Personal Reflection

And so the journey continues..
Now that we have brought our second posting in Humanities 10 to an end, it is time for another personal reflection. This 'unit' in Humanities we read and watched the play Fiddler on the Roof, and focused on globalization. This showed me in good ways and bad, that not everyone is as lucky and well treated as we are here in Canada.

Throughout this whole journey, we did lots of projects, individual and team. Looking back at all of the projects we did, the one I enjoyed most, and thought I did best on, was the team comparison, poster and review. This challenged our group to agree and debate on certain topics or thoughts, and when someone didn't agree, the rest of our group had to challenge themselves to persuade the other. Being persuasive is something that myself as a Humanities student needed to work on, and although I worked on it and am more confident now than I was before this mission, I can still work on it. Setting goals is something I'm good at, which is something I feel helps me in this class.

If there was an assignment that I could take back or re-do, it would have to be the written response song interpretation. I feel like I could have gone into deeper thought and expanded on my ideas. However, I feel that I had a good view and interpretation of the song. Something I continue to struggle with sometimes is putting 150% into all of my assignments. But as the journey continues, the assignments are going to continue to challenge me in ways that no other course will, which is why I have no regrets taking Humanities.

Interview Conclusion

 With this assignment, I feel I was very challenged in that my two interviewees were almost   completely oposite. While interviewing my Canadian of 40 years, not only did he express how beautiful he thought Canada was geographically, but ecologically as well. He felt as if there was no better place on Earth to grow up, raise a family and enjoy life. Leaving Canada is something he would never think of doing. However the immigrant I interviewed thought the exact opposite. Whether it was the food, accents, or social structure, she was not a fan. She expressed that from her point of view, Canada is very gudgemental, and being from Germany, and having an alternate lifestyle I can understand that. However, she did like how there were others here like her, and how she found a place where she fit in.

Being Canadian isn't just the status of being free in and in a country that is very wealthy, but being accepted for who you are, and what you want.

Team Movie Review & Comparison

Movie & Play Comparison

Prospects

Recently, in Humanities, our grade ten class finished reading the play Fiddler on the Roof. Once the class finished reading the novel, we perused the movie, produced in 1971. As the class we enjoyed the film, however, the groups we are split into for our interactive learning has a few distinct things we would like to say.

As the book started and continued though until the end, we thought it had a good plot, as there was always something to be laughing about, and always something to mock. Both the film and the book clearly lived up to their expectations to be not only entertaining, but challenged us and our beliefs as well as our traditions. Another characteristic of the story line that took it above and beyond was the excellent choreographing in the movie, such as the dance scenes or arguments.

Although most of group didn’t like Fiddler on the Roof, it had points of interest. When we weren’t mocking or making snide comments about the movie, there were parts where we caught ourselves smiling, which for all of us made it not a complete waste of time.

Movie Review

Fiddler on the Roof

The Prospects

           This epic and exhilarating film has people around the world raving about Fiddler on the Roof. The Chandler Weekly rates it 4 stars out of 5, with its cheap and older genre does very well to show pre revolution Russia. The movie follows a Jewish man named Tevye whose little town of Anatevka where the changes of the world are affecting their way of life. The riveting performance done by Topol (Tevye) blows peoples mind one after another, the musical genius of this play helps the performance of the whole cast. The reason it was rated 4 out of 5 was it didn’t hook me in as well I would have liked and not all the songs were the best. I had I expectations for this movie and it delivered.
The Call Sturgeon Journal rates the film 3.5 stars out of 5. This performance was stunning and un-repeatable! The life that Tevye, Golde and their five daughter lead is riveting and shocking! The angle that this movie shows the non revolutionised country has been such an influenced so many different places to be a better country.
The Haley Wasdal review rates the film 4 out of 5. I found this play not only highly entertaining, but also very humorous at parts. (Which i think always makes a performance better.) the acting was also very outstanding. It also tells about history of the 1960’s. I deducted a point because I sometimes found the acting to be “too-much.”
As Beth Fodor might say, “I rate this a three out of five.” Why one may ask? I didn’t find the plot very intriguing and found myself drooling at parts. However! I did enjoy the humor in the film, therefore I got my three marks from laughing.
The Chelsea Dawson review rates it a 3 out of 5. “The life that Topol (Tevye) is able to createin pre-revolutionary Russia is very believable and breathtaking. The problems in the movie are easy to understand and somewhat easy to relate too making the movie enjoyable for all.
The end result of this movie got it nominated for 8 Oscars and won 3 of them one for Best Cinematography, Best Music, Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score and, Best Sound.

