of decision. Which that resulted in Hecuba's family become separated and her youngest son to be eradicated.

Hecuba ",O my children, you have gone and left your mother in a deserted city--to the bitterness of dirges and lamentations and tears, fountains of tears, in our home," (Euripides, 2006).

Now going back to Hamlet, he displays the understanding of his mother and he understands that she is not lamenting like a loving and loyal wife. Instead, Hamlet see his mother marrying and fornicating with her brother right after the death of her husband. That is when Hamlet decides to use Hecuba as his mother's opposite. Hamlet understands the tale of the loving mother Hecuba to the "T," which makes him dislike his mother’s irrational actions.

Reoccurances!

What motifs, themes and/or ideas can you find that occure and then reoccure in literature? From your first readings to now what can you find that parallels? And why? can you find themes, allusions or certain types of irony that are prominent in liturature from similar periods of history? Are there poetic styles that are more prominent in the romantic era that have contintued of died since then? What literary styles run into a continuum from then to now? If you find any, share them!

Hamlet!

Ok, guys. I don't know about you... but I'm enjoying Hamlet so far :). What are some of the symbols, metaphors, and figurative language you've noticed in reading Act 1? I've noticed a myriad of them... such as when Laertes is talking to his sister Ophelia about her involvement with Hamlet he tells her, "Think it no more...In thews and bulk, but as this temple waxes/ The inward service of the mind and soul/ Grows wide withal." Although the language is completely confusing, he is basically describing the maturity of the mind and the soul. I love how he uses the metaphor"temple waxes" because it's just beautiful imagery.

College is AWESOME: Finish with a BANG!

Hey guys,

First and foremost, I hope that you all are well and that you are giving this last final push your all, because believe me when I say that it IS worth it.

Wow, guys! College is so amazing, I am seriously having trouble putting my feelings into words. There are so many things, so many resources that only a college campus can provide you with and (you will hear me say this a lot) it is AWESOME, GREAT, FANTASTIC, AMAZING!

However, before I tell you guys a bit about what I have been up to, I would like to express my support for you guys. I was there last year at this time of year. Ask Miss Hill, Borne, or Blank, we would have talks about my frustration--I felt that I was ready to move on from SRHS, and I was dying to graduate. I bet a lot of you guys, especially combination of the changed this year and the AP load-work, are probably feeling similar things. Yet, in retrospect, I truly wish I would have just stepped back, took a breath, and enjoyed my senior year. This is the reason I write to you guys, you should all enjoy each other, your teachers, and really the great tight-knit community that SRHS has to offer you. Believe me, a college campus with 30,000 people like UNLV, is anything BUT tight-knit. In addition, while

Fall Break

During fall break, I got a chance to sit in on a lecture on the USC graduate campus, and

College Apps, Acceptances, and Tips.

Hey guys! I know this is the one topic that we've all gotten tired of hearing about but I think this is a perfect time to start conversing among ourselves about college. Where are you all applying? Are you all working on your personal essays? Oh and our letters of recommendation, those are important as well. Plus I think we could all help each other out with finding and posting scholarships on here as well :D
I know this hour I'm going up to Mrs. Rodriguez's to look through her coveted binder. I want your feedback! :)

"BIGGER" Poems :)

Hey everyone!

I had a lot of fun writing my "Bigger" poem so I wanted to start this post so that all of us could share our ideas, give commentary about each others poems & analyze what each of our poems means to each of us. Of course, the meaning you get may not be the same as the poet's but that's the powerful thing about a poem; that it can be interpreted is so many different ways and mean something totally different to each reader. Here is my poem. Read it. Love it. Tear it apart with your criticism. :)

BIGGER is he, who fights
Against oppression.
BIGGER are they who speak out against
Their self-inflicted frustration.
BIGGER are the numbers,
Of the victims tainted by discrimination.

The chains of human bigotry,
The locks of pure antipathy,
White are the men,
That robbed mankind of its dignity.

Inside the darkness of the shroud
My whole body, my being is devoured
By this overwhelming force
That never once felt remorse.

Black faces, with shame are blighted
Raped, and beaten for all to sight
Crying out to the heavens in rage,
Much like the bird cries from within his cage.

Native Son

Since we began reading Native son, I've been wanting to create a post, so here we go. (:

The action in Native Son starts very quickly; right away we see the violence in Bigger (killing of the rat). However, his violence escalates to fighting with Gus, then to the amazing killing of Mary Dalton. Some would think that he might become more humane because he killed Mary, and he should feel badly for what he did. However, he has become more paranoid; which I believe will lead to something worse, or maybe causing him to become insane. We're only about 100 pages into the novel, but it's intriguing. I love that he became so paranoid that he cut Mary's head and burned it with the rest of her body... IN HER OWN FAMILY FERNACE!
If I had Bigger in front of me, I'd love to question him and see what exactly was running through his mind. I believe he acted solely out of fear. He should have just left her laying in bed so that in the morning her family would think she died from alcohol poisoning. This comes to show how different Bigger is from the rest; he doesn't process the same as others. He let his paranoia get to him.
Let's keep reading to see what happens with Bigger in Flight! I'm so excited.

