What type of growth have we seen in Amir?
Amir is more caring and sympathetic for others such as wanting to find Hassan's son. But it is not a true growth because he didn't start this on his own. Rahim Khan called him over form America to do these things and Amir, at first, disagreed. He did eventually agree but it doesn't seem like true growth.
What was your reaction to the 'state' of Kabul upon his return?
I am not surprised. The Taliban rule is ruthless and will do anything to be in control. So I am not surprised that Kabul is in ruins. Beggars are all over the place and everything is destroyed from buildings to trees.
Where do you think the story is going from here?
I would think it would become better like Amir finding Hassan's son and bringing him to America but the way the story has turned out already, probably not. Every time you think something will become good, the story takes a 180 turn and goes downhill. So the remainder of the story will probably be the same.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
3rd MP Reflection & 4th MP Preview
1. I am surprised I did so well. I knew I could at least get a mid B on this but A worthy surprised me. I am happy for this and this A will definitely secure my A for the marking period. I need all the help to bring my average for the class to an A because of my poor performance in the 1st marking period.
2. I honestly thought that I personally did not do the best work possible for the TMD projects. I did work hard on the social media, twitter, part because it was the most time consuming and I needed to take every aspect of the book and add some personality to it. I still worked hard on the other parts, but I felt like I could have done better. But I guess it was good enough to get a 97 so I am very happy for that. It helped me get an A for the marking period.
3. 4th marking, we were introduced to the film project. I think that this will be the most challenging even though it seems easy. Films aren't the best of my repertoire but I will have to pull through with the group.
2. I honestly thought that I personally did not do the best work possible for the TMD projects. I did work hard on the social media, twitter, part because it was the most time consuming and I needed to take every aspect of the book and add some personality to it. I still worked hard on the other parts, but I felt like I could have done better. But I guess it was good enough to get a 97 so I am very happy for that. It helped me get an A for the marking period.
3. 4th marking, we were introduced to the film project. I think that this will be the most challenging even though it seems easy. Films aren't the best of my repertoire but I will have to pull through with the group.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Final Week - IR Blog Post 3 (Into Thin Air)
I connect with the pride of not using supplement oxygen. In any first person shooter game, there is always an overpowered weapon. People that tend to use them are people who are not good and need all the help they can get and therefore get a lot of hate. But instead of using those weapons, I would use underused weapons to feel proud and "better" than everyone else. Instead of being that guy who uses extra help, overpowered gun or oxygen, I would be that guy who doesn't use the extra help, using the "bad" gun or not using the oxygen.
But at the end of the game, I would lose the game, or in this case, lose a life because of lack of oxygen, ultimately lack of self-pride.
All of this comes back to social perception. You want to look good in front of peers or your competitors by doing the unexpected or not being handicapped. But sometimes having to big of an ego can easily blow up your head and become fatal.
I guess the overall theme idea that I got from this book is that the only opinion that matters is your own. Yes, a special someone can change your mind, but to the general public, it's only you that matters. And of course always bring extra oxygen when climbing the tallest mountain in the world.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Final Week - IR Blog Post 2 (Into Thin Air)
Themes/Ideas
During the descent, Jon is low on oxygen and it starts to show. He thinks he saw Andy but he was mistaken. So he tells everyone that Harris is fine, when actually no one knows where he is. All of this happens because he begins to lose his senses and starts to hallucinate. So oxygen is a catalyst to the problems of this story. Also Jon is so used to the fact that Andy is always beside him that he gets mixed up.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/236362-brain-effects-of-no-oxygen/
This site gives some side effects of lack of oxygen.
But even when climbers are suffering from hypoxia, they move one because of pride. Andy Hall does not stop Doug Hansen from climbing to the top even after the turn around point has past because he stopped Doug last year from climbing the last hundred feet. Doug was disappointed and does not want the opportunity to slip away again.
During the descent, Jon is low on oxygen and it starts to show. He thinks he saw Andy but he was mistaken. So he tells everyone that Harris is fine, when actually no one knows where he is. All of this happens because he begins to lose his senses and starts to hallucinate. So oxygen is a catalyst to the problems of this story. Also Jon is so used to the fact that Andy is always beside him that he gets mixed up.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/236362-brain-effects-of-no-oxygen/
This site gives some side effects of lack of oxygen.
