Frankenstein by Rachel Raffino

Frankenstein

The new book we are starting in English is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The following post will be all about the background of Frankenstein.

Shelley was born on August 30th, 1797 in London England. In 1816 she married Percy Bysshe Shelley, and shortly after wrote her most famous novel Frankenstein also known as The Modern Prometheus. The idea of writing Frankenstein started when her and a small group of friends read ghost stories on a rainy day, and wanted to try handwriting their own books. Since then Frankenstein has been adapted into films, tv shows, and children's books and even halloween costumes. The story of Frankenstein has even inspired real life procedures, like the head transplant we will be discussing in class.

Everyone knows the basis of the story; the scientist named Frankenstein creates a monster made from the body parts of dead people, and when the monster comes alive, Frankenstein get scared and runs away. Only to go back to the laboratory to find the monster has fled. The story is told mostly through the perspective of Mr. Frankenstein. A few other characters by the names of Frankenstein (the monster), Dr. Henry Clerval, Elizabeth Lavenza, and Captain Walton.

Today, there are many new versions of Frankenstein such as Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and The Curse of Frankenstein, and many more. One famous quote in this book spoken by Frankenstein states “So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein — more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.” This is just the start of Frankenstein's fascination and lust for exploration of strange experiments.   

Hopefully this book will interest us, and spark lots of discussion in our classes yet to come.

A summary of the Novel Compound By George Mysh

A Summary Of the Novel Compound

                                                                         By George Mysh

  The novel Compound reveals the mysteries a young boy named Eli encounters after living six years in an underground compound because his father claimed there was a nuclear attack that made it deadly to live above ground. S.A. Bodeen, the author shows the struggles this boy goes through as each day he has to do the same thing with his two sisters, mother, and his father Rex. His brother Eddy is believed to be dead because he did not make it in time to the compound. He begins wondering if it is safe to come up from the compound. Food starts to become a problem for the family so Rex, Eli's father comes up with a solution where cloned humans could be a food option. The family is shocked when they find out this information.This pushes Eli's curiosity to leave and see whats outside of the compound. Eli's mom gives birth to three different children as supplements for the family's new diet. Eli and his sisters become attached to the new children. 

Then Eli goes into his father's office which was accidentally left open and discovers that there is internet connection and his brother Eddy is alive. He then figures out from Eddy that no nuclear attack occurred so Eli approached his father and his father admitted he used them for an experiment of human survival. Eli knocks out his father and helps his pregnant mother while trying to figure out the code do the main door. He finds success with code, but his father awakens and holds one of the small babies as hostage for the codes. Rex gets the codes, but Eli remembers them and escapes by himself. Eli then finds out from his father's associate that his father was moving his family to a different compound and destroying the original using a bomb. A fight breaks out between the associate and Eli accidentally triggering the bomb. The rest of the family is saved with Eli's help, but Rex returns to save his research. Eli does not know if Rex is alive and as the family waits in the woods, Eddy shows up with a search party in a helicopter. Rex's location is unknown and Eli goes back to living a normal life with his family.  

Bullet Journaling By Mrs. Kopp

Each year, in December, I start to think about my goals for the upcoming year.  I used to write long lists of resolutions, but was then perpetually disappointed when I wasn't able to fulfill all of them (who has time to run for 100 days in a row?).  Then, for a while, each member of my family would choose one word that we hoped would represent the new year (I'd make little wood signs with each word because I love to paint and use my Cricut machine). 

As I think of 2017, I realize that there is one area of my life that I want to focus on and that is my life as a writer.  Before I was married and had children, I used to write all the time.  I would fill journals with thoughts, poetry, and drawings, but then suddenly- I just stopped.  Despite the fact that I still collect journals (and bookmarks) because I LOVE THEM, I wasn't writing.  

So, in 2017, I want to write every single day.  But, I know that I won't have time for that and it makes me sad.  Then I heard about something called Bullet Journaling.

Bullet Journaling is supposed to be a way to quickly organize plans, activities and thoughts.  I loved this idea and I'm ready to go. 

First, I purchased a fun planner that had enough room for me to bullet journal on each day of the year.

I purchased this at Michael's craft store (another favorite of mine- I wish I could live there) for only $11.99 (70%off)

Then, I got some pens that make me happy (I know, I know it's weird).  Now I can write a few sentences a day or more, if I have the urge and time.  I already added some poems leading up to the January calendar. I am so excited about this and I encourage each of you to find a way to achieve one goal in 2017. 

