Archive for February, 2008

Inventory of speaking, listening and viewing

Wednesday, February 27, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

1. How well do I listen in school?

In school, in every class I listen and pay attention, even though I’m doing another thing. When teachers talk, talk and talk, most of the time I find something to do; like looking for the homework for the next day or doing it. Even though I’m doing something with my hands, I always listen to what the teacher is saying because maybe it is something that will help me for the test or is an interesting conversation.

 2. How much do I learn by listening?

Listening is better than studying. Every time that I listen the explanations that teachers give, I don’t have to study at home, just reread the information. Listening is a better way to study, because it will stay in my mind forever not just for the exam.

 3. Do I listen carefully to what my friends say?

I really like to listen to what my friends say. I like to give them advices and most of the times, I like to feel what they are feeling, so I can understand them. I like to listen my friends as they listen me, listening is the clue for a relationship, because in that way you can know what are the feeling of them and what they think. Listening is also a distraction of my life and is an advice from my friends, because it shows me situations of life.

 4. What do I learn from them?Most of the time that my friends talk me, what I learn is an advice for my life, because I learn from their situations. I also learn that everybody has problems or happy situations, as I do. My life is full of fee 5. When is it difficult for me to listen?

Sometimes my mind is focused on other thoughts, most of the times it happens when I have I fight with a friend, boy friend or someone of my family.

 6. What makes it difficult?

That when I’m having a fight with someone else, my mind cannot focus on the class because in that moment I give more importance to my life than to the class.

 7. What kind of music do I listen to?

The music I listen is: pop, R&B, and sometimes reggaeton.

 8. Why do I like them?

I like pop because it makes me pay attention to the lyrics of the song and also I like the rhythms. I like R&B because I like the rhythms and those rhythms makes me happy. Reggaeton is good for parties or for social reunions, like a meeting with my friends, because of the rhythms.

 9. What TV shows and movies are my favorites?The TV shows I like are: Gossip Girl, How I met your mother, back to you

My favorite movies are: Just like heaven, sweet home Alabama, Music and Lyrics, something’s gotta give, the holiday.

 10. What do I like about them?I like to watch these TV shows because the first is interesting because it’s a total intrigue, the other is funny and it’s a total comedy and the last one is sweet and intriguing.

These movies are my favorites because are romantic comedies; they are the ideal way of love and in some way are funny because is something that won’t happen in the real world.

 11. What else do I like to see and watch?Well, I like to see are some reality shows of news shows, or just see the news. 12. What is special about these?

I like to be aware of what is happening in the world, a little bit of politics, a little bit of celebrities, well, a little bit of everything that is happening in the world.

 13. How do I feel about speaking to friends?

I feel really good because my friends are those who give me confidence, so I trust them. Talking to my friends is special because I express myself and sometimes I receive advices that help me in my life, but most of all what I like to receive is comprehension.

 14. What do I like to talk them about?

I like to talk them about my life, sometimes they are really helpful, because when I have a problem I can take those feelings out and sometimes I cry. I also like to talk them about any thought that I have in my mind, even though it is a joke or an irrelevant thing.

 15. How do I feel about talking to adults?

Depending who is, because if he or she is somebody of my family, well, there exists some confidence that makes me feel secure. When is somebody that I don’t really know, well, I try to talk but is difficult, but after some words, I starting feeling comfortable, so then I can talk him/her about anything.

 16. Why do I feel this way?

About a stranger that I met at that moment I feel this way because is really difficult to find a theme that I can talk with somebody that I don’t know, but after we find a theme, it becomes easier for me to talk and shame my thoughts and feelings.

 17. How do I feel about reciting or speaking to the class?

I DON’T like to recite or speak in front of my classmates; I start to tremble because of my nerves.

 18. Why do I feel this way?

My nerves makes me feel uncomfortable, because I think that my classmates intimidate me, and also I start thinking about “what they are going to say about me, or about my speech”

 19. Have I given any speeches or been in any plays?

I have given speeches, but as I said, my nerves dominate my body and my speaking. I like plays and I have been in plays, these make me feel nervous but not as speeches does because plays are things that I have practiced many times before and I’m sure of what I’m doing and saying.

 20. How did I or would I like doing this?

I like plays because I have fun and make me feel comfortable, but I don’t like speeches because make me feel uncomfortable, but I know that I work on that in an easy way.

