Blogger has helped me in so many ways. It has been a value to me as a student because I am given the opportunity to read other peoples ideas if I am stuck. Most of the time I have a difficult time figuring out how to bring my topics about and blogger has helped in a big way with that. Once I get an idea from someone else's writing, something just clicks in my head and I get everything else figured out. It has helped me as a writer by having the chance to do posts every weekend. The good side of having to do that is wanting your writing to progress every week. I like the fact that we know each week there will be a paper to be done over the weekend. There is never excuses that the students didnt know they had something and also cant say they lost it. The fact that it needs to be done over the computer is also a great help. I know by experience that once I start typing it gets hard to stop. It makes it easier for my thoughts to come out quickly. I feel that this program been a great help to us all. In other classes there are always books to write in and things that can become lost. This set up encourages students to want to do their homework each week. One suggestion that I have for further bloggings is to be able to see the grade which we received for that paper. I like to know what my outcome was to my final piece. A thing I do like and would like to keep happening is when the teacher comments on our writing. I like to see what he feels about what we wrote and not just get a letter grade. Us being able to see EVERYONES writings and not just our class like usual give us to opportunity to get to know those students a little better. We are unable to know how they learn or what their likes and dislikes are but the person they are comes out in their writings. All in all this program has brought us all closer.

The Great Gatsby

You may still be asking who Jay Gatsby is. Some said he was a bootlegger while others thought a killer. In reality, he was just like you and me. He had a house, a life, and what may be surprising, feelings. Gatsby knew what he wanted in life and did everythingin his power until it was achieved. Daisy was the love of his life but there were some things blocking his way of getting and Tom Buchanan was his main fear. This is where Nick Carraway, Gatsby's neighbor comes in. Them too lived right next door together, the only difference was Gatsby lived in a mansion while Nick had the usually small house. These two men were actually not a like at all. Nick wasn't the sociable and probably will never begin his own family. Gatsby was the complete opposite. He lived the party life, inviting guests over to he house every weekend and knew who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Nick never really understood Gatsby. He just always felt like there were secrets or things that were left untold for the better. When Nick started getting invites to all the parties and even better an invite to lunch with this great Gatsby he knew something was up. Jordan Baker also had involvement with Gatsby's plan. She and Nick knew each other from Daisy and liked each other from the start. Since Gatsby knew just about everyone, he set up a date with the three of them in order to try and reunite him and Daisy. His explanation was that she never loved her husband Tom. They met when he was a solider with no set plan for life. He didn't have much money at the time and knew he was going to be called back to do his duty. Even though it was like love at first sight they both knew it wouldn't work till a later time .Daisy met Tom while Gatsby was in the war. She still was unsure about Gatsby on her wedding day. Daisy didn't know if he was going to come back to her or just find someone knew. Little did she know, Gatsby knew every detail about her life once he was informed of Tom. Nick finally agreed to have an arrangement for Daisy to come over for tea. This was the first time they saw each other since years ago. It was a little awkward at first but then that love that they once had for each other came out. Now Tom was the a cheater throughout the last few years of Daisy's life which helped her with her chioce. She knew the day was soon to come that she would leave her husband but was just waiting for the right reason. As soon as her and Gatsby kicked it off she knew that this was going to be the end of her marriage and the start of something new. In order for it to not look bad, Daisy started inviting Tom to the gettogether that her Nick and Gatsby would have. As time progressed Tom got the impression that something fishy was going on. When he confronted everyone they made it as if they had no idea what he was talking about. Tom knew exactly what he was talking about. This is where Tom mistress comes in. Her name was Myrtle Wilson. She also had a husband that was well aware of the affairs that were going on. On the last few weeks of these peoples lives a lot happened. As everyone was driving home after a long hot day offighting, Nick, Tom, and Jordan drove in one car while Daisy and Gatsby rode in other. On the drive home, Daisy and Gatsby got into a little accident which resulted in the death of Myrtle. Now Daisy had no idea that her husband had any connection with this women. The car they were driving was Gatsby’s and Tom knew this. When Myrtle’shusband, George Wilson, was on a streak to finding her killer he was asking of the car. Once he got to Tom, he had no problem opening his mouth to saying it was Gatsby's. He didn't want this man with his wife. As much as he was upset for losing his mistress, he knew he would never live with the fact that his wife left him for another man. Not knowing what Mr. Wilson was up to, Tom gave him the address to Gatsby's house. This was Jay Gatsby and George Wilson’s last day to live. Gatsby was shot and then Mr. Wilsontook his own life. All Gatsby wanted was love and to be loved by one he loved. He never meant any harm when doing this but just wanted what he knew he couldn't have and what wasn't his to begin with.

After reading the first couple chapters of "The Great Gatsby", I have come to know some things about the two main characters. Nick Carraway was raised to never be judgemental which explains his reasonings to why he never listened to what people said about Mr. Gatsby. Nick is a lonely man but has a great deal of not showing it. I feel he wants to have someone in his life but isn't really sure if he is ready for a family just yet. I met many if his friends throughout the book but it seems like he is still always the outcast when hanging with everyone. I also feel that Nick is being tested throughout the book on his judgmental skills.
Now for Jay Gatsby, his wealthy neighbor. As I read, not many people knew much about him. Its not that the man keeps to himself, its just hes never engaged to talk about himself. His money is from past family wealthiness which was mostly passed down to just him. Gatsby comes off as someone who is willing to give to anyone who needs it. He just wants to live his life to the fullest before it is over. He is a wear of all the stories which are told about him but has a really hard time convincing people that they are not true. Hopefully as I read more I get to know each character better.

