The Fralin Museum of Arts

The Fralin Museum of Arts is a place that shows all different forms of art from different eras. This museum was built to show, teach, and educate those on the works of art.  Going this museum you will experience all different types of sculptures, paintings, collages, and drawings. Every piece of art there had its own meaning. I was told by the instructor in order to understand the art, I was to sit and look and try to determine its meaning. I didn't understand it at first until I saw a piece of art that stood out to my interest. It was a sculpture of a man that looked Chinese and he stood with his hands folded. As I sat and looked at the sculpture I came to realization that it was a sculpture for peace. It was made by a man who sent out the message of relaxation. After analyzing the work I was told to pic several object to draw and make into a picture. The objects I chose were bones, a sculpture of a man, and a feather. The objective of the assignment was to be creative with things that were already created. I enjoyed myself this museum being that I love art; it made me think more of my art work. The instructor pointed out that anything drawn is art, whether it’s decent or not. Going to the Fralin Museum was not what I expected but I would definitely encourage others to enjoy what I did.

The Holocaust Museum

The holocaust museum is where you can experience the life of those who lived during the 40’s. The holocaust is the murdering of six million Jews led by Adolf Hilter and his army of Nazi’s. During this era the Nazi’s were after everyone, gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s witnesses, and the disabled. The museum showed how those who were prisoners had to sleep in bunks that looked like book shelves. They slept three sometimes even four people a bunk each night. They’re living condition was horrible; sometimes they starved and even caught unknown diseases. During this era no one was safe, including children. Nazi’s killed innocent children in retaliation and even to get a point across. There were pictures of kids, parents crying because a family member had to be separated from them to another state. There were plenty of photographs showing destroyed families, facial portraits, and the emotions of some of those who were neglected.  This was the era of war and no one should have lived in it, and going to this museum showed me just what it was like. This museum taught me a lot about the holocaust, some of which I didn't know. My trip to this museum made me feel more thankful for what I have rather than educational. Being that I saw the terrifying era that they lived in, I am proud to be growing up where there is now more peace.

Failure

J.K. Rowling spoke to the graduates of Harvard about how failure is a good thing. She humorously congratulated the class of 2011 and spoke about many of her lifestyle changes. She told about how failure helped her get through life; without it she wouldn't have learned anything. With her failure it brought her to publishing several series of Harry Potter books and also movies. She looked at failure as an option, an option that hurts but heals later on. She looked at failure as something that would help reach a long term goal.     She always wanted to be a writer, ever since she could remember and she went through trials and tribulations to do so.

I personally enjoyed this speech because not only did it make sense but it made me feel better about myself. I always looked at failure as a bad thing; I never thought it was acceptable. As I listened to this speech it made me think about the things that I failed at doing, and made me want to try harder. I studied as a cosmetologist and when it came time for the big test, I failed. I thought that was the end but the more I wanted it the more I tried. Listening to this speech made me think of that because it was well connected. I learned a lot more during those times of failing because I kept trying. I constantly kept the faith and later on achieved all that I worked hard for. Therefore I understand exactly what she means when she said failure is an option, because it is. If you continue to think that things aren't going to wrong for you, how will you know what's actually right? I think this was a great speech and well thought out and put together. I also think she chose the right environment to share it with.

Spring Break

My spring break was fulfilled with many of events. I attended plenty of gatherings and birthday parties that which I made a lot of food. Although the weather was somewhat messy I made the best of it. I spent plenty of my time with my family and some friends as I could. Even though I wished that it would have been a bit longer I still enjoyed myself. I think more so because I didn't have to wake up early for class. Going on spring break made me realize that it wasn't going to be long till second semester was over. During spring break I had decided to move back home and continue my studies there. With that it made me realize how much I would miss some of the people I had grown close to. Knowing that it was only break and not the last day of school it still made me think a lot. I also spent some of my days doing make-up homework. Being that I had nothing but time to get caught up, I put the time to great use. My spring break was fairly different from the others, but I still had a great time.

How ANNOYING The Snow Is

This snow is starting to get very annoying; it snows continuously. I’m sick of seeing it, knowing that it’s supposed to be spring and it keeps constantly snowing. It has affected my entire learning experience for each of my classes. Things have been very rushed since this snow and I don’t like it. Assignments for each class have been due on time even though all the information we needed was not fully provided. I will be over joyed when all this snow has ended so things will get back on track. I feel like all the things I have learned lately have not been fully processed, and a blur. Due to this snow my grades have not been where I want them to be. Although I’m passing things still aren't the same. Even though I had enough time to study, I still think that the snow has messed up everything. My professors aren't showing any sympathy for this snow because they still are going on with assignments that the class has no knowing of. English class really hasn't been happening because of this snow, that’s my reason for writing about the snow. This white mess has ruined everything for me and others.

