Beginning Quote Info

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Jane Austen
December 1775-July 1817
She was an English novelist known mostly for her six major novels that interpret, critique, and comment on the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.
Published in 1813
Elizabeth Bennet lives with her mother, father, and sisters in the English countryside. As the oldest, she gets pressure from her parents to marry. When Elizabeth is introduced to the handsome and upper-class Mr. Darcy, they have a connection. Although there is obvious chemistry between them, Darcy's overly reserved actions threaten the new relationship.
I don't think I would want to read this because of the storyline. I don't think it would interest me, but it could surprise me. I like storylines with more adventure and fast-paced things happening.

"For she knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it."
Toni Morrison    
February 1931
American novelist, editor, and Professor at Princeton University. He novels are known for epic themes, rich dialogue, and very detailed characters. Her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon, and Beloved. 
Published in 1977
Song of Solomon is based on the African-American folktale about enslaved Africans who escape slavery by flying back to Africa. Macon "Milkman" Dead, a young man alienated from himself and estranged from his family his community, and his historical and cultural roots. He is mentally enslaved and spiritually dead, but Pilate, his and, and Guitar Bains, his best friend, help him through a spiritual and emotional journey that lets him reconnect with his past and realize his worth.
This book sounds like it has a great plot. As long as it isn't slow, I think it would be a good read. I think the "journey" he went on would be interesting to read about.

Memorable Passage

“make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.” -Jon Krakauer

This passage is memorable to me because I read this book last year and thought it was really interesting and inspiring. I love this passage specifically because it is very inspiring to go out, live boldly and adventure. I like how this entire book really stays true to that passage and each part is adventurous and interesting. This book and passage specifically is really insightful and makes you think. It makes you remember and value the beauty of nature and adventuring. It makes me want to go on a big adventure once I'm done with high school this semester, but I am most likely going straight into college so I won't have time then. I do want to have a big adventure one summer soon though. I think doing this will keep me out of getting in the habit of life and letting the days slip away. I want to be able to travel and adventure, I think enjoying these things makes you more content and happy with life. Like the passage says, I believe it is important to not get too used to and comfortable with our shelter and every day life. I hope this passage and idea of this book sticks with me as I grow up, and inspires me to take more adventures and travels. It excites me to think about the trips I could go on when I'm older. I think the ideas from that English class will stay close to me for a long time because of how much I learned about life and myself.

Writers as Readers

When I read, I need peace, quiet, and not too bright of lighting. I don't enjoy reading much, but if I can find things that actually interest me, it can be relaxing to read, especially if it is something I can research. I prefer to be comfortable with a fan on for background noise and because it feels good.

I like adventurous, and action type of books. Most books don't interest me, but when I can get into a good book that makes me want to read more, I can enjoy it.

One of my best memories with reading was last year, when I read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I really enjoyed the class and the book specifically interested me and made me excited to see what happened next. Another book that kept me reading and interested me was The Hunger Games, this also brings good memories because I was in around 6th grade when the first book came out and I chose to read it in class. I remember when the movie came out and we watched it at a nice lake house our family stays at with our uncle, aunt, and cousins.

The only other book, besides Into the Wild and Hunger Games, that I remember to keep me interested was Of Mice and Men. One book I had to trudge through was Huck and Finn. I don't really remember it but all I remember was trying to understand the story and thinking it was really boring. To me, reading this book at such an early age was pointless, and even when I was older I'm not sure if it would've been a good read.

One reading teacher I remember was my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Debbie. I remember kindergarten at Wanda Gray and how much I enjoyed it. I remember the last day, actually being upset because I enjoyed the friends and being in school for some reason. This teacher made me appreciate school and the memories of this class are good. Sometimes it's nice to think about what it was like back then, a lot more simple. But everything that I have today makes me who I am and I enjoy life a lot.

My favorite book series is the Hunger Games. I enjoy the futuristic type of theme it has. It also is adventurous and filled with action, so it kept me interested. I enjoy books that have a good, thrilling plot that builds up to a relieving ending.  Into the Wild also has this type of interesting, thrilling plot. Even though he ends up dying, it is still relieving and a great ending to his story.

Quotations

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." -John Ruskin

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." - Charles Spurgeon

 "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud"    -Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou Poem

I sing of freedom
Making your own choices, truly getting to do what you want, when you want
I love the freedom of having a car and being able to do whatever I want during the day until curfew
Like the snap of a finger, you're out of the stage where you ask your parents to take you and figure out rides
Looking back on those times, life seems to have gone slower
I think moving out is the point where you get the biggest change in freedom and start to experience what life is like being responsible for yourself fully
Making your own choices, while it can have consequence, is a great feeling
Time may seem to keep going quicker as we get older
I wonder if we will reminisce and wish we could come back to when days went by a bit slower
Or if we will enjoy the moments of our days to come, and not get caught up with life, letting it pass us by

Maya Angelou questions

When Maya Angelou says "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" she is making reference to anything being held back or caged up. She says it isn't singing of happiness, but is screaming because it can't be free. I understand this idea, and while it is not as literal with humans, it can be true with some things. A bird is screaming because it literally can not leave that cage. With humans it can be other things like not being able to leave the house, or even being in a very stressful situation that we can't leave, we just have to deal with it in that moment.