Living in the earth-deposits of our history Today a backhoe divulged out of a crumbling flank of earth one bottle amber perfect a hundred-year-oldcure for fever or melancholy a tonic for living on this earth in the winters of this climate.Today I was reading about Marie Curie:she must have known she suffered from radiation sickness her body bombarded for years by the element she had purified It seems she denied to the end the source of the cataracts on her eyes the cracked and suppurating skin of her finger-end still she could no longer hold a test-tube or a pencilShe died a famous woman denying her wounds denying her wounds came from the same source as her power.
Rich's poem has a lot of emotion built in. This woman she is explaining has problems from a terrible sickness. She writes how this woman refused to addmit there was a sickness when saying, "She denied to the end." Rich tries to get across the lonelyness in this woman's life as her ending days approach. How she was unaware of what was happening to the changing of her body but still faught through it all. I feel the title is this poem deal with exactly that. The power in which this women indulged into during her sickness.

Adrienne Rich was born on May 16, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland. Sher dealt with many problem when growing up involving her father's Jewish background and mother's Protestanism. All her life she was very close to her father and under his protection and guidance she began writing poetry. The years of 1953 to 1958 were also very difficult for Rich.In those few years she got married and had three sons. This changed both her life and poetry. She went through a ton of distress while letting her feelings and emotions out in her writings as actual art. Her peices became one of the most elaquent, provocative voices on the topics of sexually, race, language, power and womens rights. In 1997, she refused the National Medal of Arts, stating that "I could not accept such an award from President Clinton or this White House because the very meaning of art, as I understand it, is incompatible with the cynical politics of this administration." She went on to say: "[Art] means nothing if it simply decorates the dinner table of the power which holds it hostage."Adrienne Rich - Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Her works of writing are of America because what she came out to say involved details and actions about the happenings of that time period. She formed her thoughts from the surroundings in her everything life.
I dreamed I called you on the telephone to say:
Be kinder to yourself but you were sick and would not answer
The waste of my love goes on this way trying to save you from yourself
I have always wondered about the left-overenergy,
the way water goes rushing down a hill long after the rains have stopped
or the fire you want to go to bed from
but cannot leave, burning-down but not burnt-down
the red coals more extreme, more curiousin their flashing and dying
than you wish they weresitting long after midnight

Kate Chopin

A Pair of Sild Stocking & Lilacs by Kate Chopin
Marcel Castelli
Kate Chopin expresses her writings in a unique way. She uses words of today rather than those of the the American Romantics. These stories are sometimes hard to comprehend because the use of the old language can puzzle the reader. The progression in writing has increased since these time periods for the better. Kate and other writers make thier stories more interesting and enjoyable to read. She includes some suspense into her writings which makes us want to further read to get to the ending. Another part of Kate's writings that interested me was how she would end her stories. The reader is able to use thier own imagination in ending the story becuase she doesnt just come out and say it. She leaves you with little details which can mean multiple things could have happened.
When reading ''A Pair of Silk Stockings'', I saw how Kate was trying to bring out a young woman with some issues. She has this money which is a large amount in her eyes but is unsure as to what should be done with it. She first thinks of her children and how they are in a big need of new clothes but somehow becomes very greedy. She goes out and buys all new things for herself. I feel that the theme if this story is money doesn't by love. The women is enjoyinh all her nice and expensive clothes and accessories thinking it was going to change other peoples' veiw of her when in realilty that is not what people want. What matters to people is the person inside. Maybe Kate wrote this because she may realize people act this way although the outcome of this fake life style doesn't always come with love.
One the other hand, when reading ''Lilacs'', I got the impression that this woman is stuck between two different lives. She has the fun but hardworking life and then the being a nun worshiping God side. She is undeicied of what she really intends to do. While caught in her confusion the other nuns agree that they are fed up with visits if she is just going to go back to her daily routine once she leaves. They agree to let her know she is unable to come back. I belive the theme of this story is deceit. She is confused about which life to follow and misleads herself and those around her. She figures that going back and holding onto the better life would make her a better person when in realilty thats just in her head. The nuns become mad because they know she wasn't trying with her whole heart. Kate could have experienced or know somone who was unaware of the path thier life would lead. She is thinking you cant change your ways unless you really put your mind to do it. Thinking it and doing it are two different actions and sooner or later the people you are trying to convince aren't going to believe you anymore.
I think Kate is trying to get her words out to all growing people. She is trying to give lessons on how people should be living by giving real life experiences. When reading these stories I get the big picture on life. A person can not go about all parts of life in a careless manner. I feel you should have somewhat of a plan to go by in order to live out your life correctly. If you are still unaware of what u want by your middle ages then you need to start looking fast. Something that drew me very close to Kate is just that reason. She takes her views on a different level. Kate is trying to get out what most people are scared to say. If you are still lost by the middle ages you're not going to want to announce it and also, if you are a selfish person you're not going to want to admit that. I like the fact that Kate makes her writings interesting and make me want to keep reading. Like I said before, she adds suspense which makes you want to just see what happens in the end. In the story “Lilacs”, Kate writes, ‘But Adrienne did not delay her respects to the Mother Superior, whose dignity would not permit her to so much as step outside the door of her private apartments to welcome this old pupil. She kissed Adrienne without warmth….’ After reading this section of the story I now know there is tension between some of the nuns and Adrienne which makes me want to engage more into the story.
Overall I was pleased with the ideas of Kath Chopin's stories and wish to find more on her. She brings interests into her words which many writers lack. For any student to understand and enjoy a story, they have to find interest in it. If not, they are going to find themselves straying away from the meaning of the story. Kate doesn't have this problem and gets her points across very well.