Monday, December 12, 2011
Journal#9
I had a very positive experience in English 15S. I came into this class with the goal of furthering myself as a writer for my future experiences in the literature and writing department. The course did more for me than what I expected of it. I not only bettered myself as a writer but redefined how I think about art. I rarely ever paused to think about how all around us are beautiful things we take for granted every day. Just walking back from Irvings I enjoyed the sights of the beautiful campus that I would have passed off as boring and obsolete. The subjects we studied that had to do with Penn State were enjoyable because I could relate to them. It made it a much more enjoyable experience as we talked about subjects that I had an interest in. I gained a better flow in my overall writing. My writing used to be very choppy and staggered where now I have more confidence people will enjoy the overall flow of my papers. The piece we did on the Penn State podcast really stands out in my mind. Listening to the account of the campus from another person’s point of view was very interesting. Hearing all the different signs and tales of that one night on campus actually made me chuckle. I experience all the same things but with a different take. Some of the stats the podcast used were staggering and really opened my eyes up to Penn State as a whole campus and University. I learned more about the arts in this class than I have in my entire life. I had always struggled coming up with my own definition of art. I had trouble understanding everything that the word art encompassed. Now I have a clear understanding of everything that art is and have gained a new appreciation for art. I also gained a greater skill in the field of revising people’s papers. Before I would be hesitant on whether to tell someone to make a change here or there because of my lack of confidence. With the help of your class I have gained confidence in my writing abilities. The last research paper really had a large impact on me. I didn’t have an idea of what I was going to write about for our last paper for so long. I was frustrated with the topic being art, seeing as how I am not usually very appreciative of the arts. I thought about what I was going to write about forever until I looked at your suggestions. I noticed one of them was something called Fallingwater. I had no idea what this was or how it related to art. After hours of research and becoming familiar with the amazing house I was enticed. I actually enjoyed researching Fallingwater because I came to understand how wonderful it was. This class most of all helped me in the fact that it made me step outside my comfort zone. Not one part of this class was something that I felt comfortable doing but this is a good thing. Now in the future I will have had experience in this type of work and am very grateful for it, thank you very much!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
2nd reading
Ms. Sheila Squillante’s reading was my favorite part of the class. It was awesome to be able to hear our teachers work told by herself. It made me appreciate the knowledge that you are instilling in us while validating your merit in the literary world. Your self-portrait story was very interesting in which you incorporated the use of symbolizing the rollercoaster to your life. It really made me have an understanding of the hardships you deal with in life while also realizing there are many positives you live through. Your poem about the color green reminded me of when we had a writing assignment to do the same thing my senior year of high school. I remember thinking for hours about what to write and having trouble coming up with material. Listening to your poem showed me how through innovation you can turn anything into a beautiful piece of literature. Your letter poem that had to deal with aliens showed me something that I had never heard of before. I thought it was beautiful how the piece functions as a poem and a letter. The difficulty creating a piece of that nature shows how creative you are. The piece itself shows the skill that you possess as well as a gift in words. I was blown away with how impressed I was of you as a writer. I believe you create pieces that are smart, as well as providing a message that is hidden within your works. Your writing is fluent and flawless. My favorite poem of yours is definitely the dream poem you created. I thought it was great how you took such a random series of events and tied them together in one story. My favorite part was the randomness involved while you were walking down the road. You were in a cul-de-sac, but not any ordinary cul-de-sac, at the end of this one was a massive temple. The dream also included such random things as a boy on a man sized tricycle, people practicing yoga, and a humidifier. This poem appealed to me so much because of how random it was. It stirred my emotions in a humorous way. I actually chuckled at some parts because I thought of them in a realistic manner. What if these things actually happened to you? If you were actually walking down a road to be greeted by a massive random temple, how would you feel? Would you be scarred or are you adventurous and would want to venture inside? This poem makes you think and visualize what you are hearing. Each person’s interpretation of the dream is unique. One person may have an idea or a visual image of something in the poem, while another person has the opposite picture or feelings. Thank you very much for gracing us with your work. I found it to be very interesting and am grateful for the opportunity to hear your words. I hope continue your success and believe that the sky is the limit for you!
Qarrtsiluni pieces
The photo by Elizabeth Switaj is very unique. The contrast of colors makes for a very interesting piece. There are bright shades of gold and green while the backdrop is a dark wall. It seems very dirty and grim around the people being depicted. The people themselves seem to be from a Japanese heritage. The gold trinket suspended above the people seems to be the focal point. It appears to be made of gold or bronze which stands out from the meek colors that surround the piece. The photo creates a sense of beauty while also incorporating the theme of darkness.
Adrian Thompson’s photo of the interior of Notre dame is breathtaking. The cathedral is known for its beauty and attention to detail. The cathedral fully takes advantage of excessive lighting to illuminate the entire building. Shadows are cast off the ominous archways to create a medieval vibe. The center of the picture contains a large window compromised of stained glass set high in the cathedral. The size and beauty of the glass fits perfectly with the theme of the cathedral. Chandeliers hang giving off a soft warm glow on the hard stone walls. The picture is explained by the bystander’s expressions on their faces. Each one is either standing in awe or quickly snapping multiple pictures to document the sight.
This is personally my favorite photo that I have seen on this site. The picture seems to hold my attention with its eeriness. The use of sepia shrouds the picture in a creepy tone. It makes me think of times that have passed. This is exactly the type of scene you see in horror movies and ghost stories. The trees seem open up a lane for the wooden cross to stand. The rock and cross seem to be the only things breaking the monotony of the forest that encloses it. The picture is a sad one, but one that I take as a peaceful end. A quiet end in a beautiful surrounding.
http://qarrtsiluni.com/page/3/ Odds and Ends
This poem raises the universal and forever sought question of religion. Joseph Harker takes a more personal approach to religion. I think his take on religion is very unique. He focuses on why put emphasis in our religion on small things. He talks about how we interest ourselves in such minute things as the luck we adhere to when the year a penny is compared to when you were born. He makes it seem like such acts are futile and useless. He doesn’t believe significance comes from objects that are so small and ordinary. The piece opened my mind up to my thoughts on religion and how I personally feel. I was very impressed with the message of the poem and how the poem was composed. The use of two lines then a gap emphasizes each line and places more importance on them.
http://qarrtsiluni.com/page/5/ The peace movement
M.G. Stephens seems to be giving advice in this wonderful poem he wrote. The poem is trying to send a message of what you should make a habit in your life. Such good things as be kind and ask how others are. It tells you to take time out of your day for what he deems as important. Stop to look at the stars and moon, take in everything around you. The poem tells you to read for at least two hours every day and to write down random thoughts or ideas. It then tells you to love yourself and others; to take care and be well. The poem gives a light air to the thought of making this world a better place. The piece is saying these steps will help to improve our life on earth. The poem outlines how to be a good samaritan. I enjoyed reading this poem and interpreting the message within. The poem also uses soft words to put a positive connotation on all the suggestions.
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