Political Cartoons

a. Who are the characters in this cartoon? Immigrants, Boarder Guard.
b. What event is this cartoon targeting? Citizenship & Immigration of Canada
c. What is the message of this cartoon? This cartoon I feel, shows how the rest of the world sees us. For example, the guard in this cartoon is appearing to be lazy, thinking everything is happy-go-lucky with nothing to worry about, & from my point of view that is not how I see things.
d. How is humor developed? In this cartoon, I feel that understanding hyperbole is key. This literary device is used immensely to show that the guard wouldn't actually be sitting there sleeping, but that it seems they are letting more people into Canada with less restrictions.
e. Do you agree or disagree? I feel that the message of this cartoon is that many people looking to immigrate, look to Canada. This cartoon, I think, shows how some people may take advantage of the kind of nation Canada is. Yes we are willing to be the place people will take refuge, or start a new life, but the fact that so many Canadians aren't actually indigenous to Canada, they are from other parts of the world, I feel is somewhat polluting Canada's identity.

a. Who are the characters in the cartoon? A woman & a man.
b. What event is the cartoon targeting? Citizenship & Canada Immigration.
c. What is the message of this cartoon? That once Canada accepts you into their society & nation, it is a feeling of success & pleasure.
d. How is humor developed? Right from the beginning, it is sexual.
e. Do you agree or disagree? I feel that it is hard for me to have an opinion in immigration because I am not an immigrant. However, I do agree with this cartoon, Canada is an amazing country & those that get to experience it are truly lucky & pleasured.

Canadian Poem Analysis

Could It Be

Canada is a country full of heart
But what is it that sets us apart?

Could it be British Columbia’s calm waters and rocky mountain tops,
Or perhaps it’s the breathtaking Pacific where British Columbia stops.

Could it be the boreal forest that occupies Alberta’s terrain,
Or perhaps it’s Banff where it’s always beautiful even through rain.

Could it be Saskatchewan’s national flower the Western Red Lily,
Or perhaps it’s the bitter winters in Saskatchewan that can get rather chilly.

Could it be Manitoba’s majestic forests spreading far and wide,
Or perhaps it’s the pristine rivers with no developments on their sides.

Could it be the wonderful attraction of Ontario’s CN tower,
Or perhaps it’s the Niagara Falls, a must see sight with so much power.

Could it be Quebec’s predominantly French speaking women and men,
Or perhaps it’s the Parliamentary building which is busy no matter when.

Could it be Newfoundland, the province that is farthest to the east,
Or perhaps it’s the Appalachian Mountains you must see once at least.

Could it be the beaches and bays and marshes of P.E.I,
Or perhaps it’s how they produce potatoes at a very large supply.

Could it be New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, two provinces that are rather small,
Or perhaps it’s these provinces which were inhabited by aboriginal peoples first of all.

Could it be the northern territories in a group of three,
Or perhaps it’s the Canadian Arctic Islands located here that few get to see.

So what exactly is it that makes Canada so unique,
It’s all these characteristics and wonders of which I speak.

 

Poetry Analysis:

The first line in this poem is expressing that Canada has a big heart, and asking what it is about Canada that sets apart from all the other countries. I feel that the author says that Canada has a big heart because from my point of view, we are very accepting. It says this about New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and how they are inhabited by aboriginal peoples. Or when it is saying that Banff is beautiful even when it rains, I took it as even when Canda has challenges, or when things get ugly, Canada pushes through because they know there is going to be some good that comes out of our struggles.

                   

Each picture of a sunset is from each one of the provinces & territories. The middle picture is just a general Canadian sunrise. I chose the sunrises because in my poem, the landscape & physical assets are addressed.

My title for this is:

"We are all different, but the same under one sky"

Fiddler on the Roof Literary Device Assignment

Hopefully this works Mr. Kabachia!