 21. What is the most difficult thing about speaking?

The most difficult thing about speaking is that I think and rethink what I’m going to say.

 22. Why is it difficult? It is difficult because I have to think the things once and then say them, but I think that it is part of insecurity.

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Reasons why do people lie

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

From a very early age, I can remember how telling the truth was an important value in my family. I learned that I was more likely to get into trouble for wrong-doing if I lied about it.

There are many different reasons why people lie, so I can’t even begin to explain why all people lie. I can make some suggestions, based upon my own observations. I don’t believe that all people who tell lies are inherently “bad” or that they intend harm when lying, but I also don’t believe that everyone who tells a lie is doing it to keep from hurting someone or doing it out of fear. There are compulsive liars out there, and those who tell lies with malicious intent. The problem is trying to figure out if the person you’re dealing with falls into one of these categories or not. There is no hope for communicating with a person who is a compulsive liar or who tells lies with the intention of hurting another. Realizing that you can’t change someone or make them change, is another step about dealing with someone who lies.

People also lie because they don’t believe they are good enough. It’s an insecurity and it starts in childhood. When a child is looking for attention from his parent, and doesn’t receive it, he then resorts to trying to impress. He feels that by exaggerating his story he will be more acceptable, more lovable, if his story is bigger and better than it really is.

Some people also lie to themselves and they don’t do it intentionally, they just tell a lie and keep repeating it to everyone until they eventually believe it!! Don’t wonder how this happens, the subconscious mind can be programmed by repetition, that’s why those people succeed in believing themselves when they repeat the story over and over.

One lie leads to another, then another, and as time goes by the lies begin to change, lacking consistency. Before you know it the whole thing blows up in your face anyway. Some lying people never learn their lesson. Some liars do. Seriously, what does anybody gain from lies.

In conclusion, lying is always a form of control. Some people are pathological liars, having learned that they get a rush from manipulating others with lies. But most people lie when they are afraid of the consequences of telling the truth. Lying may be one end of a relationship system, with anger and judgment on the other end. Whether the relationship is a primary one between mates or between parents and children, or a relationship between friends or between co-workers, lying may be a part of it when fear of anger and judgment is an issue. Most people do not know how to handle another’s anger and judgment and may revert to being the child they were when they learned to lie to their parents to avoid punishment. 

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Test Review

Monday, February 18, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

1. Beowulf

 Beowulf (was a Geat, son of Edgetho, king of the Geats) was from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark in a quest to rescue King Hrothgar (who was king of Danes, builder of Herot) from the demoniac monster Grendel. He arrives to Denmark and is directed to Herot (golden huest-hall which was decorated with the antlers of stags; its name means hart hall), the mead-hall of King Hrothgar. The king sends Wulfgar; one of his thanes (or feudal lords), to greet the visitors. The feast ends. Beowulf and his men take the place of Hrothgar’s followers and lie down to sleep in Herot. Beowulf, is wakeful, eager to meet his enemy.Carrying the sword, Beowulf goes to the lake where Grendel’s mother has her underwater lair. Then, armed, he makes a heroic dive to the depths of this watery hell. Beowulf carries Grendel’s head to King Hrothgar and then return to the land of the Geats. Years later Beowulf faces his final task: He had to fight a dragon that, angry because a thief had stolen a jeweled cup from the dragon’s hoard of gold. Beowulf and 11 warriors are guided to the dragon’s lair by the thief who stole the cup. Together, Beowulf and Wiglaf kill the dragon, but Beowulf is fatally wounded. Wiglaf finds a priceless hoard of jewels and gold in the dragon’s cave. The Geats then cremate the corpse of their greatest king, and placed the ashes along the dragon’s treasure, in a huge burial tower by the sea, where it can be seen by voyagers. 

Characters:

Beowulf: hero; king of the Geats.

 Brecca: beowulf´s friend.

Grendel: monster.

Herot: hall.

Hrothgar: king of the Danes.

Unferth: skilled warrior, one of Hrothgar´s courtiers.

Welthow: Hrothgar´s wife.

Wiglaf: Geat warrior; the only one that comes back to help Beowulf in his last battle.

