Julia's Blog

Dylan: Research Post  Katie: Research Post 

      My topic for the research project is on the factors which contributed to the severity of the Bubonic Plague in Western Europe in the Middle Ages. It is interesting because it was the worst epidemic disease in history. In my project I chose to focus in on three factors: cultural differences, lack of medical knowledge, and famine. These three factors greatly contributed to the severity of the plague.       Something I found very intriguing about the plague was that it wiped out nearly half of Western Europe's population. It started off in Messina and quickly spread throughout Europe. Families abandoned each other to save themselves from contracting the plague. People pretty much left loved ones, friends, and patients to die. Overall, the Bubonic Plague was a horrible epidemic in the years 1347-1351.

       ATDPTI is an interesting book so far. Junior is a one of a kind character who is very unfiltered. Rowdy, Junior's best friend, has a completely opposite personality than Junior. This is a great example of opposites attract because you would never guess that these two characters are inseparable.        I find the Indian Reservation a very unique place. This book definitely gives a great insight onto how life on the Rez is. It is nowhere near perfect, but the people who live on it make the best of their life on it. I am excited to keep reading and see how Junior makes the best of his life on the Indian Rez.

Thomas: Free Post: Snow Days Peyton: New Semester Reflection 

Emma: Free Post Robert: New Semester 

     I was very excited for the MLK three-day weekend after being back for a week from Christmas break. I could not wait to sleep in and hang out with friends. For the three-day weekend, two of my friends from camp came in to visit. One of them is from Mississippi and the other is from Dallas, so we don't get the chance to see each other often. We spent the first day in Baton Rouge and hung out here; then the next two days we went to New Orleans. New Orleans was so much fun because neither of them had been before, so it was interesting to show them around and eat and shop.     Then, I was so happy when school got cancelled for two days because of the snow. It was awesome to have two extra days of break. Although I spent most of it doing ECLs, I made time to rest and hang out with friends. Overall, this break was super fun and well-needed.

      So far, my research project has been going pretty good. The hardest part for me was finding the sources. I spent forever on databases trying to find the perfect sources that would support my research the best. I am doing mine on Bubonic Plague, so it was not that there were not enough sources but almost too many. I felt as if all of them would go great with backing up my context. I finally just decided to pick two for each of my topics within my research question.      However, after I found all my sources everything seemed to be easier. Although the annotated bibliography took a while to get motivated to do, once I started it breezed by. Hopefully being confident with my sources the rest of the project will be non-stressful and easier!

Gregory: Describe what utopia would look like and why.      My utopia would for sure be tropical. Preferably, the beach because of the excitingness, adventure, and calmness. The h ouses, shops, restaurants, and schools would all be in the same area and you could walk or bike everywhere. One thing that would be a nesscity is unlimited things to do. The excitingness would never become blah and the adventure wouldn't end.        The people in my utopia would all know each other and all be super close. The weather would always be sunny and a good temperature.  It would never snow or get cold. Overall, my utopia would be a place where it is the perfect mix of fun and adventure and relaxing. 

          In the first semester, I began by not efficiently using my study hall and tutorial. I would just treat those both as long breaks. I quickly learned though that study halls and tutorials really help out. Tutorial is a great time for me to go see teachers to get help and ask questions. And if I do my work in study hall then I don't have as much when I get home.          Also, I learned how much quarter grades matter. Even though, they don't go anywhere and are just progress reports they matter when exams roll around. Doing the little stuff like homework and participation up my quarter grades and then exams won't be as stressful. Overall, this semester I will take the things I learned from the fall semester and apply them for a non stressful and efficient semester.