Kevin’s Blog with an Unoriginal Title™

What prompts a journey?

Journeys can be made by choice or by force. The difference between force or choice is that the people involved in the journey by force had no say or decision whatsoever in going on the journey. An example a journey by force of this is in the Rabbit Proof Fence. The three halfcaste protagonists are taken from their family by a police officer and put into a camp, where they had to take up the culture, religion, and lifestyle of the “white” people. Rabbit Proof Fence also had a journey by choice. The girl protagonists could have just stayed at the camp and lived their lives like “white” people, but instead they chose to run away and risk their lives to reunite with their family. Although they had a hard time at the camp at first, they could have easily adapted but the protagonists came to the mutual agreement that they should escape the conformity.

What constitutes a journey?

A journey can take on many forms. It could be physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, etc. These forms can have some sort of conflict that leads up to the journey itself and involve change. An example of this is in Princess Oreo, the narrator/Oreo has the emotional and social conflict of not fitting in with her peers, because she behaves like a “white” person, despite her “black” skin. The whole journey involves searching for her true personality and being herself, and how she came to realize. In the end her mental state tells her that she should just be who she wants to be and disregard what others think.

French Composition: Quand?

Location

Yangshuo is a city that can be easily accessed from Guilin, which is in Guangxi. Guangxi is located in southern China, and will in turn have higher temperatures. It’s surrounded by a river, and the region is mountainous.

History

Source One

1. It means that the weird mountains, hills and plains affected by the erosion produced an almost unbelievable sight. The erosion in the area caused the terrain to create fissures, sinkholes, underground streams and caverns.

Source Two

1. The Han Chinese people ruled after 9 centuries of attempted invasions. The 12 ethnic groups still exist today in Guilin, which shows that the Han never tried any “ethnic cleansing.”

2. The Ling canal was constructed in 3rd century B.C. It affected the economy by providing water transport for everyone to transport supplies by taking advantage of the water in the surrounding areas.

Source Three

1. Guilin is near the Li River, and the canals were used as easy transport, taking advantage of the water.

2. 1981. This is important because it essentially immortalized the Chinese culture and attractions the city has to offer.

3. Fertilizers, Pharmaceutical, Tires, Machinery, Tea, Wine, Cinnamon,  Silk, Perfume, Herbal Medicine

4. Rice, Water Chestnut, Grain, Fish, Dry Beaned Milk Cream, Tight-roll

5.  20 Kuai Bill

People

1. The link provided to answer this question is not functional. I cannot answer this question.

2. The education rates have been rising recently, which means they haven’t been on-par with China, otherwise it wouldn’t be rising so rapidly.

3. Guilin isn’t the most modern of places, so people can go other places such as Shanghai to find more opportunities in life.

4. The digital divide is much larger in less modern cities such as Guilin. There is less powerful technology, and the activities the people do in Guilin typically require less technology.

Environment

1. “Karst topography is characterised by many caverns and sinkholes that form by the dissolution of limestone or other carbonate rocks.”

2. Limestone, Erosion caused by climate, Area that isn’t above any ice, and an issue that causes the terrain the shift upwards

3. Her work was based on the work of geologist Ray Beiersdorfer.

4. I look forward to the Li River, as it provides great sights to see and is a relaxing place to float around and feel the gentle breezes.

Recently a photo was leaked on the internet of a Dada head, indicating that the Dada Activists were making a comeback. The uploader was tracked to SkyNet, a company that has been known for promise and potential in the technology industry. Today an official statement was released:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

This work reflects technology and advancements in tomorrow’s world. The future will have even more progressions and inventions that enhance lifestyle. The sculpture represents the concept of technology being completely integrated in human life-forms, or vice-versa. It can be perceived as either humans using technology as a peripheral in life, or as technology using humans. At SkyNet, our aim is to utilize self-aware robotics and allow them to mimic human flesh and live among humans. This Dada head is the target art that we are aiming for to bring T-100s to the world and make it a better place.

According to the artist’s notes, the materials used were rather simple. He used Model Magic to mold the evident robotic look, and metal wire to enhance the technologic feel. Then paint, images printed from the internet (powered by SkyNet) and glue show the human aspect of the Dada head. The Dada head represents technology and tomorrow’s world because it lets the world know that this may be what the future has in store for them. It was easy to let the artist be as creative as possible to mold a vision of the future. The art principles used were contrast and balance.  They were chosen because it can show the balance between the future and the present, and contrasting the differences. This was done by using very different colors of paint between the technology and human aspects. Then the model magic was positioned in a way that it is in balance with the “human” side of the Dada art, which was made of paper. The asymmetrical balance is done by having the large “robotic” chunk and several smaller pieces of “human” that are visually equivalent to the “robotic” side.