Now, to comment on Wright's style of writing. He uses dialogue on almost every page, and the way he uses language conveys Bigger's desires and his motivation. Wright wants the readers to see how much of an impact society has on him. Bigger has let society create him as time goes by, and it's come to a point that he's doing some crazy things. The using of colors such as black and white can be tied to society in those days. For example, right after he killed Mary it began to snow, and the color is white. It might be that it's coming to haunt him and to show that the white society is overwhelming for him...
Okay, I'm going to stop "wrighting" and let other people share their ideas.(:

Mighty Casey Has Struck Out

There is an old poem about an expert baseball player named Casey who made his baseball team lose the biggest game in their league simply because he refused to even bother swinging at the first two pitches and then he missed the third. Perhaps I am being a little harsh, but that is what I am seeing happening to this blog. Sure it seems great at first glance. Then you look and see that the last post was posted back in May. Are we going to act like we're the best but end up flaking out in the end? I don't know if anybody is even bothering to read this, but if you are, please post something, people. The past AP English students and those of the present should all be contributing to this blog. If we are going to decide it's not worth it, then we are going to stumble just like Mighty Casey on his third pitch and end up losing the game.

Memoirs....

This is a dedication to our class! I'm sorry it can't be better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zijKo82ECB4

Out with the old, In with the new!

I want to hear from the incoming class of 2011! The new AP.E students!

How is the reading? Who is reading which book? This is the place to post your commentary on the summer reading and journal writing.

Final Day

Well, grads, here it is. Our final day of high school forever. Well, we've had our ups and we've had our downs, but through it all, we've stuck it out. It's been a good and long four years, and I wish you all the best of luck in your futures. Godspeed, my friends.

At Long Last!

Well, everybody, here it is. We are halfway through our final week of High School. Ever. Now, I know that there will be few (if any) of you who read this, but for those of you who took the time to view this post, I say this: Life is what YOU make it. Do NOT let ANYBODY tell you how to live your life. Only YOU can do that. You go into this world now now as humble high school students, but as achieving young men and women. Hopefully all of you will become movers and shakers in this world. We all have the power to alter the course of history single-handedly. So let's get out there and DO IT. Congratulations to the graduating seniors of 2010!

Quaerere Verum! (Seek Truth)

The Aftermath!

So, it has been a couple of days since we took the A.P. English Literature and Composition exam and I'm sure many of you, including myself, are excited to talk about the prompts and the different things we wrote. Due to College Board rules and regulations we may not talk about the prompts until Monday, when Ms. Hill receives them; furthermore, we are expected to never utter a single word about the multiple choice, for it can harm the outcome of your test. Come Monday, we may talk about the prompt; however, until then we can discuss the experience of "The Test". Being the first A.P. test for some of us, was it what you expected? How did you feel going into the testing room and how did you feel leaving? For those who have taken a test before, how did it differ from the previous one(s)?

-Esteban

Novel Overview

Here are the notes I took on certain books we discussed. Feel free to attach more notes about these books or about the plethora of others

The Glass Menagerie Tennesssee Williams 1945

*Amanda- Mom, lives in past

*Laura- symbolism of glass/unicorn

*Tom- Narrator- worked in lackluster warehouse, poet.

*Jim- “The Gentlemen Caller”

Idea of escape, Picture of Father who fell in love with long distances,

Native Son Richard Wright 1930s; Southside Chicago; Winter; White Black Motif

Bigger Thomas

Mary Dalton

The Daltons

Bessie

Buddy

Jan

Max

Vera

Titles of Books- Fear, Flight, Fate

Idea of society, racism

Are we helping produce this type of atmosphere?

Native Son, he’s a native of society

Siddhartha Herman Hesse 1951

Gutama Budha- The One

Siddhartha

Govinda

Kamala

Young Siddhartha

Vesudeva

River, Experiencing, Truth from within, “The Golden Mean”, The Brahmin- growing out of one’s environment, Caged Bird, One, Went from one extreme to another

Novel Overview

Here are the notes I took on certain books we discussed. Feel free to attach more notes about these books or about the plethora of others

The Glass Menagerie Tennesssee Williams 1945

*Amanda- Mom, lives in past

*Laura- symbolism of glass/unicorn

*Tom- Narrator- worked in lackluster warehouse, poet.

*Jim- “The Gentlemen Caller”

Idea of escape, Picture of Father who fell in love with long distances,

Native Son Richard Wright 1930s; Southside Chicago; Winter; White Black Motif

Bigger Thomas

Mary Dalton

The Daltons

Bessie

Buddy

Jan

Max

Vera

Titles of Books- Fear, Flight, Fate

Idea of society, racism

Are we helping produce this type of atmosphere?