Talking about bad things too often can give them too much power like Angelou says, but I think some things should be talked about at least once to overcome the anxiety and fear of it. Some things can eat away at you until you finally overcome that fear or anxiety and just say the thing out loud and realize it is okay. I think she either didn't understand that or never had it happen to her, she just held things in and didn't speak about it.

I don't think I would go without talking for 5 years no matter what happened to me. I would feel like I was wasting time and my life away living in and hating the past event that may have happened. I like to continue life and be happy to get past any type of tragic event. I feel like staying quiet and not moving past it would let it continue feeling like its eating you on the inside.

I think it would be cool to speak multiple languages. But I don't know when I would take the time to learn any. It is better to learn them growing up instead of trying to later on, so I would feel like it is somewhat wasting time because all we really need to live here is English.

I remember some things. I feel like it is better this way because some things we want to move past and forget, or never think about. I remember happy time mostly, there aren't too many sad or embarrassing moments that burn into my head for me to remember. The most fuzzy times of my life would be ages 0-3 and then my years up to high school, everything becomes fuzzy and hard to remember being in that mindset and routine.

I think she means that a fact can be anything that has happened or is technically true. The truth is something that should be held close to your heart and something you should live your life by. 

My biggest distractions for my "small mind" is my phone, computer, and electronics. I have used things like solving a rubiks cube to pass time and be engaged. I can also listen to music to be engaged and pass time.

The easy part about writing for me is flowing once you have the flow started. The hardest part can be getting engaged and starting a flow of thoughts. Writing is hard work all together.

I think once you are past twenty-five it just gets harder, not impossible to learn. While you may be more focused on what't important and not distracted, is will still probably be harder to learn.

Dream Marks on My Pillow

Laying in bed before I fall asleep with my soft, cozy pillow. With all of the creases and hard shadows like the one Ana Iancu has drawn. The pillow she has drawn makes me think of my great grandparents and their house for some reason. Staying there with my brother and sister when we were little, and now we are almost always busy, and when we aren't we want to relax or be with friends.

Laying in my bed
A lot can be on the mind
But I sleep in peace

Dream Threads

If a big event happened that day, then I'll think about the memories I'll have stored in my mind. Laying in bed after that amazing day, letting the memories continue to pile in so I can really remember them. I wish I could go back and re-experience all of the amazing moments. I turn on the T.V. and start the nightly Netflix routine. Fading away after watching a few episodes of Parks n Rec or The Office thinking about that day a little more. I slowly wind down and don't comprehend the tv show anymore as I fall asleep. I have random dreams, wishing they were all one long dream of that day all over again, but
Vivid dreams fade to a dream not worth remembering.

If I Were in Charge of the World

If I were in charge of the world
I'd cancel Monday classes, bad drivers, doing things that interrupt the plans we really want to have, and all classes after 12:00 AM for that matter.
If I were in charge of the world
There'd be more day light, it would never be too hot outside, and plenty of snowy and rainy days too.
If I were in charge of the world
you wouldn't have bored.
You wouldn't have sad.
You wouldn't have lonely.
Or "we have to clean this or that"
You wouldn't even have to clean, you would have a small robot for that
If I were in charge of the world
a chocolate brownie concrete from Andys would be a vegetable
All movies would be good and worth watching.
and a person who sometimes forgot homework
and sometimes forgot to set their alarm
would still be allowed to be
in charge of the world.

Daydreams

Sitting in school, bored, I drift off in my head to my "happy place". Different places I would longboard and now bike to. Vacations with my family, being on that Disney cruise ship for a week, with an indescribable feeling being in the middle of the ocean without outside phone contact.  Sitting next to the creek with my friends of which a few have moved away and some I just don't really hang out with anymore. Relaxing with Regan in the hammock, surrounded by nature. Picking her up and cuddling through that night I picked her up from a party because she wasn't feeling well. Thinking about the future and how fast it will really come, even though sometimes it seems it is coming slowly.    Thinking about where I want to, and may end up living.

Comments (Colors)

Hey Samantha, love this piece because of the very strong imagery. Nice work with that, very interesting and enjoyable to read.

Hey Samantha, I love the memories and cozy feeling this reminds me of. Great detail and perfectly describes a night watching high school football.

Hey Karlee, I personally think this piece ties in well with that color swatch. I like how it ended with "But of course, You have school again tomorrow." I have read this probably 7-10 times and it's interesting to keep reading over and over for some reason, nice work.

Hey Taylor, "alone among the millions of strands of green wispy grass. The way it moved almost brought a sense of calm to the world", this line begins to make the imagery very strong for me, it brings a calm and content feeling for some reason. I love this piece, great work.

Hey Charles, great job rhyming and not getting away from the topic just trying to find words to work with it. I like the line "I probably need help from my mother", nice work.

Hey Matt, I love this different shade of blue. Nice job rhyming, I love the ending, "This bottle has a very calming hue, Because Pacific Pleasure is a shade of blue." Nice work

Color Story

Looking into those ocean eyes. Sitting next to that beautiful body of water. Looking up into the

clear, picture perfect sky. Both wearing jeans and almost matching colored shirts. Holding each other while we lay on the soft, blue blanket.

