Metro Meet

            As most of you know I run on the cross country team. We have been training since the beginning of the summer for the season. Today was the JV's last competing meet. It was sad to know that this was the end of the season, but it was relieving to know that we had finished strong. I ran in the open race today and ran the two mile course. It was challenging, as always, but was fun since it was our last meet. I ran hard and finished the two miles in 20:18 (twenty minutes and eighteen seconds). For me that was a PR (a personal record)! 

            I ran and ran and ran until I felt as though I couldn't move my feet anymore. But then I saw the finish line. I looked toward the line and ran as hard as my feet would muster, breathing hard, in and out. The finish was so close to my reach and was only a quarter of a mile awake. You will finish strong I continued to think as I raced to the finish. Finally I crossed the line and felt amazing, I had finished my last race of the season with a bang. I am now ready to go to the state meet to cheer on my teammates in their race to the finish. 

Island Captive Meeting

           Looking back at the simulation that we ran in class, I thought that we handled the situation pretty productively and in a sophisticated way. We were very well organized and thought the whole process of survival through. In this real life situation I think we would have handled it the same way. We would have sat down and thought about what we would do as a group and what was needed to survive. Then we would split up and would acquire or create the things necessary for survival. Although, there would be a ton of panic reactions in real life. But, overall I think we would organize and plan a way to survive and get off the Island with ease.
            However,  there would be some problems with our plan. People would argue who would get authority and who would make the major decisions for the group. Also some people might argue about their role in survival, such as disliking their position. Finally there would be many psychological problems with being stranded on an island. Some people might lose their temper and go on a rampage, or some might just lose themselves completely and forget who they are. These problems could eventually be overcome however with just a little help from organization.

Reading Log:
Lord of the Flies by William Golding - 42 minutes (in class) 15 minutes (outside of class)
Writing Center Appointment for Literary Analysis on November 6th at tutorial - 30 minutes
Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 47 minutes

Total: 134 minutes

Reading Log

"A Worn Path" written by Eudora Welty (reread about 3 times throughout the week and weekend) :  75 minutes
Insurgent Free reading : 55 minutes
Literary Analysis Work TIme : 60 minutes
Total : 190, or 3 hours and 10 minutes

Divergent Trailer

             The divergent trailer came out this past week following the release of Allegiant. I was walking into the movies and was about to give the man my ticket when I saw it. It was two different movie posters, one with Tris and her 3 black sparrow tattoos, and the other Four's back which showed the river of tattoos that flowed down his back. I immediately stopped and stared. I was shocked. I had been waiting for this moment for a long time. I then immediately took out my phone and pulled up youtube. I typed in divergent and the first thing that popped up was divergent trailer. My eyes lit up as I clicked the search button. 

             I then saw a video titled Divergent Trailer release and quickly clicked on it. My eyes were glued on the screen as the loading circle turned round and round. Then it finally showed. The trailer began. Even though it was only an introduction I felt like I was watching the actual movie. It was over before I knew it and I flashed back into reality. Even though it was only a one minute and sixteen second trailer, it had made my night. I am now extremely excited for the movie to come out and will be at the midnight premier on March 21st 2014. 

Reading Response

           Out of the three short stories that I read, I think "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty is the most reliable. I think the idea of the worn path that she knew so well is something I could look at more closely to see if I can catch anything different or a deeper meaning. I also think I could interpret the idea of some stereotyping  remarks that were inflicted on Phoenix. Such as being called granny and grandma throughout the story. Were these comments meant to hurt, or meant to show respect?
           Another story I read was "Araby" by James Joyce. This story comes in second in my reliability. It could be useful in the idea of this powerful love that this boy felt for this girl who he barley knew. However, it doesn't have a lot of things that I could interpret to match a thesis that I would make. The only evidence that I could take would be the little signs of affection that he showed every now and then, but beyond that I feel like I would just be stating facts.
          The last story that I read was "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty. This story would be my last choice for my literary analysis. It is just too vague and doesn't have any deep meanings that I could pull from it. It is so short and frankly I didn't find any importance or significance that stood out to me in the story. I would rather use a short story that I can dig into to write an analysis on.

Log:
"Araby" : 37 minutes
"The Sniper" : 23 minutes
"A Worn Path" : 53 minutes
Insurgent : 50 minutes

Total: 163 minutes

Reading Log + Personal Questions

Log:
    Insurgent:
         10/9 - 30 minutes
         10/12 -  45 minutes
         Total: Pages 270-340 = 175 minutes

    Short Story Work- 45 Minutes

    Total number of minutes: 120


Personal Questions:
In what genre of writing do I most excel in?
Can my mood affect my writing, either positively or negatively? & Can I use my mood to my advantage?
In what area am I most focused in when writing?

Reading Log

Reading Log:

      "Waltz Of The Fat Man" - 45 minutes (took time annotating in color-coated form)

      "From Clay We Are Created"- 55 minutes

      " Girls in their Summer Dresses" - 30 minutes

Total: 130 minutes