Native Son, he’s a native of society

Siddhartha Herman Hesse 1951

Gutama Budha- The One

Siddhartha

Govinda

Kamala

Young Siddhartha

Vesudeva

River, Experiencing, Truth from within, “The Golden Mean”, The Brahmin- growing out of one’s environment, Caged Bird, One, Went from one extreme to another

April 28th

Today, April 28th, is National Poetry Reading Day. In honor of this underappreciated holiday, I suggest that we celebrate by recommending our favorite poet or poets. Happy National Poetry Reading Day!!!

My favorite poets are:
Edgar Allan Poe, T. S. Eliot, Lord Byron, E. E. Cummings, and a whole lot more! bUT PERHAPS MY FAVORITE modern author is this guy:

http://anonymouspoet3.blogspot.com/

Everyone has that one work of literature that they have read which has profoundly impacted them. It could be a book we have read in class together, a book you read perhaps even in the 8th grade, regardless I want to know about a book that you have read which impacted your mind, body, and soul. This book might have stimulated your mind, sent chills down your spine, and perhaps altered the way you felt about life in general. What did you perceive that had previously been imperceptible and how did this book help?

Our Collection

Alright guys, it is getting down to the wire! The AP English Literature Exam is in two weeks and its crunch time now! Throughout our high school careers we have read a plethora of novels and plays, individually and collectively as a class, that have helped us prepare for the big test. I have compiled a list, taken directly from Ms. Hill's archives, of the books read thus far, solely in our English classes, to help those whom have simply forgotten or need to review our collection.

They are listed chronologically of when we read them, beginning with Freshman year.

--> Anthem

--> Romeo and Juliet

-->West Side Story

--> Of Mice and Men

-->Fahrenheit 451

--> To Kill A Mockingbird

--> The Grape's of Wrath

--> The Scarlet Letter

-->The Crucible

-->A Light In August

-->The Glass Menagerie

--> Wuthering Heights

--> A Tale of Two Cities

--> Native Son

--> Hamlet

--> Macbeth

--> Frankenstein

--> The Kite Runner

--> Siddhartha

--> Brave New World

-Esteban.

STUDY TIPS

Miss. Hill said that from now on we should be focused on the AP Lit. test.

Which means we must study!This post ( and comments provided) will be dedicated to study tips, guides, or preparation advice. Thus I will begin with a list of words that may be used to describe the tone within a piece of prose or poetry, here it is:

[UPDATED LINK]

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:5tNnFEYhypYJ:www.ecisd.us/211820827115824760/lib/211820827115824760/_files/Vocabulary_Words_that_Describe_TONE.doc+words+to+describe+tone+in+literature&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

A bit long but it is a google word document.

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, Forum. I figured that, considering the fact that we are working on poetry in class, that it would be appropriate to discuss poems. So, for the sake of National Poetry Month, why don't you either share your favorite poem or discuss a poem you feel is really significant in some way. Thanks for listening, Forum.