Through the creation of the sculpture, the engineers at SkyNet have a better concept design to make our products after. It gave a visual representation for us to follow. We at SkyNet think that some of the proportions should be fixed, and the printed papers that represented the human side should be more “fitting”. Other than that, it is a rather superb work of concept art provided by an anonymous Dada artist. A discovery we made with this Dada head is that this piece of art itself is a confirmation that there are some things people can do that mechanical robots can’t. Dexterity and creativity is something robots cannot imitate from human life.

The future is near, with SkyNet.

Terminating problems of today, for a better tomorrow.

How do cultural misconceptions impact human thought and behavior?

Cultural misconceptions are what is thought to be true about a culture when it truly isn’t. These misconceptions lead to assumptions and can change the perspective of people and how they view others based on their culture. This is similar to a stereotype and can lead to unintentional prejudice. A common cultural misconception that ties into Shanghai is that foreigners can’t speak the local language (in this case, Chinese) and that they are very different. As a result they are treated differently, mostly ignored and not even bothering to communicate in Chinese, when some of them do speak the language. There are many other examples, and this is just one of them.

Another example comes from when Betty Barr came to our school to talk to us about her experience in Shanghai. One of the misconceptions was that all the Japanese people in general were evil when really the guards of the internment camps weren’t as evil as films and other media such as newspapers depicted them.

What role do cultural values play in human relations?

Cultural values are essential in human relations. Human friendships are most likely between two different cultures. There are so many unique cultures in the world with different beliefs, traditions and more, and for human relation to work, they need to put aside each other’s differences. Misconceptions, prejudice, racism and stereotypes also play a role in human relations and can determine whether or not a tie between two nations would work or not. Conflicts can happen over cultural values and differences, and things can go very wrong. A very common example used is the ethnic cleansing of the Jewish people in World War II. The Nazi German troops led by Adolf Hitler to exterminate all Jewish people just because of their religion.

Kevin – Cultural-monologue-rubric

Space travel has always been a thought of curiosity in the minds of many human beings. Knowing that we now how the technology to keep people alive in space is even more intriguing. However, it costs far more money than many people would dream of having, and their lives are put at risk. Space has never been the safest of places and mistakes happen.

Although I don’t question the powers of science and technology, colonization would be very hard to run, as it requires constant oxygen supplying from a remote source and other essentials such as water and heat would be a problem. In my opinion, it’s impractical at this time to be considering space colonization.

Right now space travel is being introduced at a more commercial level for regular people to experience space in a much closer point of view. It is expensive and allows people to see the novelty of space.

I think that space exploration right now is too expensive and not too much of a priority at this point. We don’t need to relocate our homes to a different planet at this point in time, and we can use technology to be sent out into space to feed our needs to learn about the unknown. In conclusion, space exploration is not quite worth the cost, but in the future it may be a possibility.

Clarifying Questions

• What is the Conflict?
  The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) organization believes that the Nigerian government is corrupt. The Nigerian government controls the petroleum in Niger Delta, as well as the wealth, and MEND believes that the government is using the wealth to the government’s benefit instead of sharing it with the people of Niger Delta. The government of Nigeria however, thinks that the organization of MEND is preventing the development and progression of the country through serious acts of crime such as bombings and killings.
• What  groups are involved?
  MEND and the Nigerian government
  
  
• Where is the conflict taking place?
  Niger Delta
• How long has the conflict been going on?
  While MEND was formed in 2005, the conflict sparked in the 1990s between the government and some of the people of Niger Delta and foreign oil companies.

Probing Questions

• What assumptions are being made about the conflict?   (consider news/media)
  It is a common assumption that MEND typically uses violence and acts of crime in order to get their messages across.
• What bias exists in these assumptions? (consider the source)
  Western media companies such as BBC are from countries that heavily rely on petroleum, possibly from Nigeria. This means that they may have a perspective that goes against MEND.
• What role do cultural values play in the conflict?
  The locals of Niger Delta may support MEND because they fight for communal wealth from the petroleum.
• How has this conflict been perpetuated over time?  What influence has the past had on the present? (social institutions, mass media, political institutions, economics)
  The conflict really hasn’t changed, as both sides refuse to compromise and have been a locked conflict and has done nothing but escalate.

