For the past few weeks, we have been assigned a task to create a website on iWeb that relates our journey to the historical journey of someone significant to you. I actually did like doing the assignment, since it allowed me to find out the uses and capabilities of the software iWeb. Another thing was that it was different and allowed us to take on creative liberties with the assignment. Assignments like these are more helpful than reading textbooks. But, one thing I would fix would be the criteria, although I did appreciate the creative freedom brought upon us, it was sometimes difficult, even with a rubric, to know what exactly was wanted for a good score. All in all, I think that this assignment should be done again next year, for it was intriguing and intuitive.

In science class, we were asked to look at this website:

http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/index.html

The task at hand was to write down a summary of patterns and observations that we had observed in the diagrams lay before us.

Summary:

The web page that was shown to me really opened my eyes to how isolated and small we are. I actually do not think there is a word in the English vocabulary that can actually describe how small we are. We are smaller than a grain of sand on all the beaches of the world. This alone may be not even a big enough metaphor. While I was observing the charts, a relative pattern that I have seen, is that the bigger the scope of the universe, the objects that seemed so far away and distant from another ended up to be part of a larger cluster. Than the chain continued on, until the orb of what the known universe looks like is abundant with numerous clusters. I also can see that he universe is spreading apart farther and farther, and we still have yet to know how big it is. I do not know this for sure, but the universe, even though it is spreading farther and farther apart, seems to be connected somehow. We are small, but we may not be alone.

The Day the Earth Stood Still, crappy movie.

4. What conclusions can you draw about the author? Why do you think he/she wrote the text? What beliefs do you think the author might have? Why? Support your response with evidence from the text.

• Does the author tend to write stories with the same/similar themes?
• What audience do you think the author is writing for?
• Does the author inform you, teach you, entertain you, or persuade you? How? Why?
• If you met the author in person, how do you imagine him/her to be? Why?

The director of this film was definitely trying to write an allegory of how we are destroying the environment. This became rather annoying towards even the middle of the film, as no one likes repetitive preaching on a particular opinion on a particular subject. The symbolism of many things was very cliche, making me bored of most of the movie. The action scenes were mediocre, for they lacked intensity. Sorry Keenu Reeves, but even if your an alien, you should be able to show some emotion. Yes, yes, the CGI was good, but only a thin, unprotective veneer of a very cliche plot. In the end, I kind of was wanting the humans to die, because the persistent whining, and our inability to kill one alien was irritating. Keenu Reeves did not add the movie, for this is not the Matrix, where you could have no emotion but the attention is distracted by action scenes, he was an emotion blackhole. Overall, I think the director of this film could have done a better job, such as not trying to push your political will onto our “eco-destroying bent minds.”  The only people who will want to watch this movie are ones who like the monotonous stuff such as the tv show “Dark Angel.” Seriously, if the robot, or spandex dude had enough density in its armor to not be able to be penetrated by diamonds or lasers, it would not be able to land on the Earth without sinking to the core, thus only if gravity did not apply. If not even physics apply to a “science” themed movie, then I guess “intrigue” should not apply to a supposed “blockbuster.” Also, I am pretty sure a truck driver would notice the whole world around him being eaten by cyberbugs (whatever the crap you call them) before not even screaming when he is eaten alive (hello, and he was also on an empty highway in a metropolis?). The indestructible robot just kind of looks like an oversized man in spandex. This “movie” is just a bunch of cliche and unrelated plots put together and masked with a heap of CGI (kind of like someone with too much make up), and in the end tells us why the Earth stood still, because they were amazed at how slow it took for them to realize it was a crappy movie.

Brisingr, by Chirstopher Paolini, Pages 505 – 748

3. Choose one of the unit’s Enduring Understandings and explain how it is exemplified through the text.

• Does one or more of the characters exemplify the enduring understanding? How?
• Does the author convey the enduring understanding?  How?
• Do the events in the story demonstrate the enduring understanding? How?
• Has the text helped you to personalize/internalize the enduring understanding? Explain.

EU: Journey’s can be made by choice or force.

This is very enduring understanding is very evident in the book, Brisingr. Eragon was chosen by a dragon egg to become her rider. This took him on a prolific, dangerous, and ongoing journey that he really has no say in. This shows why the enduring understanding is true to this novel. The author, allows Eragon to occasionally to choose journeys, but overall, like us, he has no real choice in his journey. This did allow me to understand the concept to a larger extent. It related to my life, of how I had to move away from my home, to Shanghai without a choice. The only choices I had were small, like which school to attend. I think Brisngr is a very good indication of this enduring understanding.

Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini, Pages 213 – 504

2. Select 1-2 passages/quotes from the text that hold meaning for you. Explain why you chose the specific passages/quotes, including any significance to the plot, themes, or messages of the book.

• Does the passage give insight into what motivates the characters?
• Does the passage give clues about what will happen later in the plot? (foreshadowing)
• Does the passage illustrate a theme?  Is there more than one passage that supports the same theme?
• Does the passage include language that paints a picture of what the author is describing?
• Does the passage remind you of something you’ve read elsewhere or experienced yourself?

Quote: “And so one should learn from Maghara to never fight one’s fate, for you will lose that which you hold most dear.” – Page 390

This is a very good quote from the book I believe. Eragon’s story about the dragon riders and his fate is very close to the challenges mentioned in the legend he was told. From this passage, Eragon could learn something that would benefit him in many ways. His fate is to destroy Gallbortrix, the main villain in this story, whenever he had tried to escape his fate, a bad thing has happened. I not only believe that Paolini used this legend in the story as a forshadowing of the ending of the book. Which means that Eragon will have to face Gallbortrix no matter what.

1) Write observations you have made about the location of our trip.

The location of our trip will be in Guilin/Yangshuo. It is in the southern east part of China, meaning that it has hot humid weather right now. It is also near a lot of water sources.

2) What does the following quote tell you about the history of Guilin? Has it only recently been a destination for visitors?
“I often sent pictures of the hills of Guilin which I painted to friends back home, but few believed what they saw.”

That the scenery at Guilin looked amazing, almost out of this world. It has been a destination for tourists for centuries.

3) a. Why were canals built throughout the city of Guilin?

This was so then Guilin could be easier accessed by outsiders. Trade would grow is they were able to contact outsiders, and the city soon became a prosperous trading post.

b. When was Guilin declared under the “protection of historical and cultural heritage?” Why would this be important or significant for the city? For the protection of the environment?

4) a. How have Han Chinese ruled Guilin historically? What does this tell you about the ethnic groups that live in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region?

The Han chinese could only rule it by use of force. I think that this means that the ethnic groups there have a strong history of resilience and independence, and that they outnumber the Han.

b. When was the Ling Canal constructed? How did this canal influence the history and economy of Guilin?

The Ling Canal was constructed on the 3rd century B.C.E. It impacted Guilin by turning it into an important trade post.

5) a. Why were canal built throughout the city of Guilin?

It was built by imperial forces so they could transport people and goods there easier.

b. When was Guilin declared under the “protection of historical and cultural heritage?” Why would this be important or significant for the city? For the protection of the environment?

This would be important for the city, since it then meant that the valued historic treasures they had were no longer allowed to be trampled by industrialists. It also protects the natural beauty of Guilin.

c. What are some of the local industries in Guilin?

Medicinal,tires, machinery, fertilizer, goods, tires, machinery, fertilizer, silk, perfume, wine, tea, cinnamon, herbal medicine

d. What are some of the agricultural products? What do these tell you about geography of Guilin?

Shatian Pomelo, summer orange, Fructus Momordicae, ginkgo, moon persimmon, Lipu Tara, Sanhua Alcohol, pepper sauce, fermented bean curd, Guilin Rice Noodle, water chestnut, grain, fish and dried bean milk cream in tight rolls. This shows us that the land at Guilin is very fertile and good for crops.

e. Where you can find a picture of Guilin? Hint – $

6)a.According to the following site http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cebe/eng/hxsz/t71999.htm (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China), which ethnic groups live in the Guangxi Region?

Han, Zhuang, Yao, Miao, Dong, Gelao

b. What evidence tells us that the level of education in Guangxi is still lower than the rest of China?

The literacy rate is lower than the average province in China. The illiterate rate was 3.79%

c. For what reasons do the inhabitants of this region move elsewhere in China? Where do they go?

Primarily because of business and to search for a job. Cities such as Shanghai, which is a prosperous city.

d. The UNICEF article about an internet project here in China tells us a lot about the extent of the digital divide for people in the Guangxi region. What conclusions can you draw about this topic from this information? Identify 2.

i) The people of the Guangxi region lack the technology and computer resources that the eastern China have

ii) The technology that we have today is taken for granted, while many children above our age lack this invaluable resource

7) a. According to Jordan Clary, what is ‘karst topography’?

Karst topography is shown to be many caverns and sinkholes that are formed when limestone or other carbonate rocks are dissolved by water or other means.

b. Explain in your own words what the 4 factors are that created the type of karst seen in Guilin.

i) hard, compact carbonate rock. Devonian limestone is the type Guilin has

ii) You need high altitude areas, the collision of the India with Asia tectonic plates to form the Himalaya.

iii) Climate of high moisture during the summer.

iv) no glaciers ever in the area

c. Whose research did Clary base her information on?