Happy New Year! 

10 Reasons Why Claire Riley Loves Christmas 

By Cynthia Loh

#1 Presents

Everyone at some point has experienced the joy of receiving a gift from someone, especially around Christmas. Seeing the pool of presents under the Christmas tree can excite even the grouchiest of people as they wonder what their friends and loved ones has gotten them this year. However, according to Claire, what she loves about Christmas is not just receiving presents, but also giving them. Claire expresses that the true joy of gifts and presents is the look of pure joy on the face's of the people obtaining the gifts.

#2 Decorations

How can anyone get into the Christmas spirit without the dazzling Christmas decorations that can be a real pain in the butt to set up most of the time. Most people decorate their house with the essentials: Christmas tree, ornaments, wreaths, garlands, and some more. I know some really enthusiastic folks will have seven trees, inflatable snowmen, and a bunch of reindeer across their lawn. To Claire though, the best Christmas decoration are the lights.

              "The lights people put up are pretty and flicker, setting a nice mood against the dark night."
                                                                                                  - Claire Riley                              

#3 Family

Even though some people care more for the materialistic side of Christmas, Claire, also, loves the aspect of family during Christmas. This holiday isn't just time for free gifts, but also a time in the year for families to gather and spend time with each other. In the words of Claire Riley, Christmas is a time when family gets to come together again and enjoy a heartfelt day together. While gifts and objects can last for a couple years, family will be there for you forever (till they die).

#4 No School 

Although this might be pointless to most adults, students like Claire can finally relax and enjoy a well-deserved break after the grueling week of tests before Christmas. Winter Break provides a stress-free Christmas to students of any age and allows them to truly enjoy Christmas without the usual, lingering worry of school assignments in the back of their heads. The long break, also, affords family time to take a vacation and escape from their normal, everyday lives for a short amount of time.

#5 The Tree

Debatably, the most important part of Christmas itself, the Christmas tree is basically the heart of Christmas. Someone once told me that the best part of Christmas is the excuse to wear ugly Christmas sweater. If it really was the best part then they put a ugly, gigantic sweater instead of a Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center. The tree is an icon of Christmas and I can't imagine a Christmas without it.

#6 Food

Food it great! Who doesn't love food? I know Claire Riley loves it, According to her, on Christmas delicious food is served everywhere and people can gather around to have a nice meal. Some things that must be eaten on Christmas are hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, eggnog, fruitcake, gingerbread, pudding, and last but not least, pie!

#7 Santa Claus

Every child grows up believing that a fat, jolly man with a big white beard and a red suit comes down their chimney and leaves them presents under the Christmas tree. Santa Claus is one of the great mythical figures every child trusts in, along with the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny. Santa is one of the things Claire loves about Christmas because of the joy he brought her as a child and the joy he will continue to bring to other kids.

#8 Christmas Movies

There are so many amazing and universally known Christmas movies that are essential to getting into the Christmas spirit. Movies like  Elf, A Christmas Carol, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Home Alone 2, and so much more.

                                    Fun Fact: Donald Trump was in Home Alone 2

#9 Christmas Caroling and Songs

Coming from someone who's in choir and likes to perform in musicals, this isn't very surprising. According to Claire. "Caroling and songs shared between SUCH A HUGE amount of people that everyone knows and can sing along to," is another thing she loves about Christmas.

#10 The Smell of It ????

                                         "The smells of Christmas smell like heaven itself "
                                                                         -Claire Riley

I'm not really sure what Claire means when she says the smell of it. I'm just guessing she really likes the smell of peppermint or pine cones or something.

Christmas in Puerto Rico by Julia Loewen

This year, my family and I will be vacationing in Puerto Rico during the winter break. Since we will be celebrating the holiday season on an island off of the land we live on, I thought it would be necessary to look into the traditions of the holiday season in 

Puerto Rico.

The Holiday Season

To prepare for the Christmas festivities, special Catholic masses called 'Misa de Aguinaldos' are held in Puerto Rico from December 15th to December 24th. The services are typically all sung with traditional musical instruments. People also go caroling some nights around Christmas time, from nighttime to dawn wearing straw hats as seen in the photo. The tradition is for others to be woken by their singing, but they usually are expecting the singers. In December, Puerto Ricans decorate their homes with different types of greenery. They decorate with leaves of palm trees as well as typical USA Christmas trees. 

