Reflection on Romeo and Juliet Monologue Test

Today, I felt like I did not do as well as I'd hoped. A week before, I had thought that the monologue was due last monday, so I memorized it for that day. However, through out the week, I had forgotten to look at it again. So on Sunday night, I took out the monologue and reviewed it. The way I tried to memorize the monologue was split the monologue into groups of 5 lines each, and type it out again and again until I could type it out by heart, and then eventually, link up the whole monologue. So this morning, as other people were doing their 'test', I read along with them, but without the paper to prompt me. I realized that I could do it perfectly well when I was offstage. But when I got to the front of the classroom, it was like all that I have tried to memorize were just gone. I had a hard time remembering the lines that went next. I think next time how I could improve is by reciting it in front of a group of friends. Another mistake I made was that by practicing it by typing, I allow myself time to think and try to recall the lines. However, when I was in front of the class, I did not have this time, or else the lines would, as proven, not flow as well. So for next time, I would certainly practice it more in front of others.

Class Assignment - Quickwrite - Returning Home

If a person has been away from home for many years, his/her reaction may be one of joy. However, it would also depend on the circumstances. For example, if that person was home from fighting a war, that person would probably be happy to see his/her family again after a long time, and glad to be alive to come home. However, if the person came home after running away some years ago, that person would probably feel nervous upon the return. However, I do believe that one emotion always associated with returning home is 'relief'. Home is where someone belongs, and feels safe at. Everyone feels relieved when they go somewhere they feel safe about. In Odysseus's case, at first when he returns home, he was probably wary of all the suitors and the different situation within his own country. But as he is reunited with his wife, he feels joy, love, and relief to be home.

Difference Between The Odyssey Movie and Original Book- Cyclopes scene

Firstly, in the book, it had said that the Cyclops was carrying a load of dry boughs on his shoulder when he came in, however, in the movie, he was not carrying anything. In the book, as the story continues on, the Cyclops continues doing his chores until later when he lit the fire did he see the visitors, whereas in the movie, he immediately notices Odysseus and him men in his cave. In the book, Odysseus explains that they were from the battle of Troy and introduced which kingdom they were from, whereas in the movie, only the Cyclops introduced himself. In the book, Odysseus and his men waited until the next night to stab the Cyclops, and used the time in-between when the Cyclops was out to sharpen the mast. In the movie, Odysseus and his men fed him the wine first, then, on the same first day, stabbed him. In the book Odysseus gave him the wine the next day, which caused him to sleep, and then he used this opportunity to stab him. Then, the Cyclops calls for his brothers, who reply to his calls, whereas in the movie, the brothers do not reply anything. In the book, the men then tie themselves onto the sheep and wait until morning to escape, using the sheep as cover. In the movie, however, the Cyclops immediately rolls away the rock, and the men just slip by his feet, with the exception of one who covers himself with sheep skin. In the book, everyone who survived up until then doesn't die during the escape, whereas in the movie, the man who played the flute died. In the book, the men then take the sheep with them, whereas in the movie,  they just leave, and taunt Poseidon on the way (in the book Odysseus just calls out to taunt Polyphemus himself). Also, in the book, the story of the Cyclops ends at night, where Polyphemus "stretched his hands out in his darkness toward the sky of stars", and in the movie, it is seen as daylight.

Class Assignment - Quickwrite - The Odyssey, A Hero

A hero is someone who is willing to sacrifice himself in order to achieve good for others. Normally, heroes possess qualities that make them an example to others to follow, such as by teaching a moral lesson, or shows specific characteristics. However, although this is the 'default' definition of heroes, there are many 'heroes' that have proven otherwise. For example, there are heroes that boast of their powers and achievements, which is not exactly the best moral lesson to teach children. Moreover, although heroes are normally portrayed in myths and legends to appear 'out of the world', there are many everyday heroes. For example, many consider Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. a hero, since they both stood up for their own people and defied the prejudiced public. I think heroes should  be brave, selfless, and humble. The two traits, brave and selfless, are quite universal. However, humble is not necessarily universal. For example, many Greek heroes boast of their achievements and abilities (which many times arouse the anger of the gods, unfortunately).

