Burning

Comparison Between the self-burning of Mohamed Bouazizi and “The Burning Monk.”

Similarities:

Both did it, to show and to make their cause noticeable and heard. The Monk was originally thought to have done it for religious reasons, but some Buddhist scholars believe that it was also for political reasons; thus making them both political movements.

Differences:

One difference is that the monk had others who "helped" him; for they, other monks, poured the gasoline upon him, on his request. Mohamed did it himself, but his friend, another fruit vendor, was standing close by. The basis of their "self-burnings" were caused by different things. The Monk did it for he wanted the freedom of religion and he claimed that the government was demolishing his religion. On the another hand, Mohamed did it against the government, the ruler, because he was refused the right to talk to the government. His fruit scale had been taken again (happened repeatedly before) and he just wanted it back, but they wouldn't even allow him in the gates of the government building. They killed themselves for they both were enraged at the government, but for different reasons. One wanted the right of religion and the other wanted the no search and seizure (amendments from American Constitution).

My thoughts on the topic:

I think this was extreme, I wish there was another way to grab a whole country's attention. I personally think that it was sad that the burning of a person was needed to spark a revolution. Literary, a spark started the revolution and ended a life for a revolution of a county.

Here is a poem that conveys my feeling on a the topic:

"I'm having one of those days,
Where everything seems wrong.
The day seems to drag on,
And the tears struggle to stop.

One of those nights,
Where I feel so alone.
I feel empty right to the bone,
All I want to do is cry.

One of those memories,
I have to hang on to.
That one image of you,
Drilled into my head.

One of those thoughts,
Where all you ask is why.
Why did you have to die,
Leaving me to hurt forever. " - Caitlyn

Yet there is another part of me that feels like this...

A Political Litany

"From a kingdom that bullies, and hectors, and swears,
we send up to heaven our wishes and prayers
that we, disunited, may freemen be still" - Philip Freneau

This shows that even though some died, the after affects helped many people.

Option#1/Literary Analysis of WWI - Bosnian Crisis

My entry is a comment below due to tech. difficulties.

The White Man's Burden & Imperialism

Response to Kiplings "The White Man's Burden":
1. Determine what Kipling means by "the White Man's Burden"?
White man's burden, has actually been haded to some dictionaries as a noun. It's meaning was derived from Kipling's poem. According to dictionary.com it means, "the alleged duty of the white race to care for subject peoples of other races in its colonial possessions." He shows "the white man's burden" sort of as a responsibility of the "white" race to protect the other races, but not their own, for he writes, "Go, bind your sons to exile to serve your captives' needs."
2. Does Kipling justify imperialism? How so?
I think he sort does justify imperialism, for he shows it as one place helping another to have progress. Kipling describes it as a country putting others in front of its-self. Yet he shows another sort of view, too. His word choice displays how it is wrong and a sad, horrible thing to force people into a different culture. Kipling writes these things, "to veil the threat of horror," and "your new-caught sullen peoples," doesn't this paint a horrible fear in your mind? He writes with words of sadness, but his message seems to rejoice for progress is to come.
3. Why might such a justification might be so appealing?
It shows that even though the "captives" may see it as one way, it could be for the better. They new country might bring advancements and supplies. I guess what I am saying is that he shows how it could be taken as a kindly sort of gesture or one just to show great power and superiority.

Self Reflection: Reconstruction Debate

Self-Reflection Questions

Reconstruction Debate

1. How did I feel during planning this presentation? Why did I feel this way?

a. I was very frustrated. My group as a whole wasn’t getting along and we weren’t all on the same page. It was rough and since I was doing the conclusion I felt sort of useless until my group got a lot of their work done.

2. How did I feel prior to presenting? Why did I feel this way?

Before the presentation I got anxious. I was feeling uneasy and had convinced myself that I was going to fail completely. I, being a perfectionist, never really feels good or comfortable with my own work; and truthfully I could have done better than I did.

3. How did I feel while I was presenting? Why did I feel this way?

During the time I was presenting, I felt nervous and shameful. I knew I was stumbling and that I wasn’t confident with my work. I was nervous at first, but was doing okay. Then I felt ashamed for I was messing up and it seemed as though I had let down the group.

