Journal 20

 What are you most excited about for the rest of Senior year? Do you have exciting plans after high school? (Use this journal as a way to reflect on this class, your high school career, your plans for the future, etc. Just like you made a post introducing yourself the first week of class, now write a post(with a positive spin) about where you've been and where you plan to go!).

I'm excited for graduation, and grad bash. I's also really excited for prom, but i'm going to Otsego's and i don't know yet if i'm going to go to Allegan's. Also i'm kind of excited for new classes next tri. After highschool i'm going to college not exactly sure where yet but more then likely to south western michigan college, but hopefully GRCC.

Journal 19

What did you think of the book? Give specific reasons why (not just "It was dumb"). Tell me what was interesting, what was challenging, what bigger ideas the book discussed. At the end, include your favorite book of Senior English (A and B) and a reason why (this will help me make decisions for next year!).

I liked the book, it was different then any of the other books we've been required to read in English class. I like that the language in the book wasn't censored and it was how people really talked during that time. The bigger idea of the book was that Holden was traumatized from Allies death and he was trying to protect everyone else from becoming an adult that he wasn't helping himself. 
 My favorite book from senior English was probably the great gatsby, just because i wanted to read it before this class.  

Directions: Off from the lines attached to the symbols, explain as much as you can about the significance of each symbol in Catcher.  Consider these questions: What does it mean?  Why does it matter in the story/for Holden?  What does it teach us/show us about Holden?  

Holden’s Red Hunting Hat: I think Holden's hat is like a type of security blanket for him, like something he feels more comfortable in when he has it on, no matter what situation he is in. But is also ashamed to wear it. It matters to him because it makes him feel protected. And it shows us that Holden is not yet grown up as much as he likes to act like he is.

Allie’s Baseball Mitt: The mitt in the book is Allie, its the only thing Holden has of Allies that is talked about. It tells us that Holden is holding onto his brother and is afraid to accept that he is gone. 

The Ducks in Central Park: The ducks are Holden's way of trying to find advice. Hes wondering where the ducks go like hes wondering what he is supposed to do next about his life, school and his parents.

Jane: “She kept all her kings in the back row.”: It means that she holds her morals and doesn't let people just use her. Like she wouldn't of went out with Holden's roommate just because she thought he was good looking or anything like that. In the book this is part of the reason Holden doesn't just ask her out because hes afraid he wont meet her standards and she will deny him. 

journal 16

DEAR ABBY: I can't seem to do anything right these days. I just got expelled from school- the 3rd
since I started high school. I decided to just leave school right away instead of waiting for vacation to
officially start, and I'm currently hiding out for a few days in New York. I don’t really have any friends
that I can talk to, and the only person that I can stand to be around is my little sister.
Along with school issues, I also seem to be very confused where girls are concerned. A girl I had a crush
on for years just went out with my roommate, and I’m worried that something sexual may have
happened between them. Not only that, but I can't seem to get it together with any girls. I called up this
one girl that my brother used to know, but I messed up and ruined the chance to get together with her.
Then, I was in this club with these three girls, and they treated me awful-they ignored everything I said
and then let me pick up the check for all three of them! Then I got together with a girl I used to date to
go to a matinee, and even though I don’t really like her, I ended up asking her to run away with me.
Girls really drive me crazy.
Also, I’ve been thinking about my dead brother a lot and wondering who would show up to my funeral
if I died. I find myself sitting in Central Park and wondering where the ducks go. What is wrong with
me? What can I do to start solving some of my problems? – LOST IN NY

DEAR LOST: Regarding school look back at what you did wrong at each school and make a note of it to do those things differently at the new school. Hiding out in New York many not have been the best idea sense it just may get you into more trouble with your family. Also you should try to talk to your little sister or find someone you trust to talk to, maybe even make a new friend. As for your women issues don't rush it, everything comes with time. I wouldn't worry so much about the girls. The girl that went out with your roommate, honestly you should just talk to her because your never going to know how she feels about you or if she even likes your roommate until you talk to her about it. The girl you use to date, i'd let that go, you two didn't work out the first time for a reason so more then likely it wouldn't work now either. I can't tell you who exactly will show up to your funeral, but the nicer you are to people the more people will like you and the people that like you are the people that will go to it. Also i'm very sorry about your brother, but remembering him is the was to show you love and care about him. I'm almost positive the ducks fly south, as most ducks do. There is nothing wrong with you, everyone has there problems and everyone just has to work though them, your young and again everything in learned with time through past mistakes. Live and learn, no one is perfect. As for solving the problems, take it one step at a time, and don't try to fix everything over night.

journal 15

What lies does Holden tell on the train? Why do you think he does this? What does this say about his mental state?
He lies and says he's someone else, also says he was going to NYC to have a brain tumor operation. I think he lies because he doesn't want the lady to tell her son and it get around the school. It just says that he isn't good at facing his problems, he wants to run from them.

journal 14

 Holden values Allie's mitt. Write about an artifact that means that much to you. Include details like what it is, what it looks like, where you got it, how long you've have it, where you keep it, who you show it to, why it's important to you, etc. 