Nochebuena

In Puerto Rico, Christmas Eve is known as 'Nochebuena'. Unlike America, this is when most of the main celebrations and the Christmas meal take place. On this day, there is a special Misa de Aguinaldos called Misa de Gallo. At this mass, many candles light the church, many carols are sung, and a nativity play is put on my local children. Nochebuena is also the day that Puerto Ricans eat Christmas dinner. Their plates are filled with roast pork, rice, peas, plantains, and pasteles. After their feast, they must refill themselves with dessert. Desserts that are served consist of rice pudding, custard, and eggnog with rum.

Navidad

After the festivities on December 24th, Christmas day, known as Navidad, is the day to recover from Nochebuena.

Holy Innocent's Day

On December 28th, the Puerto Ricans celebrate a traditional holiday that is very different from American holidays called Holy Innocent's Day. On this day, Puerto Ricans go to the town of Hatillo where a carnival is held. At this carnival, men dressed soldiers 'kidnap' children and people must pay the soldiers with treats to give the children back. 

Despedida de Año

The New Year's Eve holiday in Puerto Rico is called 'Despedida de Año'. On this day at midnight, the people celebrate by eating a grape for good luck, light fireworks, and honk their car horns. Shortly after, a poem known as 'A Bohemian Toast' is played on the radio and everyone listens.

Dia de Reyes

The holiday that is closest to the traditional American Catholic Christmas is Epiphany, or 'Dia de Reyes' on December 6th. The night before, called "Víspera de Reyes", Catholic Puerto Rican families go to Church to honor the Three Wiseman/Kings, and the children put grass in shoes for the camels, hoping that the Wise Men will leave them gifts when they are sleeping. The next morning, kids open the gifts the Wiseman left, similar to how American children open the gifts Santa left them.









References: JPC-DESIGN, whychristmas?com. "Christmas Around The World On Whychristmas?Com". Whychristmas.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.

Greek Mythology of Winter- by Abraham LaBelle

Since it is currently winter, I thought it would be interesting to look up the history of the season of winter.

Our ancestors understood the basic seasons of summer and winter. They realized one was good for growing crops and the other brought cold temperature, snow, and sickness.

However, at this time, they never could have imagined the science of it all. For example, why seasons change, what causes snow, etc. So, our ancestors came up with mythologies to explain these weird phenomenon's.
I found many civilization's stories, but I think the Greek's is the most interesting, especially since we already read some Greek mythology.

Greek Mythology of Winter

Background:

Demeter- god of corn, grain, and the harvest

Hades- god of the underworld (hell)

Story:

Demeter's daughter, Persephone, was taken by Hades into the underworld to be his wife. This, of course, angered Demeter, so she made a curse that made all plants wither and die.

Now, Zeus had to step in, but he could not simply take Persephone away as she had eaten food in the underworld which meant she was then bound there and belonged to Hades. So, Zeus decreed that Persephone would spend 4 months in the underworld with Hades, and 8 months on Earth with her mother, Demeter.

When Persephone was in the underworld for 4 months, Demeter would grieve and cause Winter to occur, where plants would wither and the world would get colder. But, when Persephone was united with her mother, she would rejoice and Spring would start.

American Sniper Book Review Beck Gozdenovich

Summary:
American Sniper is an autobiography written the most lethal sniper in U.S. history, Chris Kyle. He guides us along his life before, during, and after his time spent as a navy SEAL in the military. He gives a brief background about his childhood and what it was like growing up in Texas. Then he moves on to his motives for joining the military. He describes his training and boot camp in extreme detail and it is very eye-opening. Then he extensively describes his life in active service. He dives deep into each category of military life, the combat, the missions, the gear, the stress, and even the downtime. After he finishes his duty, he then describes how his life was after his service and how he was effected by the war both positively and negatively.

Recommendation:
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. It highlights the sacrifices soldiers make to keep their country safe, and their incentives for doing so. It is a very eye-opening read, even to those with little to no interest in war-style books. Even if you don't read the book, the movie is a great alternative.

Overall Rating:
I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 because the great life lessons this book teaches and because of how intriguing the whole book is