Second Quarter Independent Reading Reflection

This quarter, I read and completed 4 books. All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell, The Color of Water by James McBride, The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell and lastly, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Compared to last quarter, I have really picked up the pace on my reading. I completed 2 more books than I did last year that were longer and I feel were more challenging reads. The hardest book I read this quarter was probably Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. It's written in a way I hadn't experienced before and was definitely hard to get used to at first.. But I think this quarter I read more challenging books that were different and new for me. I chose these types of books because I wanted to try something new in my independent reading. The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell was the most interesting but certainly the best book I read this quarter. I liked how each chapter was written in the perspective of a different character. The storyline I thought was very intense but it kept me engaged from cover to cover. Just from the reading I've gotten done this semester, I've realized the I enjoy more intense stories where a lot is going on at once. It keeps me engaged and helps me not to get bored while reading the story.

Last semester, my goals were to read at least 2-3 books that were out of my comfort zone and to also read at least one book that could be considered "spiritual reading". This quarter, I did meet my first goal of reading at least 2-3 books that were different for me. I ended up reading 4 books instead of 3, all of which were either a different genre or were written in a certain way I had never experienced before. By doin this, I think I expanded my reading preferences and for the third quarter will consider trying even more that could be considered out of my comfort zone. My second goal on the other hand, I do not think I met. Beween all 4 books, I do not believe any of them took me to that "deeper place" and this is somethjing else I will also consider doing for the third quarter.

GOALS:
-I want to read 6 books third quarter to really challenge myself with my reading
-I would like to try a romance books because I usually don't read books like that

Theater Now Open!

Brand new theater is now open! After just recently being built and finished in 1599, the globe theater is ready for Shakespeare's written plays to be performed. Located along the banks on London's River Thames, this large, open-aired theater is the ideal location for a performance. It seats up to 3,000 spectators in it's 100 foot diameter so that all of London can come to enjoy the shows. At the base of the stage, there's an area called "the pit" where you only have to pay a penny to stand and watch a play. For another penny, you could be seated right along the benches by the pit. At three pennies cost, you are given a cushion to sit on. The most expensive seats are located in the "Lord's Rooms" with a cost of six pence. Color coded flags are put up to inform you what type of play will be showing.

Red- History play

White- Comedy play

Black- Tragedy play

ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE INVITED!

Those of you who would like to be in the plays can audition. MEN ONLY. No women are permitted legally to perform in any of the globe theater productions. The acting profession is not credible and is unthinkable that any woman would appear in a play. Female roles will be given to men between the ages 13 and 19 who's voices are still high and muscles are not yet fully developed.

 

 

 

www.shakespearesglobe.com/uploads/files/2014/01/audiences.pdf

www.bardstage.org/globe-theatre-female-roles.htm

www.nosweatshakespeare.com/reasources/shakepeares-theaters/shakpeare-globe-facts/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Picture This 

In Angela's Ashes, Frank (the main character) is constantly asking his parents questions. Since he's a little kid and isn't very educated, he's very curious about a lot of things that go on or about something his parents may say. As shown in my symbol, Frank is depicted in the bottom left corner with many questions on his mind. His parents are depicted in the top right hand corner with the response he always gets when he asks them something. "Just go play outside Frank." 

"There's no use asking more questions. If you ask a question they tell you it's a mystery, you'll understand when you grow up, be a good boy, ask your mother, ask your father, for the love o'Jesus leave me alone, go out and play. (McCourt 133)" 

This quote clearly goes along with my symbol because of what's going on in both. Frank is always asking questions but never gets an answer to them. So he feels as though there is no point in asking them anything anymore. I think this will be an important detail that leads to the message of the story because it's brought up a lot throughout the book. 

she is not made of roses

flowers do not bloom in her presence,

nor do they bloom in the deep crevices

of her mind.

she isn't made of roses

but of fragile skin

and thin bones.

she isn't made of roses

but is intricately woven of wary eyes

and tight smiles.

she is not made of roses,

but that's okay,

because they never liked roses

anyway.