Fiddler on the Roof Literary Device Assignment:

Literary Device Assignment

Fiddler on The Roof : Written Response Song Interpretation

      In the play, Fiddler on the Roof, there are many songs that are performed and sung. As I read the book in class I really connected with the fifth song, To Life. It starts by sayings that Tevye, a father is proud to be a father, and proud of his daughters, “Here’s to the father I’ve tried to be.” Then it proceeds to say that life can either make us happy and successful; blessing us, or break us down and challenge us; bruise us. When Tevye says that god wants them to be happy and joyful, even when their hearts lay broken on the floor, I interpreted that sometimes love isn’t the only thing that makes life worth living, and that your heart will mend. By saying, “Live another day” I took it as if you have made a mistake, or taken life for granted, God blesses you with another chance, time and time again. By the time this song was finished, I found myself to feel refreshed and pleased with the way I am living, which is, with no regrets.



Fiddler on The Roof : Venn Diagram & Comparrison Parapraph

Part A) Venn Diagram

Part B) Written Response

While reading to book, Fiddler on The Roof, it didn't take me very long to realize that I realated alot with Chava. She knows what she wants & will do whatever she has to in order to get it. Like me, family is very important to her, & we both want to make our families happy. Searching for approval for love is something both of us want, & in her case, was a bit of a challenge to do. However, in the end of the book she is happy, much like I want to be at the end of my life.

Personal Identity

       Who am I really?

Identity can usually mean one of two things; one, mainly what your interests are, or two, your background and traditions, and what parts you have chosen to interpret into your own life

     When someone asks you what you like to do, if you have tradititions, what languages you speak or if you believe in god, a simpler question that they could ask is, what are the important things my parents have tried to teach me as I grow up? For me personally, traditions are simple, we celebrate Christmas, Halloween and eat Thanksgiving dinner. Nothing really all that exciting, but they are things I enjoy to do, and am going to carry on to when I’m an adult. As for languages, my immediate family and mom’s side speak only English. As for my dad’s side, his parents and some siblings speak fluid German and Hungarian. I do want to take the time to learn another language, but if I had a choice, it would likely be Spanish; beautiful and classy. Religion or evolution on might ask? I reply with evolution. I feel that if god wants us to be happy, then why does ‘he’ feel the need to take away the people in our lives that we care most about, or force us to make decision that we don’t necessarily need or want to make. I was brought up in a family that regularly attended a United Church, but that fell apart when my sisters and I grew up, and started playing sports that went onto weekends. As for myself, I stopped believing in god when my hero, my grandfather, pasted away 4 years ago. These are the points in my life that family, and close groups of friends have impacted me the most on, and now i look at myself as an athiest, which I can generalize as my collective identity.

     As for my interests, hobbies, apparel, & reasons I like to smile, the list is infinite. The majority of them are very common, so those are the things likely more people have as a part of their identity. My apparel is the normal, teenager, stereotyped clothing. I like to follow trends so that I don’t look out of place, but I adore my sweats and track clothes. I would much rather be comfy than look good and feel awkward. My mom once said that I was the most diverse kid she knows, in that I literally do everything. I play many sports; hockey, volleyball, baseball, run, track, curl, golf and badminton. When I’m not playing sports, I like to fill my time with friends (which I have a broad amount of due to all the sports I play), my puppy, Guinness, taking pictures, which is another way for me to express my feelings, as well as writing, listening to music and blogging. Smiling is something I do a lot, when I was younger and didn’t know what a lot of things meant, my grandfather would say “A laugh is when a smile has an orgasm.” Of course I had no clue what it meant, but still, even that made me laugh. Friends are another very large part of my identity, sanity and well being. I know that wherever I go, like the Boston Pizza slogan, I’m among friends. I know that whatever I do and wherever I am, I am learning from my mistakes and trying to live life as if it were my last day.

     Sure there are things that I wish I could go back on and change, but you write your life in pen, there is no going back to erase and change something, you learn very quickly to live with what you’ve achieved, and things you have failed at.

   It isn’t exactly easy to say who I am, and that’s why in my visual representation I left the biggest bubble open. I mean I’m only 15 years old, and for the most part have no idea what life is really going to be like, therefore I left the biggest aspect of my identity, my future, a simply question mark. The bottom middle is film, to represt my love of photography, and below that is a heart for love with the Canadian flag inside to show I am proud of where I come from. The iPod wheel to show I can't live without music, and the NIKE symbol to represent sports. The top right side has an atheist symbol as well as a volleyball because I am currently playing volleyball.

Personal Logo

OK here. So now that I have completely lost all hope in the fact that my scanner is going to work, I have resorted to just taking a picture of it. Boring.