Relaxing in my two-color hammock with my princess. Sipping on a smoothie with hints of spinach in it. Surrounded by nothing but grass, bushes, and tree leaves. Hung high in our "cocoon" together with the warm cozy feeling, knowing we are high above ground being held by those straps and our strong ripstop nylon. Enjoying the green nature all around, below, and above us.

We have a picnic on a yellow blanket out by the water. Bananas, bright apples, pears, and lemonade sitting out while we enjoy our surroundings together. Baby ducks following their mother, their light hair shining under the sun. Taking a walk afterwards soaking up the great weather.

I sit in the kitchen looking at the perfect bowl of oranges on the table, waiting for a nice fall dinner. Roast with cooked carrots are served, and mashed potatoes on the side. With halloween approaching, there are pumpkins outside and decorations inside. I love the feelings and weather that comes with this time of year.

KHS Color Walk Poem

All the memories in that very small room

Missing every moment of it, even though some are hard work that we don't want to do

Wanting to go back and re-experience the class

Every life lesson I learned in there

Every page of my journal I wrote, getting closer to finding who I really am

The past stays the past and it is sometimes almost sad to look back on and realize

We can't go back, no matter how much we want to

I'm now a senior, in my last semester of High School

Standing outside of the rooms I used to go in every day, looking forward to this year

Now it is nostalgic thinking about all of that time and those moments in these classrooms and hallways

But we can't go back, we can only move into our future

Color Collage

The Starbucks cup pours out many memories

From being a young child and thinking "how can people like coffee"

Going there before some of my siblings sporting events

Sitting and enjoying that frappuccino more than anything

Growing up and beginning to go with girls in the mall location

Being a young nervous teenager trying to impress them

Going and just sitting to talk with my uncle over a cup of coffee

Every morning walking out of our small hotel on Main Street in Santa Monica

Walking just 100 yards through the cool, ocean smelling air

For a cup of coffee and breakfast with my dad and brother, every morning we were there

Free Verse

The deep midnight plum makes me want to relax in my hammock

Sharing blackberry sorbet with the one

Deep relaxation laying, looking up at the tree leaves

with the bright stars shining through

Feeling fortified in our thin but strong

and durable hammock

Laying and sleeping through the night

in the comfortable nylon draping from two trees

Sitting on a blanket next to the duck pond as the sun sets

cuddling, laying down, and laughing

at almost nothing together

When the sun sets we lay and stargaze by the waterscape

Close together, feeling and enjoying the love in the comfortable weather

This is all we need, each other

by our sides through the night

and sleeping in through the morning

Acrostic

S itting on the sea without a care in the world

E ating the different foods on the island

A ll we want is to stay here in this tropical place with the cool breeze

S avory moments on the island remain in our minds

P eople of different ethnicities coming and enjoying the beautiful sights to see

R elaxation and the warm cozy feeling of a comfy bed after a long day out

A tmosphere filled with the sea salt smell with and the breeze running through your hair

Y oung and free to do whatever the island allows

Color Haikus

Enjoy the morning

Refracted light in nature

Shines on leaves and silk

Look into blue eyes

With their tranquil vibes

Underneath the moonlit path

Comments

Hey Samantha, I can relate to the working even more than you are at home and going out for fried asparagus and sushi. I really enjoy the "pinterest perfect life in Colorado", line it gives me nostalgia and makes me look forward to the future. Also how you mention time passing and "losing track" of it. I have thought about that a lot lately and have tried to stay in the moment and enjoy each day. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing Samantha, I love the portion about Halloween because it reminds me of my younger years, really looking forward to it and enjoying every bit of it. It reminds me of every costume I used to wear and I thought your "trash bag" costume was pretty funny. Thinking about raking leaves throws me back to being a young kid at my grandparents house raking them up and jumping in, without another thought on my mind. I like how that random Octoberfest can "spark" that many memories and reminds me of a few objects I have that can do just the same. 

I love the "still figuring out how life works" line as I think we can almost all relate to that.  "A son to wonderful parents who teach me the right from the wrong", this reminds me of how much my parents care and try to always help me, and like a lot of teenagers, I don't give them enough credit. I really enjoyed where you said "A humble kid, but I always think I am right", I feel that way and it has been hard to describe, but even that short sentence describes it pretty well. Thanks for sharing Matt!

Hey Matt, I don't actually enjoy running, but this reminds me a lot of soccer, which we played together Freshman year. "I couldn’t make up this story if I tried", I really enjoyed this and thought it was a little funny because I, and most likely many others, have had those same moments. It's very cool that you met Allison in track and the "support" reminds me of my girl who supports me just as much. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Kam, "but they’re just mad that it gets priority seating in my car." I love that and it actually made me laugh! " Sometimes it’s not necessarily the object that is so important, but the memories that are associated with it.", this is so true and reminds me of some objects I have that are the same way. I enjoy how much you love baseball and it's very cool how the one you found means so much and that you take it anywhere and everywhere. Thanks for sharing!