 

 

 

 

Humans are weird, aren't we? Music can either soothe us or ignite us, some of us like painting out our desires on worthless pieces of paper, but make millions off of it. We find value in the most empty things, we create our own philosophies and wonder how we made it. We ponder the inevitable and wonder the extremes. But we function, don't we? I guess there's always a little bit of beauty among the ruin.

 

 

I chose these two pieces mainly because on the days that I wrote them, the words just came freely. I didn't really have to think about it with either of them at all. After writing them it kinda shocked me because I've never really considered my writing very good but I thought these were some of the best pieces I've written.

Independent Reading Reflection

 

 

This quarter I finished 1 book almost 2 books both of them very long. The first book was around 400 pages and the second around 500. I was able to understand majority of the first one and so far some of the second. For the second quarter, I'd like to read at least 2-3 books one of them being a different genre than I usually read and the other could be anything else. Also, I'd like to read at least one book that could be considered as "spiritual reading." None of the reading I did this quarter could be considered as spiritual reading because In wasn't taken to that "deeper place" while reading either of my books. This is because since it was the first quarter, I was just trying to get some reading in to start off the school year and I didn't really consider reading something with a deeper meaning. But for the second quarter, I would certainly like to pick up pace on my reading and make it more meaningful to me. 

Anxiety's Hold

Even the greatest moments, calmest actions, most peaceful energy, would be unable to tear it off once it sticks
it winds you up for everything and causes one to just pace instead
Eyes get dizzy from observation of another's and can assimilate the same hold
Tension continues to escalate and bottling it up only makes the explosion imminent
No one likes it
Some look to escape through things that actually increase it
An insanity I've dealt with and still resisting
Depravity of vice while the resuscitation of life simultaneously reacts from one thought and act of will
It's hell to deal with
I think the void between two lives would be more difficult than this
At least then you could be fascinated by the new journey
Than to continue the same and battle the duality of choosing a side
Or dealing with human ordeals such as quitting smoking or relationships
Decisions can create a hold on you, but when it's out of nowhere....
The confusion continues the hold

Shane Engisch

 

 

The theme of my narrative is most certainly not to let your struggles consume you. Which in my case, is anxiety. Within the narrative I talk about finding new ways to relax myself & finding things that make me feel less stressed out.  Also, just for me to remember that I'm stronger than this. Anxiety is tough and just as hard to help as it is to deal with. But, I think that accepting our struggles as part of what makes us up is an important step to getting through it. Now, not everything will be perfect but in the end it's all worth the fight you put up to make yourself feel better.


The theme of this poem on the other hand is that anxiety is hard to cope with but it's not impossible to deal with. Throughout the poem it does do a good job of expressing in a way what it's like. But, it never says anything about giving up or the wanting to give up which gives the piece a sense of hope in a way. "An insanity I've dealt with and still resisting." This line shows that the author is trying hard to resist his anxiousness no matter what and I think, that is important.

"No one else is dealing with your demons, meaning maybe defeating them, could be the beginning of your meaning, friend."

-Twenty One Pilots

 

This quote comes from my favorite song by the best band in the world (aka twenty one pilots.) The song is called kitchen sink and the first time I heard it, it really spoke to me. The most powerful part of the song, I think, is when Tyler Joseph (the band leader) sings this,

"Are you searching for a purpose?

Then write something, yeah it might be

worthless

Then paint something, yeah it might be

wordless

pointless curses, nonsense verses

You'll see purpose start to surface

No one else is dealing with your demons

Meaning maybe defeating them

Could be the beginning of your meaning,

friend."

Now, this relates to me because after going through some things, hearing this song really inspired to me find myself and to become a better person. After getting help, I realized how true this quote is. Overcoming your "demons" or your life struggles really does make you feel like a stronger/better person and allows you to realize your self worth too. I'm not saying this fixes everything, but it does give you a good start off on the right path for yourself which is a good thing. Now going through some things and being stronger gives me a good reason to help others overcome what they're going through too. In doing that, it makes me feel like I mean something to others and also allows them to find their meaning too.