AP Vocab list blocks 1-4, 2010

Nebulous,
Nepotism,
Pragmatic,
Pragmatism,
Fabrication,
Fabricate,
Flamboyant,
Flamboyantly,
Implacable,
Inebriated,
Mendacious,
Deprecation,
Deprecate,
Discreetly,
Escalation,
Escalate,
Elicit,
Debilitate,
Decadence,
Decadent,
Decadently,
Demur,
Proliferate,
Prolific,
Temerity,
Urbane,
Nefarious,
Nuance,
Ostentatious,
Ostentatiously,
Paramount,
Enigma,
Enigmatic,
Enigmatically,
Incredulous,
Lampoon,
Conducive,
Connoisseur,
Clandestine,
Cliché,
Cognizant,
Compatibility,
Complacency,
Complacent,
Complacently,
Blasé,
Cacophony,
Callous,
Callously,
Capriciousness,
Capricious,
Capriciously,
Caustic,
Caustically,
Anomaly,
Antipathy,
Antithesis,
Augmentation,
Augment,
Benevolence,
Benevolently,
Acrimonious,
Acrimoniously,
Ambiguity,
Ambiguous,
Amicable,
Amicably,
Unscrupulous,
Retrospect,
Retrospectively,
Garrulous,
Impeccable,
Insatiable,
Morose,
Oscillating,
Propriety,
Alter ego,
Aversion,
Contrite,
Culmination,
Culminate,
Facade,
Fracas,
Equanimity,
Efficacy,
Expiation,
Ennui,
Languishing,
Malefic,
Incredulous,
Uncouth,
Reverence,
Defiantly,
Despotic,
Prostrate,
Senility,
Perfunctory,
Trifling,
Acrid,
Pungent,
Sallow,
Proverbial,
Rueful,
Furtive,
Abate,
Incessant,
Insidious,
Reticent,
Solace,
Lewd,
Surreptitious,
Parvenu,
Bereft,
Atrophy,
Heraldic,
Effusive,
Taciturn,
Munificent,
Macabre,
Sardonic,
Lugubrious,
Elegiac,
Laudatory,
Vituperative,
Facetious,
Jingoistic,
Idyllic,
Didactic,
Maudlin,
Guile,
Integration,
Subterfuge,
Segregate,
Poignant,
Called,
Evinced,
Ardor,
Paroxysm,
Intuitive,
Syndics,
Averred,
Panegyric,
Galling,
Vivacity,
Vacillate,
Gaiety,
Irksome,
Dilatoriness,
Salubrious,
Perambulations,
Ecstasy,
inextricable,
Extricate,
Allude,
incessant,
Polyandrous,
Provincial,
Malignity,
Decrepitude,
Postulate,
Prerequisite,
Metaphysical,
Metaphysics,
Anthology,
Brevity,
Calamity,
Candid,
Commendable,
Frivolity,
Infatuation,
Inquisition,
Melancholy,
Satire,
Scrutiny,
Capriciousness,
Crass,
Cumbersome,
Deceit,
Eloquence,
Emancipation,
Empathy,
Ramification,
Subsequent,
Vindictive,
Detriment,
Havoc,
Heinous,
Inhibition,
Laxity,
Livid,
Meticulous,
Perfidious,
Pugnacious,
Quandary,
Unconscionable,
Vehemently,
Monastic,
Erudition,
Reverie,
Ascendancy,
Pernicious,
Ruminating,
Paradoxical,
Idiosyncrasy,
Juxtaposed,
Sentient,
Vacillate,
Voluptuousness,
Incipient,
Ardor,
Pallid,
Countenance,
Solemnity,
Conjecture,
Arbiters,
Scion,
Vindication,Coup d' oeil,
Inauspicious,
Impediments,
Decimation,
Effusive,
Specious,
Preponderates,
Scruple,
Fastidious,
Libertine,
Intersperse,
Squalid,
Ignominy,
Unsullied,
Promontory,
Incommode,
Obdurate,
Purloin,
Verdure,
Timorous,
Prognosticate,
Ephemeral,
Negligently,
Commiserate,
Entice,
Assuager,
Disconsolate,
Allure,
Foliage,
Asylum,
Expostulate,
Disquisition,
Impotent,
Palpitate,
Pensive,
Sagacious,
Tumult,
Allegory,
Alliteration,
Anapestic,
Anecdote,
Archetype,
Asyndeton,
Ballad,
Blank verse,
Chiasmus,
Conceit,
Connotation,
Consonance,
Denouement,
Dialect,
Diction,
Extended Metaphor,
Free verse,
Iambic Pentameter,
In medias res
Irony, Situational,
Irony, Verbal,
Litote,
Lyric,
Meter,
Ode,
Omniscient point of view,
Paradox,
Refrain,
Rhetoric,
Speaker,
Narrator,
Style,
Syntax,
Allusion,
Ambivalence,
Anachronism,
Anaphora,
Antecedent,
Antithesis,
Aphorism,
Apostrophe,
Assonance,
Bildungsroman,
Cacophony,
Carpe Diem,
Catharsis.

Fordy Ford fertilizer!!

Hey guys, I just want to know if anyone has been noticing this, but has the absence of a religion or a God has made the citizens of the world state seem nihilistic towards death? I mean this really reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughter-House V repetition of "so it goes." He uses this phrase to show a characters death and the world state conditions the youth to treat death as a minor problem. So what do you guys think? I want to hear if you guys found any other connections in this book, if you guys do blog it please!

Word of the Week

Sorry so late guys! This week's word is:

Aposiopesis (pronounced like it sounds with a long e): a sudden break in speaking: a sudden break in speaking, giving the impression that the speaker does not want to or cannot continue.
For example, in the sentence: “On Tuesday morning I came in just as I always do, and I saw— I can’t go on”.

The Glass Menagerie: The Play

Hey guys! So I was perusing through today's AZ Republic, and guess what I discovered!

The Glass Menageries is playing downtown at the Herberger Theatre.

Alice, Esteban, Kim Misek (class of '09), and I are planning on going. You guys should come!

An AP-E Date!

There is a showing Thursday that will hold a Post-show discussion, which I think will be awesome. We would all be able to contribute, or at least, understand the discussion!

Thursday, @ 7:pm Herberger Theater

Tickets are 30$.

We should consider going as a class!

Click the link below for more info

http://aztheatreco.org/index.html?topbar.html&0

Must Reads!

As you continue your research for your senior paper, you may find literary criticism in books, articles, blogs, etc. that you feel are worth sharing. Please post the names of these works here so that your peers can get the same enlightenment and future AP students will have some direction.