4. What did I personally do well?

All I can really say is that I had a loud voice. I also had some hand movement and eye contact for the first few lines. I wished I had carried that out the entire time.

5. What did not go as desired in this presentation?

I kept stumbling on the word “unalienable”. I had to say it about three times to finally get it right. My conclusion should have been longer and should have included more of a summarizing affect on the information and not just the overall topic. I also wish that I hadn’t been so nervous and forgotten my lines. This caused me to read half of my sort little, little, part.

6. On a scale from 1-10, how well do I think I understood the content? Explain.

Well if I going upon my group’s presentation, then probably about a 3. I learned the content from listening to other groups or on my own; and that leaves me personal understanding of the content at about an 7.

7. How do I think my group members perceived me? Why do I think this?

I don't really know. Each of them saw a different side of me. Some could see me as simply a quite person sitting there or some could have seen me as annoying. I was trying to help the group move along(so I could actually do my work) and some could have took it to be bothersome.

8. How do I think the 8^th graders perceived me? Why do I think this?

Seeing how I stumbled and had to read or refer back to my notes(which they absolutely dislike); I would say that the 8^th graders probably saw me as an unprepared, nervous girl. According to my behavior and actions I could totally see that and in fact I do see my presentation that way.

9. Knowing that I can only control how I act and react, if I could do this presentation again, what would I change about my actions to make it a more ideal experience?

I would try to make more eye contact and hand motions to convey my message; in order to enhance the presentation. If we had a night to practice I would take full advantage, so that I can make sure I won’t stumble on my lines again. I wish we could do this presentation over again.

10. What are my strengths in groups?

I am normally good at persuading and I have a nice way to present key points (both of which I lacked in this presentation). I can also step up to be a leader if one is needed.

11. What areas do I need improvement?

I need to find away to cool myself down and become less nervous. I also need to learn to handle groups better. When I am in a group and things are not going smoothly, I tend to stress and snap.

12. What is the most important thing I learned about myself? Why is this so important?

I rediscovered many of my previous and reoccurring problems. The main thing I learned was that I tend to struggle in groups greatly. I have known this, but in this project my group skills were tested and I desperately need to find a way to cool off. This is important because negative attitude(which I can get when stressed) spreads quickly and easily, which could harm the group even more.

13. Are there any other things that I need to express?

Over all I was totally stressed out about this project, for nothing seemed to go good in my direction.

Reflective Blog Entry

I have grown and changed throughout the 1st semester. At the beginning of the year I took criticism horribly and now I'm starting to take it better. I still need to work on it, but I handling it better and I just try to remember that they are simply trying to help me. My skills on Keynote have also improved. I have used Keynote before and knew the basics, but now I am beginning to do more advance movements and builds on the program.

I don't have many proud moments. I tend to block them out and never really feel comfortable with what I have done. I always think that my work was bad and not good enough, well unless it comes to writing. I feel comfortable about and proud of my poetry, but so far this year I really haven't experienced that wow factor moment. I guess I was pretty proud of my Lorax project because I made everything from scratch and didn't used any internet photos, oh except the actual Lorax.

The most challenging part of the first semester was working in groups. I struggled horribly with it. In some I felt like I was too quite and others the group didn't exactly get along or work together.

Okay. One question. How are we supposed to pick a favorite moment? Almost every moment in DLC is worthwhile (I mean almost, not all, but almost all). How can I choose between all the funny moments and well just plain odd moments. Hmmmmm..... Okay I got it. My favorite moment in DLC was when (actually this just happened) we were going through Miss Bailin’s gifts and she found a cat figure, that Nick gave her. It was so funny. She went into all these things about how she likes it when something about the animal is off or not scaled. She said that it was a head of a cat with the body of a bulldog. And now she has even hung it from the ceiling above her desk. My favorite project was the Red Badge of Courage scenes or the Industrial Revolution projects.

I don't really know what to expect for second semester, but I would like to get straight A's. It will be hard, but I am willing to work for it. I also would like to work successfully in a group. Oh! And of course speak up more and actually share my thoughts, instead of hiding and being so quiet.