Assignment #2

Assignment #2 is an essay on a deeper understanding of assignment #1. My essay will be about how parents should and should not use different languages around children. Things such as profanity, slang, and how they should be positive with their choice of words. I think this will be a good ongoing argument due to the vast variety of parents who don't know how to speak around their children. This essay will not only be focused on the importance of words, but also the actions these words bring with them. Knowing that the things that come out of people mouth can take a toll over someone's life is another issue regarding this essay. The assignment is to be 750 words or more and must have 2 reliable sources to follow up on your argument.  I think by having actual research about this situation will help me understand it slightly better. Also it helps me get to the point better and make it more factual. This also will be a lesson for me. This will help me understand the importance of parenting for later in life. It will also be something I can teach to someone else when trying to do the right thing. 

Learning to Read and Write

This story is about a young man who happens to be a slave who wants to learn to read and write. He was taught by his mistress who was strongly dedicated to him reading only books. He lived on a street full of white people which his mistress wanted him to get acquainted with. From the strong intentions his mistress had for him she made sure that her job of getting him to read and write was complete the correct way. She intimidated him as much as she could just so she could be better than her husband. Although as being a slave his obedience was a must, he valued it. The young boy was all for learning to read and write. From learning how to read he learned some of the things that occurred around him. Like the meaning of abolishment and the fact that he’s a slave for life. He knowing that troubled him; it made him hopeless and ready to end his life. A couple of Irish men also gave him the urge of running away but he didn't do it. With his commitment to read and write he chose the path of learning, instead of disobeying.

This young man was a bright person. Even though he was going through unimaginable pain he still chose to do the right thing. He was strong, brave and full of encouragement and it never gave up. He was true believer and deserved much more than he got.

Superman and Me

This story is about a young Indian boy name Sherman Alexie who taught himself how to read and write. He was 3 years old when he first learned how to read, it was a superman comic. He didn’t quite sure know what they book was saying but from the pictures he got a clue. His father who also knew how to read gathered as many books for his home as possible. During this age schools and most Indians wanted kids to have no knowledge. They thought of it as a dangerous situation being that they would know a lot. Although the young Indian boy paid no mind to that he was dedicated to learning how to read and write. All his life every chance he got, he read any book, magazine, newspaper, or anything with words. Most teachers feared his dedication to learning being that all the other kids weren’t like him. As he grew older he got wiser and started to write stories, poems of his own and even taught classes from time to time.

            I think this story is a great learning experience for other little kids who think that they can’t do something. This young boy who was living in an environment with no hope made something of himself by trying. This story gives you the mindset that you can do anything, you just have to want to do it.

The Introduction

First class, Professor Sweeney introduced the class to all the things that we will do over the semester. He told us about the contracts, the schedule, and the syllables and many of the assignments that will take place in the class. The contract states all the things that are expected throughout the semester and what grade you would like to receive. The grade you sign up for is the grade that you will get only if you achieve all of its goals. He also discussed our project grammar schmammar after putting us in groups of four. All groups are supposed to complete two lessons, either power point presented or video recorded to get published on YouTube. Each group has their own set date to complete and present their project. The schedule shows what will conspire each week and also points out the days each group has to present. The syllables is just an overview of everything it shows things about the course, the grading scale, the do’s and don’ts for the course , and things you must know.

Library!

The trip to the library was a well learned adventure. We did a scavenger hunt to get a better understanding on where and how things work there. In a group of four we searched for the basic things of the library. First we had to copy our paper to show that we knew how to do it. It took a few tries but after three tries we finally got it. Then we browsed the RBC website on how to search for books and different types things that are going on in the world. After completing that task we learned that the website is very straight forward; and could also be used at home. Although we didn't know much of all the information, we learned that the librarians are there to provide much help. We also took a trip to the Virginia Room; the room that stored books and different artifacts that stays only in that room. As it came to the closing of the scavenger hunt it came time to present. The entire group stood before the class teaching things that might interest them when going to the library. We learned a lot about the library and the people that came with it.   

02/03/2014

We talked about the reading "Between the Drafts", we also answered questions about the main idea of the story. The story was about a young girl and her German family, telling different stories. She told stories about how her and her family lived their lives and how big a role their German accent played. Her parents use to tell her and her brother plenty of stories they’ve picked up throughout their life. She realized after hearing all their stories that they always had a meaning of teaching a lesson. A lesson of being obedient, thankful, and to do the right thing or if not consequences may follow. She viewed her life as living off of a post card. The most important post card was the one of the Grand Canyon. She dreamed of many things and seeing the Grand Canyon in person was once of them. She was a girl with a wild imagination. She dreamed of things such as her life much older while going to college, and even having a child. The main idea of this story is to think of your life as your own. You authorize your own life so it’s better to think for yourself and let everyone else do the same. Although you may go through some things it’s a part of life, it’s up to you to make it better.