The Future of SRHS' AP English students

I would like to take this opportunity to request that we all post here where we will be attending school in the future. That is, I personally would like to know where you all will begin the rest of your lives! Its OK if its not certain. I hope that I am not the only curious one, right? Please include possible majors as well as the name of the institution and any relevant details like significant scholarships.
So I guess I will "begin at the beginning": I will attend Grand Canyon University in the fall as a pre-med student. Move-in day is August 26th!




(I hope this hasn't been posted yet) Thanks everybody!

Learning While Asleep: A Metaphor

"The Director walked slowly down the long line of cots. Rosy and relaxed with sleep, eight little boys and girls lay softly breathing... At the end of the room a loud speaker projected from the wall."

(Chapter 2, p. 28)

I would like to have a discussion about Huxley's idea of hypnoæpdia.

This certain society grows up learning everything they know in their sleep, unaware- when they are not cognizant of their environment.

"They'll grow up with what psychologists used to call an 'instinctive' hatred of books and flowers... A love of nature keeps no factories busy." (Chapter 2, p 23)

The people learning in their sleep is truly a metaphor for an entire society who is blind not only when they are in slumber, but also when they are awake. They are not allowed to read books- not that they know they exist, anyway- and are not allowed to go into nature for pure enjoyment. Knowledge and Nature are two of the most powerful entities that exist, we know that, and the Director in this novel surely knows that as well. Knowledge and Nature are so powerful because they garner passion and purpose in people- what the Alpha, Bettas, Gammas, et cetera are missing. They garner a religion. These two entities, or the lack there of, are what are keeping the people from their humanity, it is why they are utterly controllable. They stand for nothing, and so they will fall for anything.

Yet, have no fear! As we discussed in class, there are some minute flashes of humanity in the novel, thus far. Especially with those that seem different from the rest; Lennina Crowne, Bernard Marx, and Helmholtz Watson.

" I feel like I could do something more important...Can you say something about nothing," in this passage (p 70) we see Watson struggling to name what he believes is missing from his life. He wants something "piercing", something exciting, and most paramount, something "important." What he is looking for is his own religion, because religion is communal, it makes you feel that you are a part of something bigger.

Thoughts?

Off the Assembly Line

Alright, Forum. I want to know what you think about this statement.

 In Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, the sacred thing known as individuality has been stolen from mankind by the application of mass production to all aspects of life.

Do you think this statement is true or false, Forum? Tell me your answer to this question and why you answered that way. Thanks, Forum. Have a good one.

Worldly Post: World Water Day

March 22nd marks the 18th World Water Day,



It is a date "set aside each spring by United Nations proclamation to celebrate the importance of fresh water. For those living in the Developed World, it's a chance to remember that an estimated 900 million people globally still lack access to the minimum daily required amount of safe fresh water." Aside from that many governments have denied people their right to water as it show in the picture above.

Many events are held worldwide during World Water Day. These include:

•Visual art, theatrical and musical celebrations of water.
•Symposia for local, national and international leaders on water management and security.
•Educational events on the importance of clean water and protecting water resources.
•Campaigns and events to raise money for access to clean and affordable water.
•Excursions to local rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
•Special broadcasts on television and radio and the Internet.
•Walks, runs and swimming other sports competitions.

More on topic:
www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/218615/126928192870.htm
www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/03/blessed_with_water.html
www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/flashindex.html

Word of the Week!

Epigram: any terse, witty or pointed saying.

example:

She knows the cost of everything, but the value of nothing.

• Gandhi was well know for some of his epigrams for example:

"Forgiveness adorns a soldier."

• An epigram can also be a short poem with the same characteristics.

Candy is dandy,

But liquor

Is quicker.

Ogden Nash (Poets.org)

Alright guys lets see what kind of epigrams we can come up with. :]

Approaching Farewell

Well, guys and girls, here we are again. We're all about to start another block. However, unlike every single block before, this one is our last. Soon, we'll be graduating, then getting ready for college, then actually GOING to college. At the end of these next nine weeks, we'll be Freshmen again, but Freshmen in college. It's probably a little intimidating, perhaps even a little scary, but we're all about to enter a brand new life. It was once said that one journey's end is another journey's beginning. These nine weeks are going to fly by and, before any of us know it, we'll realize just how true that statement is.

Good luck to all of us.

Senior Thesis

So, I was wondering who was doing what.

As we all know, during this last block we will working on a 9-week long essay- our senior thesis paper. The paper, though we do not have the format/guidelines yet, will be about a certain literary device/plot/theme/idea that we feel prevails in all the literature we have read- novels, poems, short-stories, memoirs, et cetera.

Have you guys though about it? I think I want to write my thesis on death in literature. Why is it that someone always seems to have to die in order for change to happen? My mind immediately goes to A Light in August, Of Mice and Men, A Tale of Two Cities, Wuthering Heights, Hamlet, Native Son, The Kite Runner, and many, many more.