American Geologic Institute.

d. Clary’s article gives us a number of images of Guilin. Identify one that you are looking forward to.

The one with the bike. I like biking and look forward to it and riding with my peers.

Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini. 1 – 212 Pages

1. Write a character analysis, including a description of the character’s traits (at least 3) and supporting evidence for each. (Consider what the character says and does.) Are the characters realistic and believable?

• How would you describe the character’s personality?  What evidence can you use to support your response?
• What strengths does your character exhibit? Weaknesses?
• Does your character change from the beginning to the end?  What causes this change?  Did he or she learning something?  What evidence supports your response?

Roran, is the cousin to the story’s main protaganist, Eragon. I believe that he is one of the pivotal characters in this story. The first chapters of the book show him as a determined man. He is of stronger build than Eragon, and is more resolute in his morales. When he senses those close to him in danger, he stops at nothing to stop the force. I think his one weakness is that his enemies can use people close to him and lure him into a trap. Roran is very headstrong, and often does not think of other consequences at hand when something, like a loved one, clouds his judgement. He is very protective, and loyal to the people he trusts, and is charismatic. A strong ally, a horrible enemy.

1) This work reflects environmental changes, one of the issues that were available for us to express on our dada head. The Dada head reflects what I believe we are doing to the Earth right now (on the other side of the head shows humans mining into the Earth). My sculpture represents how humanity is raping the Earth of its resources and hospitality, many things in this world are now killing the Earth. It also represents how this problem is effecting the whole world, and that we are on the brink of destroying our home. This sculpture is an artwork that represents the hardships Earth is facing due to humanity. I believe that art is one of the best ways to express one’s opinions, and this is how I express mine in this particular issue.

2) I used materials I brought from home, and the materials that were provided to me in class. The materials I used were acrylic paint, paper, model magic, legos, and a mask. I chose this topic since it was the easiest to form a plan of what to do on it. Also, the materials needed for the topic were easily accessible, unlike some other issues that would require some junk searching. I choose these two principles of art, balance, one side of the head has a huge red hole, and lego men in it, but the other side I used a pictures of the world and a caution sign to even it out. The other principle of art incorporated inside the Dada head was variety, I used many colors that complimented each other, 3d and 2d shapes, and holes and flat plateaus building my head. Variety overall allowed my artwork to look more in depth than originally thought.

3) In creating this sculpture, I found that many things often do not go as planned, such as how the end product looks. The imperfection though is the beauty of art, since it gives it a slight mystery to it.I feel that my work thoroughly expresses my feelings on this topic, although a little exaggerated. I discovered that Dadaism was about expressing your views without any real restrictions, because our only boundaries and rules were that it had to be on the head. Artwork is an expression of one’s self, and I believe that I truly discovered that in this project.

The Blindside, Whole Movie

5. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? (To be done after completion of a book.)

• Was the plot interesting?
• Were the characters realistic and believable?
• Did the author use humor, suspense, foreshadowing, or other techniques that you found appealing?
• Did you learn something from this book, or did you find it entertaining?
• What kind of people may like this book? Why?
• How does this book compare to others you’ve read?

I would definitely recommend this movie to people who like the whole rags to riches movies. This is a very cliche movie, with a poor man being taken in by a rich family, who then raises him up into a success story. Personally, I thought that the morales and story were very self evident. Of perseverance, determination, and overcoming obstacles. The acting in the story is believable, although I believe it was trying to hard to be an oscar winning performance. Overall, I would give this movie a 7 out of 10. It is a good movie, but sometimes it feels as if it is trying to hard. It is not the first movie of its kind, nor the last, but it is a movie worth checking out for those who love movies with good ethics, and a storyline of determination and perseverance.

What are the causes and effects of cultural misconceptions?

The causes mainly for misconceptions, prejudice, and stereotypes are false assumptions. The mentioned happen when only a few individuals in a group are used as a standard for how people view them to be. As we have discussed in class, numerous conflicts were due to misconceptions in cultures, such as the crusades, and recently, in the Israel-Palestine conflict, although much more than culture is involved. Cultural misconceptions are sometimes the instigator in conflicts and can be resolved through a more open mind to other cultures.

Why is it important to study cultures from the past?

It is important to study cultures from the past, since then we can learn from the mistakes they made. Also, learning what cultures in the past teaches us how our cultures have evolved. Many of today’s cultures are heavily influenced by cultures of the past, even governments. The past affects the present, the present affects the future.