Sources

Wikipedia. “Conflict in Niger Delta.” Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_in_the_Niger_Delta>.

Hanson, Stephanie. “MEND: The Niger Delta’s Umbrella Militant Group.” Council on
Foreign Relations. N.p., 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 30 Mar. 2010.
<http://www.cfr.org/publication/12920/>.

BBC. “Nigeria’s shadowy oil rebels.” British Broadcasting Company. N.p., 20 Apr.
2006. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/
4732210.stm>.

Wikipedia. “Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta.” Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 1
Apr. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Movement_for_the_Emancipation_of_the_Niger_Delta>.

Connors, Will. “Nigerian Rebel Who ‘Taxes’ Your Gasoline.” Time Magazine <http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1809979,00.html>.

Onuah, Felix.”Acting Nigeria President firms up rule with cabinet sack” The Globe and Mail <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/acting-nigeria-president-firms-up-rule-with-cabinet-sack/article1504272/>

1. What is Dada about?
   Dada is an art movement during World War I. It protested against what they thought was the source of conflict and turmoil- the social systems.
   
2. How would you know Dada Art if you saw it? List 3 key characteristics.
   - Most Dada art pieces are in illogical formats
   - Somewhat abstract
   - Rebellious; went against many art principles
   
3. What things influenced Dada Art besides World War 1?

   Dada art was influenced by the types of art at the time trying to set new standards of art, such as expressionism and abstraction.
   

4. Name 4 artists who created Dada Art. Include pictures of their work.

   -Man Ray
   
   -Jean Arp
   
   -Marcel Duchamp
   

   -Hannah Höch
   
   

5. What is surrealism about?
   Surrealism was an art movement that developed from Dada art. It is art that has more meaning to it than that of art with realistic art. Surrealism uses the element of surprise by making things look very unreal yet having lots of significance
   
6. Define juxtaposition.
   Juxtaposition is when objects are placed side by side in order to create a visual effect.
   
7. Dada – Is it art?

   From the perspective of Dada artists, it wasn’t. It was a rebellious type of “anti-art” to protest against what they thought was wrong. To me, it seems like nonsensical abstract art. However, art is art and I still consider it art.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/features/index.asp?article=f020810_afghan

Afghanistan: How We Got Here

Guiding Questions for Research

What is the issue?
The issue is the war in Afghanistan that is still going on after nearly 9 years. The battle isn’t progressing and lives are being lost as a result of the war.

Which groups are involved?  What is each group’s position on the issue?

• United States – Counter-attacking and bringing justice to the terrorists responsible for instigated attacks such as 9/11 and to help restore order.
• Taliban – Soldiers that fought in the Soviet War in Afghanistan that wanted to restore order to a nation shaken with conflict. After growing with power, the Taliban became oppressive and more in control of Afghanistan. To them, their actions are for the greater good of their country.
• Al Qaeda – An Islamic network of people that spread the word of their one “true” religion, regardless of consequences of their actions.

What are the cultural values and beliefs of each group involved?

Patriotism and Religion are two key factors that play into this war. Al-Qaeda carry out acts of violence and terrorism for the sake of religious beliefs and spreading the word, and the Taliban do what they do for the sake of a better home.
What role does the past play in the present issue?
The past played a massive role in the War in Afghanistan, and essentially led to it happening. The Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan caused the majahedeen (”holy warriors”) to eventually evolve into the Taliban. The Taliban started out as majahedeens who wanted to recover and help form a better country and were quickly accepted into society since a war had just recently finished and everyone was shaken from the battles. The Taliban later helped create Al-Qaeda, which led to the September 11th Attacks in New York, which caused the US Army to deploy in Afghanistan.
How might each group perceive the other, based on cultural differences and/or stereotypes?

We might perceive the Middle Eastern people in general as terrorists and typical criminals. This could be due mainly to how different our cultures are. There are language barriers and different religions that we don’t understand as much as the Middle Eastern people do. The media doesn’t help, either, with definitely bias reports on sensitive subjects such as Middle Eastern wars.

I think some of the Middle Eastern people might even perceive us differently, too. Many could be afraid since the US Army seems like some sort of super-power that shouldn’t be messed around with, and others (such as Al-Qaeda) can think of the Americans as obstacles that have to be destroyed, or enemies that are trying to undermine them.