2. The Head of Humbaba

Gilgamesh fights Humbaba, an evil giant. Humbaba, at first bothered Enkidu, Gilgamesh friend, and he bothered him that he almost killed him. After a while, Gilgamesh wanted to kill Humbaba, but Humbaba asked him for forgiveness and tells him that he will serve him as he has served the Gods, as he served Shamash (the sun god). Enkidu is not secure with the company of Humbaba, so Giglamesh killed Humaba because of his friend. 

3. The Seafarer

It is a story about a man who lives in the sea and likes his life. Every time he went to land he did not felt it as home, so he went back to the sea. He liked that silent and dark world, full of a different adventure. The old sailor enjoyed that life and it was the most normal thing for him.

4. Lord Randall

Lord Randall is a ballad that tells a story that expresses foreshadowing, because this man goes home and the only thing that he told to his mother is that he is tired and wants to sleep. He said that he had dinner with his true love and ate boiled eels and that his gods are dead. He had been poisoned, just as his dogs, so he goes to sleep and dies.

5. Edward, Edward

A ballad that is a conversation between a mother and her son. Her mother asked him what was wrong, so he told her that he killed his hawk, then he killed his horse, but then he told her the truth, that he killed his father. At the end the mother asked him what he was going to do, so he told her that he would sail away. Her mother asked him what he was going to leave her, so he answer that that he was not going to leave something, neither for her; he got mad with her, just like she was the guilty of the situation.

6. Get Up and Bar the Door

Story that takes place around November 11, Martinmas, which was celebrated with a sumptuous meal. Before the celebration, a husband and wife were cooking and tired. Neither the wife nor the husband wanted to bar the door. They made a pact, and it was that the first who speaks had to go and bar the door, but some robbers came in. One of the robbers said that he was going to kiss the wife, so the husband said that he was not going to permit that. In that moment the wife told him that he was the one who spoke first so he had to bar the door.

 7. The Canterbury Tales (Prologue)

Characters:

The knight: distinguished man that follows chivalry, honor, truth, courtesy, and generousness. He is wise and modest.

The Squire: son of the knight. He is joyful, agile, and wears colorful clothing.

The Yeoman: servant that wears a green hood. His head is like a nut and he is a good woodcrafter.

The Prioress Nun: saint person, sensitive, and good. She loves animals.

The Nun’s Priest (Monk): a manly man, good rider. He is fat and loves to have fun (pleasures.)

The Friar: mellow and gallant person. He is able to absolve people from sin.

The Merchant: an excellent fellow, good in negotiation, loans, bargains, and administration.

Oxford Cleric: Philosopher that loves to read. He studies and spens his money only in learning.

Sergeant of the Law: he is a famous, wise, and wary judge. Knowledgeable about judgment and crimes.

Franklin (landowner): member of the shire that lived for pleasure (food).

Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, Carpet-maker: wise aldermen and council members.

Cook: a very good chef very knowledgeable about food.

Skipper: prudent and excellent fellow that ignored all the rules of conscience.

Doctor: a perfect practicing physician that liked astronomy too, he was not religious.

Woman of Bath: a woman married 5 times, dressed impeccably that loved to laugh and chat.

Parson: a patient, learned, and virtuous worker clerk.

Plowman: the brother of the parson. An honest, religious, and truthful worker.

8. The Wife of Bath’s Tale

 A knight in King Arthur’s court rapes a woman in a corn field. his punishment is death, but the queen intercedes on his behalf, and the king turns the knight over to her for judgment. The queen punishes the knight by sending him out on a quest to find out what women really want “more than anything else,” giving him a year and a day to discover it and having his word that he will return. If he fails to satisfy the queen with his answer, he forfeits his life. The man tells the queen that the thing that women want the most is power, and he is forgiven because of his anwer. The old woman and the knight converse about the knight’s happiness in their marriage bed and discuss that he is unhappy because she is ugly and low-born. She says he can choose between her being ugly and faithful or beautiful and unfaithful. He gives the choice to her to become whatever would bring the most honor and happiness to her; pleased with the mastery of her husband, she becomes fair and faithful to live with him happily until the end of their days.