But here is my personal logo explaining how I view globalization & identity.

Let's start at the heart of the operation, the heart. The red heart represents that for one I love most things about me, & if different parts of the world will learn to love each other, the world will evolve; thus 'evolution'. If you can't tell, I used the two worlds as the headphone part to my headphones. I used two worlds to show that there are two main different views of the world. It can be perceived as good, where nothing is wrong with it, or it can be perceived as troubled, which in reality is how it is. I actually used the headphones & heart, representing music & love because those are huge parts of who I am. I live for music. Finally, the wings. As an individual, I am always learning & growing, expanding my knowledge. As for viewing the world, they represent that if we all work together, & respect others ideas & thoughts, we will be more successful.

PS: sorry for it being so late. You know how technology can be (: 

Life is a highway, & I wanna ride it

    

Personal Reflection 

      Humanities 10 is like a highway. It will take you as far as you want to go, & not push you to go anywhere else; but if you want to continue to pursue your journey, the opportunity will present itself. I have been asked to reflect upon my strengths, weaknesses, successes & concerns for a personal reflection. In my world, strengths & successes compliment each other & are directly related. Therefore I am going to write these two together. The more difficult portion of this assignment is to identify my weaknesses & concerns.

I have a hard time writing these words, but, concerns & weaknessess are more directly related to my successess & strengths. Thus, the term reflection.

     First off, one of my strengths I have identified right from day one is that I do know alot about the going ons of the world, economy, & their surrounding issues. Because I have paid attention to those points in the current events, I feel some of my successes have been related to being on a team & the input needed to be successful. I have also learned that I have strengths in the area of holding an argument in class, supported by fact information. Another strength I behold is that I have the ability to keep my mouth shut. Not in a bad way, where I don't express what I'm thinking, but to the point where I respect what others are saying, & try to see things from their point of view. Either to just see something from a different perspective, or also to add & to support my own ideas.

     Now that I have expressed my strengths & successes, weaknesses & concerns come into play. I have considered the idea that I possibly just don't want to accept that there are things not going my way, or that there are things I need to work on, but as always, there are things to improve on & tweak. I'm not very good at identifying things I need work on, so to start this paragraph is a bit of a challenge. One of my concerns, & always has been, is that I don't fully apply myself to all things, & that is also one of my weaknesses that also is a concern for me in this course. Why? I tend to get a little full of myself at times, therefore, thinking a small amount of effort will get me far. Clearly in Humanities that is not going to work. That is partially the reason that I asked to be a part of this class, I wanted to challenge myself in a way many people wouldn't understand. As I look forward, I am anxious see what I can produce, but mostly to see how I can grow.

     All in all, this class is a challenge, which is exactly what someone like me needs. There have been times where I have used the security blanket of others to fall back on. In Humanities, I have felt that others are not there to fall back on, but to catch you when you fall, to help you get back up & continue on your journey.

Unexamined life : Part 3

This is my visual representation for The Unexamined Life: Part 3.

The largest picture, the represents the 'sisters' portion of my 5, the 4 photos on the right, are picture's I have taken, representing 'photography'. The pinky promise is pretty self explanatory, it shows 'trust'. The Chief is the logo of where I played AAA last season for 'hockey', in Red Deer. & finally, the smiley face shows that I am 'outgoing' & willing to learn new things, always open minded.

I would rather regret things I have done, rather than things I have not

Eva Longoria once said, "I don't regret anything I ever do or say. I don't like to live my life being censored. I like to say what I feel, and I think people respect that because you're honest." (2010, Eva Longoria)

It is people like this that set the standards for how life should really be lived; to the fullest. There should be no reason for a person to hide behind something that isn't real, or isn't themself, because for every person should have the right to feel like themselves is enough.

 Sure there are somethings that you wish that you could take back, and there always is going to be, but you can't. You've done things in your life that either have impacted you and made you a better person, or at times have broken you down. Each and every person needs to be responsible for the decisions they make, wheather they are big enough to actually admit what they've done.

So next time someone asks, "Aren't you going to regret that?" or, "Your going to regret not doing that." simply reply, "No, I've actually thought through what I want."

And with this, there are many times in your life where you can apply the above quotation, wheather it be on the sports court, in the classroom, a life experience or in a relationship, always know what you want, and stick to it. No Regrets.