I'm exicted!

March for Women: Womens History Month

CELEBRATING STRONG, INFLUENTIAL WOMEN FROM THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

Since this is an English
class,let us honor all the great women writers,
from Mary Shelley to Jane Austen.

Woo Hooo! Go Women!

Word of the Week( sorry it is so late. I am not tech savvy)

Colloquial

characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal

Basically it is just slang

Here is an example: Mark Twain uses Colloquial in many of his writings, like the novel Huckleberry Finn

So, why dun y'all post sum of y'all bes Colloquial sayin's!!

Research Presentations

Students who were part of the audience for the AP English Students' presentations should post a comment here. What did you find interesting? What do you have questions about?

Help me!

Hey guys! I was chose for the Arizona-I state finals for a 20k scholarship! Vote for me, please! Make sure to join ZINCH.COM to vote, get others to vote for me as well!

VOTE FOR ME ON VOTE FOR ME ON http://lnk.ms/4mGq0, HELP ME WIN THE 20K SCHOLARSHIP!VOTE FOR ME ON http://lnk.ms/4mGq0, HELP ME WIN THE 20K SCHOLARSHIP!, HELP ME WIN THE 20K SCHOLARSHIP!

Thanks

-Jose

Loose Sentence

A loose sentence sets the foremost idea prior to all additional information; in other words, it puts the main idea in the opening, letting the reader know what the sentence is essentially about within the first few words. A Loose Sentence must have a Basic Statement, followed by a string of details.

For Example:

Bells rang, filling the air with their clangor, startling pigeons into flight from every belfry, bringing people into the streets to hear the news.

Basic Statement: Bells rang

Details: filling the air with their clangor, startling pigeons into flight from every belfry, bringing people into the streets to hear the news.

Let's see YOUR Loose Sentence! (;

-Esteban

March 3

On March 3, we will have the honor of having Mr. Shook's honors students as our audience for your presentations! Be ready to show them what to expect next year.

The Kite Runner

Now that we have finished reading the novel, what did you guys think? What is most notable about Hosseini's writing?

Word of the Week

Anapestic (n.):
A metrical foot consisting of two short syllables followed by one long syllable or of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable.

The word unaware is an anapestic word since the "una" part is unstressed, but the "ware" is stressed.

Unite for human rights in Iran on February 11th

February 11th is Victory of the Revolution Day in Iran. Equivalent to the Fourth of July in the United States, it is a day commemorating liberty, independence and freedom. But the Iranian government has long violated these rights and is responsible for numerous abuses including torture, arbitrary arrests, censorship and the most recent execution of two activists accused of inciting the post-election protests on June 12th – even though these men had been held in detention long before the violence erupted.

Since blogs and websites like Twitter and YouTube were virtually the only way the Iranian people could expose the horrific treatment being inflicted on them in the days following the contested Presidential election, we expect that Iranians will turn to the Internet once again to carry their messages. That is why we are asking everyone to show their solidarity online on February 11th – whether it’s on your blog, website, or social networking profile.

Stand with us to ensure that Victory of the Revolution Day signifies an end to these abuses!

Non-Western World Research Paper

Since many of you have finished your research and have started drafting your papers, I thought that it would be a good idea to post which world leader/activist you decided to focus on, and why you chose him/her. What is it about their story that inspires you?

Word of the Week

METONYMY- a figure of speech in which a noun (person, place or thing), is referred to by something closely associated with it.

Example: We requested from the crown support for our petition.

• The crown is used to represent the monarch.
  

College Depot

There are college workshops at College Depot, located in the Burton Barr Library. Anyone is able to walk in anytime during the library hours and talk with counselors to help plan for college. They have tons of workshops that you can sign up for and they basically help you with ANYTHING you need. It's completely free, you just have to be proactive enough to get yourself over there.

http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org

Enter the URL and search for college depot and they give you a full layout of all the upcoming workshops.

Always listen to your mother!!

So for days now my mom has been trying to get me to read this article about financial aid for college and I have been blowing it off. This weekend I dedicated to filling out the FAFSA and finalizing some college applications! Before I started doing all that, I finally read the article! There's this thing called College Goal Sunday coming up on January 30th and January 31st, where you can will get FREE advice from experts about how to complete the federal forms to qualify for grants and student loans. There's locations in all major cities including Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, and Tempe. The Phoenix one will be held at South Mountain college and Phoenix college. I regret not listening to my mom and reading the article earlier because I had the power to inform other seniors about it at school /: That's unforgivable on my part..