Cultural differences and even things as simple as different languages can cause lots of misconceptions and assumptions.

a)Click on the image to view it in full size

b) The dry ice that was experimented with would melt quick slowly, but would turn into gas and would not become liquid as it vaporized.

c)

The comet is composed of three main parts. the nucleus, the coma, and the tail. Clusters of dust and gases form a glowing outer layer called a coma. The tail is made of dust and gases trailing from the coma. When the comet approaches a certain distance from the sun, the coma heats up and some of the dust and gas begins to trail behind it, forming the tail. The nucleus is the solid inner core of a comet.

d) Scientists believe that most comets are found in either the Kuiper belt or the Oort Cloud. The Kuiper belt is a ring-shaped region in the solar system that extends beyond Neptunes orbit to roughly 100 times Earth’s distance from the sun. The Oort Could is a spherical region of comets that surround the solar system far away, out to more than 1000 times the distance between pluto and the sun! Comet orbits are elliptical, which takes them close to the sun and takes them extremely far away.  When it is close to the sun, the gas and dust tails form. It then loses its tails as it backs away from the heat of the sun.

e) Comets are essential because they are the “left-overs” from the formation of the solar system, so it is important to consider to chemical mixes and conditions under which the solar system’s planets formed billions of years ago.

f) NASA is currently studying “Small Bodies of the Solar System” which include comets and other various things in the Kuiper belt and the Oort Cloud. They are using various space telescopes to study those small bodies in the solar system.

Theo Van Doesburg was an artist and an architect. He began to create geometric abstract art pieces after inspiration from Piet Mondrian’s work. Van Doesburg was essential to the forming of the De Stijil art group, featuring artists and other architects. This relates to the project because most of his and the work of De Stijil were very abstract and very geometric.

Abstraction is taking something comprehendible and changing it in a way that makes it very convoluted and hard to understand. It becomes much harder to know what the final product is because it is highly simplified. The common methods of abstraction include changing parts of the artwork into geometric or organic shapes. Many art elements are left out, yet some are extremely emphasized. For example, line, and shape become more focused on while texture is left out because the work is “flattened.”

Taking a realistic sketch and changing it into an abstract piece of art took four steps. Each step essentially meant to gradually simplify the original sketch until it reaches a point in which it doesn’t even look like the original realistic sketch. Step two begins to change the form of the artwork so that it looks simple, yet it retains the shading and lighting effects. Step three flatens the image and begins to blow out of proportion and the final step is essentially taking step three and moving things around, making sure it has no form whatsoever relating to the original sketch.

1. How would you define ethnicity in two sentences or less?

Ethnicity is a group of people that share common traditions. These traditions can vary in many forms such as religion, cuisine, history, language, origins, and much more.

2. Based on the definition you wrote for #1, how can you relate your ethnicity?

My ethnicity influences my actions everyday. What I eat, language, daily activities, etc. Since my parents are Chinese, some of the cultural traditions have converged into Canadian culture. I eat Chinese food a majority of the time, but I mostly speak English and attend schools with a different curriculum. I see ethnicity everywhere I go. People’s personalities, traditions and behaviors are all effected by ethnicity. The whole social system is affected by ethnicity and it relates to me in that way.

3.What do you know of Esperanza’s ethnicity based on what you have read so far?

Esperanza’s ethnicity is based on Latin traditions and such, but it has her own unique style to it. Her curiousity and behavior is by no means influenced by her ethnicity. Esperanza has ambition, and dreams of a different lifestyle, as opposed to what her family is content with.

Here are my audition tracks for my High School Orchestra audition. Please note that my Double-bass strings at home are not of the greatest quality and frequently makes odd squeaking sounds while playing. Also, the music files are rather soft (blame my microphone issues), so you may need to turn up the volume to hear it.

Right click the links and click Download

Kevin’s Scales – HS Orchestra Audition

Kevin’s Extract – HS Orchestra Audition

Scales:

1. F major scale two octaves, no vibrato

2. E minor scale two octaves with vibrato

3. Off-the-string study

Extract:

Concerto Grosso (George Frideric Handel), Bars 29 to 34

The Anne Frank movie was based off the true events in the Diary of Anne Frank. This took place during World War II and to my background knowledge was about a 13 year old Jewish girl living in Amsterdam whose life was turned upside down when her Jewish family had to go into hiding during the war. The movie depicted the reality of how life was in hiding from German troops who had just at the time occupied the Netherlands.

The most evident enduring understandings present in the movie were “Human rights are affected by systems of government”, “Social change begins with an individual or small group”  and “Human rights are impacted by the perception of the majority.” The rights of the Jewish people were severely impacted when the Nazi government of Germany declared the Jewish to be inferior, and began exterminating them.