I have these little porcelain statues of little girls holding numbers, i have 12 of them and each holds a number from 1 to 12. My grandma used to buy me one every year for my birthday and i got the number the figure was holding on the day i turned that age. My grandma gave me my first 11 of them and she had bought the 12 one but passed away from cancer before giving it to me on my birthday but had given it and a card to my mom to give to me on my 12th birthday. I keep them in my moms curio cabinet that is in our dinning room. And i don't show anyone them, and no one has ever noticed them and asked what they were. There important to me because it was something special from my grandma and i cherish it because i know ill never get the rest of the collection because she passed away. 

journal 13

Discuss how Holden copes with the world around him. What sorts of things does he do? Why do you think this is the case? What might be better strategies for him to deal with his feelings/ emotions?

Holden doesn't cope with the world around him very well, he acts like he never really cares, like not caring if he has good grades, and not caring if he gets kicked out of prep school. Instead of just not caring, he should find other things to focus on instead. 

journal 11

1.       People tend to notice when you act younger than you are, not when you act older than you are.              Agree                                       Disagree
Reason/ Explanation:

      I agree because when you act older then your age usually people just think your older, but when you act younger they can tell your a 15 year old acting like your 12.

2.      Jocks always hang out together.               Agree                           Disagree
Reason/ Explanation:

 I don't agree with this, i mean yes a lot of the jocks hangout together, but there are a select few that have other groups of friends. 

3.       Only well-educated people can make a difference in the world.       Agree            Disagree
Reason/ Explanation:

 This isn't true there has been plenty of people that didn't go to college and have impacted the lives of many people, it just takes determination. 

4.      It’s okay to tell a lie if it makes somebody feel good.                  Agree               Disagree
Reason/ Explanation:

 Even when you don't want to hurt someones feelings, if your there true friend you would find a nice way to tell them the truth. 

5.      I never care too much when I lose something.                 Agree                           Disagree
Reason/ Explanation:

 I hate losing anything, no matter what it is. Like my mascara i just bought and can't find now, I don't know if i lost it or a friend took it but its been driving me crazy!

6.       Money always causes trouble.                   Agree                           Disagree
Reason/ Explanation:

 Money doesn't always cause trouble if the person with the money knows how to use it correctly and not just spend it on anything. Also it doesn't always cause trouble but it sometimes is hard when you don't have the money. 

7.      You have to let children make mistakes so they can learn from their decisions.

Agree                           Disagree

            Reason/ Explanation:

Even when you tell kids not to do something and don't allow them to do stuff, they will find a way to do it anyways.

Journal #10

What did you think of the novel? Give specific details as to what was good and what you thought could have been better. Give constructive feedback not just, "the book was dumb". You will not earn credit for that type of response.

I liked the book, but i feel the ending could have been better. They didn't really do anything but blow up the city but how would that solve all the problems, because who said all the people died. And if they were to rebuild things could go back to how they were. The also didn't really tell what was going to happen next after everything was destroyed. I did like the twist on the firemen being the bad people in society though, it made the book interesting. 

Journal #9

What did you learn from yesterday's MeL exercise? How did it shape your plan to research? What topic did you decide on? How did you come to this conclusion? How will you approach researching your topic based on what you learned yesterday and our discussion on credible sources? Be specific.
I learned about the website, but i still dont really understand how to use it, its very confusing! I haven't picked a topic for my research project yet either. I will probubly try to use MeL to research but i may also use other credible sources too!

MEL Assignment

Choose 3 books you would like to read for choice reading off of MEL, the Michigan electronic library. Then put the name of the book, author, and i description of why you would read it.

The Rescue by Nicolas Sparks, I chose this book because i like this author and its one of the books hes wrote that i haven't read yet.

The Beach House by Jane Green, The book seems like its kind of written like other authors i like, and also the book seem to have an interesting plot.

The Pretend Wife by Julianna Baggott, In this book a lady pretends to marry and ex boyfriend because his dying mother wants to see him married but she then realizes the family shes left behind. This book is a little different then my taste but it seems interesting.