For more information visit www.collegegoalsunday.com or call (602)-258-2435
-AlBa(:

I couldn't hear the sound, my speakers were acting up but I hope you guys can hear it clearly! I thought I'd post this since we just read chapter 7 about the kite fighting that Amir and Hassan participate in. Although Hosseni is blessed with the talent of painting vivid images with just words, actually seeing the Kite Fighting is different. This video shows an actual Afghan kite fighting champion, in addition this video gives us a history lesson, apparently kite fighting was banned by the Taliban! Enjoy!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYCLyNvFSDs





-AlBa(:

7 Years In Tiber: The Motion Picture

Hey guys! Since we were unable to schedule a time that worked for all of us to watch the film, I searched online and found the entire movie in one link (not in 6-10 min snippets like youtube)!

Prof. Hill said she would give us extra credit, 50pts, if we wrote a movie review & compared it to Siddhartha.

I am going to watch it tonight! I'll give feedback tomorrow during class,

here is the link

http://stagevu.com/video/ahyfbycqedpu

International Poets

What do you guys think of the UniVerse website? Who are your favorite authors?

Word of the week!

I apologize for the word being late guys! /:

Periodic Sentence-a sentence which is not grammatically complete until the end.

Seems logical right??!

An example is, "The child, who looked as if she were being chased by demons, ran."

Let's see what creative periodic sentences you guys can come up with! :D

-AlBa.

The Kite Runner

We will commence our reading of The Kite Runner this week. I am so grateful that we have access to the voices of Afghani/Middle Eastern writers, many of whom do not have a voice in their own countries! I have attached a link to a poetry site at the bottom of this page. One woman's poetry stands out to me the most. Please read her story. We are going to read it together on Monday.

Yo! New-Century Buddhism!

Did you guys read my post earlier this week? I essentially was wondering what religious leaders can do in order to not be lost in this century, how could they appeal to the younger crowds!
Well, I happened to stumble upon this, quite arbitrary actually. I think it is funny.
FOLLOW THE LINK:
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2010/01/21/lah.japan.monks.rap.cnn

The Walk, NOT Talk- Party

In the spirit of Siddhartha's way of life, of not talking, of ACTING instead, of experiencing life for one's self and allowing others to freely experience theirs, of finding middle ground in all things in life, of being open minded, We the students of the Advanced Placement South Ridge High School English class do establish this organization.

WELCOME TO THE WALK, NOT TALK PARTY!

ARE YOU TIRED OF POLITICIANS WHO JUST TALK, BUT DO NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, ZERO?

ARE YOU TURNED OFF BY TODAY'S POLITICAL IDEALS WHICH ARE FOCUSED ON ATTACKING THE "ENEMY" PARTY?

DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD MAKE A BETTER POLITICIAN? YEAH, SO DO WE!

This organization is one which vows to NEVER TALK, and only ACT. As Siddhartha said, words are meaningless- experience is more important. We also vow to see both sides of every situation, of every opinion and find the middle ground of both perspectives. We understand that while there exist 6Billion people on Earth, truly there only lives one. One person who takes the form of billions, with different faces, different voices, different cities, and different experiences. We are ONE PEOPLE ONE WORLD! This organization is here to make politics work for All people, to understand all people, and to better all people.

Guys, wouldn't this be awesome? A government that does not talk and only ACTS!

Is EVOLUTION the answer?

So I just got done reading the articles we had on the situation in Tibet.

One thing that I found interesting is the comparison between old conventional Tibetan Buddhist life and the quickly-modernizing atmosphere in which it now is a part of in the Tibetan government-in-exile in India.

The (2nd) article describes the slow, but sure, fading practice of Buddhism world-wide.

I then started to think about religion in general. My question is:

With the ever-evolving world that we live in- 21st century internet, video games, television, et cetera- is the practice of religion slowly deteriorating? Are there ways that religious leaders can make practicing religion more attractive, especially to OUR generation which seems to only do things that are attractive. I personally do not believe that going to a 2-hour long session is attractive.

Think of Siddhartha, his life is so slow and, as we agreed in class, he just lives in the moment, yet in all moments. He is thinker, and in many ways that is what religion is as well, thinking and committing one's self to a doctrine, or exploring different ones. I think that if all people just stopped to think, to reflect and to LIVE IN ALL MOMENTS, life would be better for everyone.

However, with the Western corporate, live-fast culture making its way quick across the rest of the globe, is there any hope for a Siddhartha-type society in the future?

The Wisdom of Indirection

One of the major themes in Siddhartha is "The Wisdom of Indirection." What do you think this means? How have you seen it so far in the story?

Long Live Equality!

I posted this on my other blog, but I feel that, on account of MLK day being close at hand, this was appropriate to share here.

This upcoming Monday will be Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day of celebration for all freedom fighters. Martin Luther King Jr. was a revolutionary. He didn't use guns, armies, guerrilla tactics, or anything of that nature. He used his voice, his vision, peace. He showed that the idea white people had of blacks in the first half of the 20th Century as violent and uneducated creatures was wrong. In fact, he proved that it was not blacks, but racist whites that could be the most creature-like.

