Julia's Blog

Thomas A: My Weekend  Katie: Hibiscus Response

      In Purple Hibiscus , I am focusing on socio-economic problems in Nigeria and the similarities and differences to American life. These problems are evident through Kambili's personal family life, extended family, and in her school. Kambili lives a very privileged life compared to other Nigerians. This is a great thing because she has a home and attends an elite school, but her family life and their wealth puts a burden on her. The other girls at school judge her. Kambili doesn't get the chance to make friends and be social because of her intimidating and controlling dad. I believe that these problems are caused by her dad who is controlled by wealth, therefore controls others.       Another analysis I have made in this book is the author, Chimamanda Adichie's, use of sensory details, imagery, and personification. For example, she uses imagery on page 71 when Kambili is describing evening time as "when the orange trees started to cast long, wavy shadows across the

Its always a struggle to complete homework,  study for that big test, and get up so early.  Break is right around the corner and everyone is eager to get out.  The missing homework grades lurk,  grades are done unclearly  everyone is a mourner.  Summer seems oh so far out. 

Nick: Umbrella Song  Grace S: Garden Poem

Cool nights and warm days Laying out and catching rays By the pool or beachside No complaints when outside Swimming in the sea Always being carefree No worries or stress Just every day being the best The smell of sunscreen and saltwater lingering As the moon and stars start twinkling Starting the next day just the same As the night begins  to fade away I used end rhyme, euphony with some cacophony, and imagery.

       I chose to analyze the song, Umbrella, by Jay-Z and Rihanna. These two artists used specific techniques in making the song flow and make sense. This song consists of rhymes in every stanza. There isn't a lot of internal rhyme, but most are end rhymes. For example, in this part:  Maybe in magazines, but you'll still be my star Baby 'cause in the dark, you can't see shiny cars And that's when you need me there With you, I'll always share Because when the sun shines, we'll shine together Told you I'll be here forever The last word in each line rhymes with the last word in the next line. This occurs in pairs of two.           Another poetic device Rihanna uses is repetition. She repeats the second syllable in umbrella multiple times.  Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh eh, eh eh) The goal in this technique was to have the specific syllable stick out in the song.          Overal

Zoe: Yearbook Emma: Launch Day 

     The presentation that stuck with me the most was Mary Caroline's thesis about dreams. It was really interesting to me how she connected sleep, stress, and school and how all of those relate to each other. They all play a role in a continuous cycle of school which causes stress, which then leads to reduced sleep. Also, she connected how stress influences your dreams which affects your sleep pattern. This point really interested me and I was so shocked by that because I would've never guessed that our dreams can be affected by stress.      I was kind of confused what launch day was going into it. I had always heard people talking about how awesome it was, but never really fully understood it. I was taken by surprise because it was so much fun. All of the presentations were very interesting and exciting. It is so cool to me how those people spent two years working on their thesis and then present it to the whole school over the course of one day. The breaks were also super f

       One of my favorite pastimes is probably going to Woodville, Mississippi with my dad. We never really get the chance to just because I am normally busy on the weekends with plans or schoolwork. My dad loves it up there just because he can do guy stuff he can't do in BR, like ride around on the Polaris, shoot things, and set up cameras to track deer and animals. Also, he really loves it when me or my sister, Emily, can go and help him around the camp. My mom normally skips out though, just because there isn't much for her to do there.        Its awesome there because it is totally different than BR. There's nothing you can do like that here, so its a great escape just 2 hours away. Sometimes, my dad will let me drive there since I have my permit. I never get the chance to practice driving on school days, so it is a good drive to do so. :) I think going to Woodville is fun for us because we get to leave home for just a day or a couple days and be outdoors.