Organization Hoax - Berlin's Cannibalistic Restaurant

About a year and a half ago, the website for 'Flime' mentions the opening of a new restaurant. On the website, shockingly, there was a plea for consumers around to donate a part of their body for their 'upcoming menu' and offering to pay for the cost for any hospital costs. They also ask for any 'open-minded' surgeon. The restaurant cites its inspiration from an indigenous Brazilian tribe called Waricaca, which is a tribe engaged in cannibalism, often believing that eating the human parts of a dead friend or family shows a connection between the living and the dead and helps with the mourning. They even named a couple of dishes they were to serve at the upcoming-restaurant. Obviously, this organization and restaurant received countless criticism and public outcry on the disgustingness and outrage on the promotion of cannibalism. Moreover, this had coincided with the recent event of cannibalism in Germany whereby a technician had been eaten by a self-confessed cannibal. However, on the day the restaurant was due to open, the website admitted that it was a hoax. It was an attempt by a German Vegetarian organization to raise awareness about eating meat, and its parallelism with eating human flesh. They use the line: "Every piece of meat is a piece of mankind" to emphasize their point. Although this was only a means of raising awareness, Flime had attracted much criticism for this method being inappropriate. Many critics and government officials had stated that the publicity they got for the 'cannibalism' far out-weighed their attempt to raise awareness about vegetarianism. I think this was a good comparison between eating meat and eating human flesh. On the other hand, although they had made a good point, I don't think that they should have used this as a way to raise awareness, particularly since there is actually a little cannibalism going around Germany, so they shouldn't have left it out in the open like they are promoting it. But also because of this event, German police are now taking a little more time to investigate underground cannibalism that is going around Germany.

Class Assignment - Quickwrite - Appearances Can Be Deceiving

A lot of times, people are misled by the way others look. For example, when I was in Belgium, because I looked asian, most westerners directly assumed that I was Japanese, so would try to greet me in Japanese. Personally, I have many times assumed that a movie is bad just by watching the trailer. The same could be said about the saying: Don't judge a book by its cover. Many times the books appearance may be misleading. Though for me I'm not necessarily affected by the book's cover, most times I judge by the length of the book. Thicker books may put off people easier. However, I have discovered that the lengths of books don't make it slow or boring. For example, the "Chaos Walking" trilogy are three very thick books, however, the pace of the book moves very fast and there is almost always a twist at the end of every chapter. Other things that might be misleading to people is the appearance of someone. For example, if someone wore glasses and carried around a big bag full of books, the first impression people get of the person is that perhaps he is a nerd. They might not know that maybe he was born with near-sightedness, and was just carrying the books for his friend. People are often misled by their first impression. The modern mind is shaped by the media, and what we are taught. Through television and books, we are taught different stereotypes that are imprinted inside our heads, thus, giving us the image of the 'nerd'. Also, past experience may shape our way of thinking. Someone who has been through a hard life will definitely get different first impressions than those that have led a good life. But these first impressions are given to us through 'first glances', when we don't know fully well about the person or thing. In order to break this 'first impression', we must try to get to know the person or thing better. Often, people are surprised to see that their first thought of the person or thing is wrong. So we must learn not to make judgements too quickly, and to, instead, keep an open-mind until we know the person or thing fully.

Class Assignment - Quickwrite - "American History" Historical Moments

I remember two historical moments that really had profound effects on me. The first one was the volcanic eruption in Iceland, and the second one was the marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton. Although these are not political historical events, they have both taught me a lesson. As it happens, both happened while I was in Europe. During the time of the volcanic eruption, a lot of people in my school were on break. I remember on the day of the eruption, our television didn't really work. We used satellite TV at the time, so there was something in the air that affected the satellite. I checked the news on the internet, and found out that a volcano had erupted in Iceland. At first I didn't think it was much of a big deal, however, after a few days, I saw that there was actually a lot of effect. For example, normally, outside my house, I can see the airplanes take off everyday behind the hills. However, those days, I remember it being really quiet, without any airplanes at all. This obviously had a big effect on a lot of people. There were friends of mine stranded all across the world. I had a friend in Florida, another in Estonia, and another somewhere in Asia. At school, we made a map showing where everyone in the school was stranded at. Also, one of my mom's friends had to stay over at our house because her flight was cancelled. I remember then that one day (it happened to be a school trip day at the beach), I looked up to the sky, and I saw the first of the airplanes take off. It was really a surprise to me after a couple of weeks of not seeing airplanes at all. This event made me realize how puny humans really are. A volcanic eruption was enough to strand people all across the world. Imagine what would happen if a bigger volcano erupted!

The other event, the royal wedding, was obviously a big deal in my school, because we were a British school. Weeks leading up to the wedding, almost every single news channel was playing something about the story of Kate Middleton and Prince William. I now know the story of the two off by heart; I knew the exact process of their relationship, their ups and downs, etc. It is actually quite maddening. However, this joyous event also brought to light topics of anti-monarchy. On the internet, not only could I find news of the wedding, but also a lot of news of protests going on about the British government and royal family. For geography class, we had to write an essay about a specific topic of the royal wedding. I chose to write about the anti-monarchy topic. I think a lot of their arguments made sense. Why should people have to pay so much tax just to pay for the Queen to wear a different designer dress every time in public? A lot of people argue that it is a waste of money that the hard-working citizens are making, while the pro-monarchists defend by saying that it is a proud tradition. Many think it is an old-fashioned way of thinking that has to go. It is only bringing the British economy down and is pretty useless. Through the event, I learned a lot about what different people thought of the topic of the royal wedding. I am glad to have been here to experience such a grandiose event. Throughout the day of the wedding, the live BBC footage was playing in the auditorium, and I remember our science teacher showing us the live clip on his computer. Most of the girls were just looking out for Kate Middleton's dress.