A Certain Phrase of Music

There’s a Certain Phrase of Music

There’s a certain phrase of music,

Announcing the shows begun

The excitement builds inside me

As I transform into a nun

The look on everyone’s faces

Shows a place far away

A chain gang working in France

Because they have no say

The music triggers a transformation

Reality is pushed aside

I take on a character

Where some may choose to hide

This phrase is full of passion

Percussion, horns, and strings

Rising anticipation

Before we start to sing

It hits a certain point,

In the ones hardest to break,

It is deep within the soul

Where the music resonates 

There Was an Adina Went Forth

There was an Adina Went Forth

1          There was a child went forth every day;
 And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became;
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of
the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.

            The songs of Susan Sallidor and Raffi filled the car

As three kids were bustled from place to place

Next we’d end up at Grandma’s house, with all the excitement blocking any memories of the journey; a new thai outfit and dances, twenty kisses around the room

Papa sat smiling on the couch, “Shalom Aleichem” pouring from his mouth

10       Returned from a nice dinner, welcomed by sirens drowning out the song

Three kids remain crying on the grass outside

The memory and music became a part of this child

            Dad’s harsh love had the child conflicted,

Nothing should ever dare test his place

He shared his humor and facts of the world

Always holding on to his “baby”

Mom was always there, loving, but timid

Her voice filled any quiet space

They provided a span of opportunities, leading the child to choices

20       Building a foundation that would affect every decision

And become a part of this child

Soon the child became loud and confident,

Eager to learn and do everything

A whir of performances and games, competitions and recitals

There wasn’t anything this child wouldn’t try

Friendship and family, sports and arts

All became part of this child

Middle school brought on a new wave of thought,

A new world to be considered

30        Emotion was more readily attached to it all

And certain childhood friends no longer remained.

The mind grew and pondered everything it took in

And these observations became a part of this child

It seemed that the biggest change had already occurred

But the mind only continued to grow

New people brought new perspective and a lifestyle began to form

So many choices everywhere this child turned

And with maturity lingered defiance, which all became a part of this child

Report of hurricanes packed students into the auditorium

40        Gun violence created a drill

The twin towers fell hurting the people of our country and brought caution for what was left

Obama was inaugurated as the first black president and the child lived to tell

These became part of that child who went forth every day, and who now goes, and will always go forth every day.

photo essay

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a41344d44497a4e6a6b3d0d0a&blogview=true

Artist’s Statement and Reflection

A prominent issue in our society is the incredibly fast pace of life.  It seems that everyone is always in a great rush to be somewhere or do something, but that they never really stop to notice and appreciate where they are.  Technology is so accessible everywhere we go and it is a large factor in distracting us from fully being where we are physically. This fast pace pushes physical and mental health to the side, leading to other issues, such as obesity and depression. In my photo essay, my photographs progress to the ultimate crash of what comes of living so quickly, depression or at the most extreme, suicide.  All the effects are interspersed within pictures of the actual pace to show how it is all very connected.   It is clear that living so fast is a stressor we put on ourselves as a society and that it is not a healthy way to continue our lives. 

I found the experience of creating my photo essay to be similar to writing my Nature Portfolio.  In both I very carefully observed the world around me and was able to zoom in and capture ideas or images that were relevant to me.  From there I could add my own interpretations and thoughts about what I see.   I like how these assignments made me take a closer look  and reflect on the life I’m living rather than just reading about someone else’s experiences.  Completing this photo essay increased my consciousness of my pace and what I can do to keep it steady.  I have shared it with my family and friends, because for now that is the only method I have to bring awareness to the issue.  I think it is important for everyone to be aware of their pace and to do what is good for them to remain in the moment.   

The American Dream

In The Great Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun, the American Dream, made up of many different aspects, plays a prominent role.  For both Gatsby, in The Great Gatsby, and Walter in A Raisin in the Sun, money is a very large part in achieving the American Dream.  To Gatsby, earning this money equals love and winning over Daisy.  Walter believes money can fix all worries and problems, and provide a better life for his family.  Both of these characters also share the hard work of trying to create a name for themselves, and to establish an identity, mostly through their earnings.  Gatsby is born into a poor family of farmers and he rises from nothing into wealth.  Walter inherits a sum from his father and he attempts to make it grow by investing this money in a business.  This ideal American Dream of money bringing all they want seems to become only an illusion and not actually so ideal.  Walter’s money falls through in a wrongly trusted business partner, and the hope brought to Gatsby by the green light signifying Daisy remains just that-hope.  Gatsby’s dream is behind him in what happened with him and Daisy in 1917, while his American Dream remains unreachable. 

Another factor in the American Dream is race.  In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan believes that white is the dominant race and that black people achieving success in America is breaking down civilization.  In contrast, the Younger family, in A Raisin in the Sun, believe that they have every right to achieve just as much as the white people.   The Younger family lived during the 1950’s, a time when racial segregation was very prominent, and their hope to reach the American dream of money represents the beginning of reform in America. The Younger family lives on the South Side of Chicago and they take the bold step to move into a white dominated neighborhood, even when pressured and bribed to not move in. 

 The final factor of the American Dream presented in A Raisin in the Sun and The Great Gatsby is gaining independence.  Nick, in The Great Gatsby, leaves his home in the Midwest to begin his own life on Long Island, away from what he knows.  Beneatha Younger also wants independence from her family in A Raisin in the Sun.  She has to make her own decision between two men who love her, Asagai and George, and she decides she wants to live her life with Asagai even though he is not rich.  This brings up the importance of happiness over money in Beneatha’s American Dream.  Nick and Beneatha both do return to their roots, realizing that that is where their dream takes them.  Nick goes back to the Midwest, and Beneatha agrees to go with Asagai to Nigeria. There are similar aspects of money and independence making up the American Dreams of characters in both novels, but the characters’ views on race are the biggest differing factor in whose dreams they believe should become reality. 

word count: 504 

Paine vs. Henry

      I believe that the "Speech in the Virginia Convention" by Patrick Henry is much more convincing for war with Great Britain than "The Crisis" by Thomas Paine.  Paine uses more text painting and beautiful wording, but Henry's simplicity helped me to better understand the message.  Paine says, “My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light,” but I don’t think he conveyed his clear line well enough for me to see how clear or right he may be.  Paine also seems somewhat threatening when he says, “It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all.”  He tries to win the reader over with fear and faith.  However, I can feel Henry’s energy and passion in his words. He asks many questions of the reader to really engage and make the need to fight personal.  Henry makes it clear that the people can no longer rely on their hope: “and judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house.”  Henry lays out all that has been attempted in vain, and also warns that the British are already preparing for war. He leaves the reader with no other options, showing that everything has been attempted and it is time to fight.

 word count: 251

Voting in America

 Voting originally appeared formally in the Constitution in 1789, and the society of that time interpreted it to only allow white, male landowners over the age of 21 to vote.  Throughout the years, these limits have stretched very far, with hard work from women's rights and African American activists, fighting for their rights and equality. Amendments have been made to the Constitution, granting women's suffrage, black suffrage, and changing the voting age to eighteen. Voting has become an essential part of the American dream because it provides every citizen with an opportunity to have a say in their government.  Our democracy is ideal to many immigrants, who have been suppressed under absolute dictators. In our society, voting provides empowerment and equality, making evident the impact we have as a people. The right to vote is still very relevant in today's society, but many Americans take this freedom for granted, as it has become more of a realistic and easily achievable part of the dream.
word count: 164