9. Federigo’s Falcon from the Decameron

Federigo degli Alberighi is left with only a small farm and a magnificent falcon. Federigo loves Monna Giovanna, a young woman of nobility who is already married and has a son. After her wealthy husband dies, Monna and her son travel to their country estate near the farm where Federigo lives. The boy becomes friends with him and covets the prized falcon. Soon the boy is sick. He has one request: “Mother, if you can arrange for me to have Federigo’s falcon, I think I would get well quickly.” Monna is well aware of Federigo’s love for her, but she also realizes how attached the man is to the falcon. Monna makes an unannounced visit to Federigo’s farm. Before she declares the purpose of her call, he decides to honor Monna with a meal. Federigo has nothing to serve her. He catches a glimpse of his falcon on its perch. He breaks its neck and has it roasted on a spit. Monna eats the bird unaware that it is the animal she has come to request for her son. After dining, she asks Federigo for his falcon. All he can do is weep. He then reveals that he sacrificed the creature to provide a meal worthy of Monna. A few days later, her son dies. After a period of sorrow and resentment, she marries Federigo.

10. From Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The story begins in Camelot on New Year’s Day as King Arthur’s court is feasting and exchanging gifts. A large Green Knight armed with an axe enters the hall and proposes a game. He asks for someone in the court to strike him once with his axe, on the condition that the Green Knight will return the blow one year and one day later. Sir Gawain goes in search for the Green knight in order to take the blow he deserves. He stops by and stays in a house where the host tells him to play a game: they have to give each other what ever they get everyday. After the host leaves, the lady of the castle, castles lady, visits Gawain’s bedroom to seduce him. Despite her best efforts, however, he yields nothing but a single kiss. When the host returns and gives Gawain the deer he has killed, his guest responds by returning the lady’s kiss to the host, without divulging its source. The next day, the lady comes again, Gawain dodges her advances, and there is a similar exchange of a hunted boar for two kisses. She comes once more on the third morning, and Gawain accepts from her a green silk girdle, which the lady promises will keep him from all physical harm. Before Gawain leaves the lady gives him her sash for him to remember her. Then, he goes to look for the Green knight. It turned out that the host was the Green Knight and he knew everything about the wife and the sash. Sir Gawain is then dishonored and embarrassed because of the things he did.     

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Frame Story

Thursday, February 14, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

Mike and his Adventure

Told by Clan 

I’ll tell you this

Because the story is his

We went in the daylight

And he started to fight

The movie was awfully

But we were calmly

Then, Mike started fighting

But then we realized he was acting

Another movie we watch to act

And that was an important fact.   

Clan in his seat

Told by Sophie 

Clan was in his seat

Trying to be discrete

 Finally he talked me

And he said I was his baby

I felt myself in heaven,

And our relationship was hardened.

The movie was full of love

That we flew in a globe

Together we were

Hopefully forever

In the moment movie finished

 I realized that my dream banished.

Our own Movie

Told by Anna

 The movie was acted by Peter

And I was the builder.

After the movie we went home

And started the first tome

Our movie was better

In the middle of Easter

In the movie we played

But also we persuade

People has to clean the world

To create the dream-world.   

Anna and her problems

Told by Peter Anna,

in the movies, wasn’t with us

She saw the movies because she was anxious

She told us they were spectacular

Like the action of an airplane crasher

Anna needed to rest

Well, we thought it was the best

But her anxiety made her protest

Her humor was molest

But finally she fell asleep

So that moment was to keep.                   

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Get up and bar the door

Thursday, February 14, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

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If I could be Invisible…

Monday, February 4, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

If I could be invisible I would do great things, starting by helping people in the whole world. People need a hero, somebody who protect them from every situation, so I would like to be that hero. I would like to help the countries that suffer from terrorisms, getting the terrorist and putting them in jail, so the world could become a great world full of peace. I know that my life would change, but it would change for good. I would also like to jump flights all over the world, spending just minutes in places. I would like to visit every country in this world and help them too. I would also like to go to a forest and discover what it is, also enjoy the beauty that forests have; or maybe go to a lake and sit all by myself and enjoy my time without screaming kids, barking dogs, etc. Just the beauty of nature.  Going to every place in the world means that I would also like to go to the Bermudas triangle and any place in the world that is a total mystery. I would like to catch thieves, terrorists and any person that damages the whole world. I don’t know that I’m taking about because in reality I can’t do those things but I know that I can help people who lives in my country. In conclusion, most importantly, I would like to be the hope, happiness, health, wealth, peace, hope and promises of the entire planet earth. Sometimes I think it would be pretty cool to be invisible. Then I think how lonely it would be. Nobody would see me or know that I was there. I t would be a torture and I would probably go insane.

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