        The Freedom rides were assaulted and some of the buses were destroyed. Protesters at sit-ins were attacked with hot food and coffee and sat silently and proudly. Members of white supremacist groups tarred and feathered, lynched, and burned black men. If anyone was the uneducated creature in those days, it wasn't the men and women fighting for their rights.

Long Live Equality!

Help Haiti

Below are a list of charities to help the people in Haiti who have been affected by the earthquake. The easiest way to help is: simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross.


Action Against Hunger
American Red Cross
American Jewish World Service
AmeriCares
Beyond Borders
CARE
Catholic Relief Services
Childcare Worldwide
Direct Relief International
Doctors Without Borders
Feed My Starving Children
Friends of WFP
Haitian Health Foundation
Hope for Haiti
International Medical Corps
International Relief Teams
Medical Teams International
Meds and Food for Kids
Mercy Corps
Operation USA
Oxfam
Partners in Health
Samaritan's Purse
Save the Children
UNICEF
World Concern
World Vision
Yele HaitiWyclef Jean's grassroots orgText Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 via your cellphone

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

In Friday's class we are going to start our reading of Siddhartha. It is a novella that can be referenced in many of the AP writing prompts. Also, it fits in with our study of various cultures this block. Here are some famous quotes from Siddhartha himself. What do you think? What philosphies or other writings do his beliefs remind you of?

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.
　
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.

What we think, we become.

Your Favorite Literary Quote

Today while you were reciting your favorite literary quotes, I noticed that your peers really liked your choices. Let's post them here so we can take a closer look. Although it's difficult, please only select one for now.

"We should have never come to America!!!"

I love the way you defined culture Lizeth Rodriguez(:, "Culture
the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving." Touche!

As many of you know, I was born in Zambia, Africa, I resided there until the age of 10. As you can imagine or maybe not, the culture in Zambia greatly differs from the American culture! Thus, when my family and I migrated from the United States, I experienced culture shock! Zambia and America are on opposite ends of the spectrum, they differ in values, beliefs, and attitudes.. In Zambia whenever you refer to a person older than you, you have to to add "BWA" at the beginning of their name, so it would be like, "BWA Melissa," and that's a sign of respect..Hence, I was in utter shock when I first moved here, [there was a white American family who helped us get settled] when Lynn and Sherry Bray wanted me to call them by their first name, in fact, I was extremely hesitant!

And then another instance is, I can recall when my Grandmother came to visit, the culture shock was even more for her because she's older and is set on traditions..So, I remember one day, it was a hot summer day and there's was a girl across from our house in her tiny bikini watching her car and my Grandmother screamed out, "ALICE! ALE NA CHINTANKO WANA KAZI!" Which translates as, "ALICE! THERE"S A NAKED GIRL!" I can recall trying to explain to my Grandmother that she wasn't naked, of course my Grandma just shook her head and looked at me angrily because to her it seemed like I was defending this naked girl who didn't have values, so I was just as bad as the naked girl...That was like a dagger to my heart of course.. The reason being, to my Grandmother it seemed like I was a sell out, as if I didn't have my Zambian values.. Yet, it is so much more complex than that..

The criticism I often receive from family members who say that I've become Americanized can at times be very painful..To them, "Americanized" is bad, Americanized means I am not respectful nor do I have any values, that I am an erratic soul..My parents, [I love them to death, they have a huge peace of my heart!] are guilty of this.. Whenever I mess up, they vehemently blame it on America, "We shouldn't have come to America, you guys wouldn't have turned out like this.." I've attempted to explain the struggle that I've had to endure and will have to endure for the rest of my life, yet, they do not understand..They do not understand because they came to America as adults with their culture already defined..But I was 10 when I came here, I was raised both in Zambia and in America..My parents expect me to only embrace my Zambian culture because that's what I am...Yet, I was raised here as well...I've always struggled to find the equilibrium between the two cultures, I feel that I cannot just abandon one for the other, because I wouldn't be complete. The struggle for equilibrium is frustrating at times, yet I wouldn't trade it for all the gold in the world, this is because, my two cultures have formed my identity! I feel grateful because my Zambian culture tells me to be hard-working, diligent, "to respect strength and not power," to be empathetic, and that happiness is truly free..Those values were imbued in me, each value was taught to me by the experiences of my Grandparents and parents..My American culture offers me myriads of opportunities that are not offered by Zambia.. It's not to say that, because you are American you are not hard working or diligent.. I am just saying that that's how it worked out for me! As I am struggling to find equilibrium, my Zambian and American culture are working together to make up my identity..I often wonder whether I will find equilibrium.. Or if there is such a thing..

So, I've got a question for those of you who are Hispanic or whatever, do you struggle to find the balance between your Hispanic culture and your American culture? Do you think you've achieved equilibrium? Do you think is exists at all?