Closure/Reflection to English 12

    

English 12 was a spectacular learning experience! I've made a great improvement in my writing for instance I made my narrative essays more intricately descriptive by including several detailed descriptions. By working on group projects, I've got to know many of the other students and also learned to work well in a team. I found the play Hamlet very intriguing, I think it had a good plot with complex details since at times it was difficult for me to comprehend the Shakespearean english. However with time, I soon got used to the language and really enjoyed myself when reading the play and watching the movie. This year I've added to my list of literary terms by learning several more words. I also loved how we used technology in our learning. It was a unique way to display our learning through a digital footprint. The process of blogs was very helpful in thinking and reflecting about what I learned. I loved doing blogs since it was where I could express my thoughts and opinions openly. Even though, English 12 is coming to an end. I will never forget what I have learned and will eventually apply it to english aspects in my post secondary education and in the real world.

                   

"Night" Lit Circles

This week, we started lit circles. I have chosen the novel "Night" by Elie Wiesel. It is a real life story based on a Jewish survivor from the Holocaust. It is quite interesting as it provides insight to real life situations that the Jewish community went through. This book also reflects on their thoughts and feelings throughout their experience with the German Nazi's. I have chosen this book due to the fact it is a true story. I find true stories very intriguing since there's always something to learn from it. It also has broadened my perspectives and has made me realize how lucky I am to not experience the kinds of torture they have gone through. So far, the novel is excellent and I think it is a good read!

A video link to a Holocaust Survivor's Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeixVrnS7r8

Elie Wiesel's Night

Invictus " Inspiratonal" Poem/Quote Response

A quote which has impacted the decisions I make in my life is:

 "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?" 

by John Lewis. This quote not only provided me with inspiration and hope in difficult times but also, resulted me into thinking deeper about myself. This quote constantly reminds me to not waste a single minuscule moment of the essence of opportunities which is in front of my very two eyes. I found these few lines by Lewis, quite inspiring because I believe that it is very easy to miss small opportunities which can help us to develop as a person. By keeping our eyes open and by taking initiative to every opportunity available to us possible, only then will we be successful and content with ourselves. If we never tried, or did something different then when will we do it? We need to learn from the difficult obstacles that come into our life, that keep coming to us like a continuous game of domino's. This quote can be implied to the context of creating a greener environment for instance, if someone did not recycle or throw their garbage away now then who will and when? Its all a matter of being proactive and taking charge of your life.

By being able to live in the moment and take charge, one becomes successful.

A link to the poem "Invictus" which impacted Nelson Mandela and gave him hope and inspiration:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/182194                                     

Found Poem: "The World is Yours"

To be great,

 you have to show up.

We are all humans.

Share what you can. 

Explore modern languages.

Celebrate equality.

Reveal your potential.

Connect with those who share aspirations. 

            Engage the world!

    

Ophelia Post-Mortem Monologue

Ophelia:

Ophelia has decided to suicide by the means of drowning after
she hears of her fathers death and that Hamlet killed him.

    Dearest Hamlet how depressed has't thee been to knoweth that I hast drowned.  I could not bear that thee hadst hath killed mine father.  I could see no more happiness in mine life. Mine father means the world to me. How dare thee killeth mine frail father? After many suicidal thoughts, I hath decided to finally end mine life. After mine death, I cameth to realize Hamlet hath killed mine father by accident. Still I am confused. How could this be an accident? Killing is not an easy duty. What wast the real reason? I want to knoweth the answers. I wilt not rest in peace until I doth not findeth the reason behind this accident.




A link to the play Hamlet on Google books :
https://books.google.ca/books?id=BA9GAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Hamlet&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wXWnVJnHE4_foASx1oDYAg&ved=0CCgQ6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=Hamlet&f=false

A link to a video on Shakespeare words and expressions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbgZxAIiO04

Hamlet on Revenge

In Act 1 scene 5 of Hamlet, the ghost commands Hamlet to "[r]evenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (1.5.29). Hamlet is quite indecisive and does not know what to do. In my opinion, I feel that taking revenge is very damaging to one's emotional well-being. It can have a tremendous negative affect on the person and can also influence future actions that they decide to take in life. It soon can becomes a domino effect by feeling things such as revenge is acceptable.  Fighting fire with fire only causes more flames and chaos. In some incidences, revenge may seem like the best option but there is another path of forgiveness which people rarely think about. The path of forgiveness can be the most difficult path to take however it is better in the long run. By forgiving, one is letting go of all the grudges on ones chest. It makes one feel content by letting go whereas revenge will continue to ignite the fire in oneself and will allow one to bottle up all the anger and it will also bring a wave of unexpected emotions. Avenging is to punish a wrongdoing with intent of seeing justice done whereas revenge is more personal, less about justice being done and more conflict based. I think Hamlet should avenge rather than take revenge because his uncle needs to be punished so that he could realize his mistake. By murdering his uncle, there would be no use since he would not feel guilty or regretful about it. I feel that avenging is better than revenge because justice is seen and the person who did the wrong doing is punished.

              
         Never take personal revenge instead avenge, it punishes the wrongdoing and  justice is given to victims.

Advice to My Grade 8 Self

Dear Grade 8 self,

Coming from an elementary school of only five hundred students and only knowing a few people can be quite intimidating when starting high school, with over twelve hundred hundred students. With so many kids, it's impossible for everyone to like you. Don't change who you are in order to fit in or to impress people. Find true friends that will like you for you, and not the person people want you to be. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help. There are so many kind and supportive teachers who are willing to help you. It's okay to not know the answer to something but instead of obsessing over it, take initiative and ask for help. Try to get involved with school activities and clubs as much as possible. It will help you to meet new people and will allow you to be part of the various events happening at school. Balancing school work and other things can get chaotic along the way. Use a planner to plan and make room for all your extra-curricular, clubs, school work and personal life. Make a realistic schedule that will help you to stay on task. Most importantly, stop being so conscious of what other people think. Don't let fears and doubts take over your life. Just be content and confident with who you are and be comfortable in your own skin. Be yourself.

Sincerely, 
your Grade 12 self

Giving advice to one's younger self