The following journal entries have been written during my semester in Honors English Three. I will explain the texts or events that inspired my entries after each one.
Jounal Entry One: August 27, 2008
I suppose that I hold the more liberal perspective on immigration. I believe that we should embrace the immigration in our country. We should be a country with open arms and allow them to experience America. Of course, the issue is ridden with taxes and threats to our economy–but with a secure and organied program, this can be fixed. Those who come to America without permission from the government are illegal immigrants, not aliens! If this were the case, we’re all aliens, because no family line is truly American bred. The title, “Aliens”, is derogatory. With Americans holding this attitude, other countries look at us as snobbish and narrow-minded people. If we could end the everlasting stalemate on the issue, we could work together to find the solution.
This entry stemmed from a NPR discussion about derogatory terms toward immigrants. This was of course a controversial subject that created a great debate in the classroom. Personally, I am very interested in political situations and this stands as one of the greatest rifts in our country’s history.
Journal Entry Two: September 10, 2008
Every civilization has held the dream of becoming the “perfect city upon a hill”, the dream of becoming a utopia. In America, some believe that we are the best in the world. This may only be true in terms of materialism. Other countries have more inviting customs whereas we tend to appear as a rejecting nation. Of course, this is a generalized statement, but this is what is held in the eye of a foreigner. This perception has hurt us dearly in terms of diplomacy. Where theology and morality seems to be the candle for the 1600s Puritans, our candle is money or the materialism that was gained through the money. The candle is a greate metaphor becuse the one who holds it yeilds great honor in leading our world. I don’t believe that any one group or person could hold it.
I wrote this in response to the question of where the power and influence is held in the world. My answer is that power is dispersed, yet some hold more influence than others. The metaphor of the one that holds the candle to light our world is discussed in this entry. My opinon of America and other’s opinions as well are mentioned.
Journal Entry Three: October 2, 2008
When making decisions, I tend to rely on intuition and emotion. Of course, this seems like a childish decision but I feel that I know enough to make the right choice. But can this be a valid answer? I believe that logic affects my intuition. When I think about a decision, I immediately rule out ridiculous ideas and use my intuition to make the right choice I do seem to make rash decisions at times, but I lean towards the right path. If I were to choose between which one I favor more, it would be my intuition. Everybody has facts, but only I know what’s good for me.
This journal was in response to the following question: When making decisions do you rely on logic or emotion? I chose emotion but also questioned whether or not logic is involved as well. I concluded that both are necessary to make a decision, but emotion often overrides logic in my mentality.
Joural Entry Four: October 21, 2008
The pomegranate’s little seeds are not something of a common fruit. The flavr is stored in little catacombs and one must pick at the fruit to gain the prize. Be careful! This juice will attaack you and you will have to work hard to remove their mark. When you pry out the seed, you see small a small red and white type of grape: the fruit of your labor. As you crunch into it, the sensation is not long lasting. A tiny spurt of juice comes and goes. These little seeds pack the bitter. These chinese apples are something I enjoy, but it is an acquired taste.
This entry was in response to actually eating pomegranate seeds and describing the experience. This was an exploration imagery. This experiment helped me to explore my abilities in the field of imagery. Describing it with all of my senses helped to to become a better writer.
Journal Entry Five: December 10, 2008
Love
is screaming at the world,
“What happened?”
It finds faith in very few lovers
“Where did honesty go?
Out the door with chivalry
upon the creation of loveless lust?”
Love searches for its true believers
but doesn’t find many.
It wanders along waiting for the ones
that believe in its power,
and hold strong to the commitment
that love requires.
But Love asks
“Are there such people anymore?
Or has Temptation stolen my thunder?”
This journal entry was assigned to be a personification of an inanimate object or idea. I chose love. I personified this idea by capitalizing it, like a name. I also gave it dialogue, ideas, and actions. This experimentation of personification helped me later on in creating extended metaphors.