But even when climbers are suffering from hypoxia, they move one because of pride. Andy Hall does not stop Doug Hansen from climbing to the top even after the turn around point has past because he stopped Doug last year from climbing the last hundred feet. Doug was disappointed and does not want the opportunity to slip away again.
Final Week - IR Blog Post 1 (Into Thin Air)
People
Jon Krakauer
Andy Harris - Missing
Doug Hansen - Missing
Fischer - lacking oxygen
IMAX Team - helping the ones who lived
Reporting Team
Events
The first thing that happens in this section is that Krakauer realizes one of the guides falls of the edge of the mountain, Andy Harris. Jon thought that he saw him go to his tent but he actually slipped past and ended up off falling off. (But the story goes off on a tangent saying that Krakauer actually never saw Harris that night and mistook him for someone else. So he has immense guilt insuring everyone that he was fine when actuality no one knows.) This is the beginning of the terror of all day and night. Many more guides and climbers go missing and many are found dead.
Overall many people are in desperate need of oxygen during the descent. It becomes a dash to the camp trying to get oxygen to the people in dire need.
A climber is severing tremendous oxygen loss that he is questioning his life. "I [Fischer] am very sick, too sick to go down. I am going to jump." (297) He is, though, talked out of it.
Climbers are being left behind because everyone is lacking the strength to even carry themselves.
It is a devastating conclusion when Jon realizes that half the people that climbed up are going down. About 25 went missing or died.
As the remaining team gets to base camp, Jon is emotionally distraught from the terrors he suffered through on the mountain. This climb will remain with him for the rest of his life.
Places
Still Mt. Everest and all the camps
Jon Krakauer
Andy Harris - Missing
Doug Hansen - Missing
Fischer - lacking oxygen
IMAX Team - helping the ones who lived
Reporting Team
Events
The first thing that happens in this section is that Krakauer realizes one of the guides falls of the edge of the mountain, Andy Harris. Jon thought that he saw him go to his tent but he actually slipped past and ended up off falling off. (But the story goes off on a tangent saying that Krakauer actually never saw Harris that night and mistook him for someone else. So he has immense guilt insuring everyone that he was fine when actuality no one knows.) This is the beginning of the terror of all day and night. Many more guides and climbers go missing and many are found dead.
Overall many people are in desperate need of oxygen during the descent. It becomes a dash to the camp trying to get oxygen to the people in dire need.
A climber is severing tremendous oxygen loss that he is questioning his life. "I [Fischer] am very sick, too sick to go down. I am going to jump." (297) He is, though, talked out of it.
Climbers are being left behind because everyone is lacking the strength to even carry themselves.
It is a devastating conclusion when Jon realizes that half the people that climbed up are going down. About 25 went missing or died.
As the remaining team gets to base camp, Jon is emotionally distraught from the terrors he suffered through on the mountain. This climb will remain with him for the rest of his life.
Places
Still Mt. Everest and all the camps
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Week 3 - IR Blog Post 3 (Into Thin Air)
I understand that Jon was running low on oxygen, but why wouldn't he at least take in the view of being at the summit and just take a second to soak it in? All he does is acknowledge that he made it and starts his climb down. If I were to be in the top of the world I would be celebrating, taking pictures and just look out over the world. I guess lack of oxygen does affect you that much.
I find it ironic about how many people would love to be on the top of the world. While on the ground, he couldn't wait to be on the top of the world, but as soon as he was at the summit, all he was thinking about was how he couldn't wait to be on the ground.
Jon talks about how he notices that the climbers are all isolated from each other climbing on their own. But as the top is nearing, they become "intertwined". Again I will bring up the Tennis team comparison. Last year, and even this year, a the season started, we were functioning as separate gears instead of one coherent machine. But as States neared and bigger matches drew closer, we bonded more. We bonded due to the fact of the finish line and that goal, just like the climbers.
I find it ironic about how many people would love to be on the top of the world. While on the ground, he couldn't wait to be on the top of the world, but as soon as he was at the summit, all he was thinking about was how he couldn't wait to be on the ground.
Jon talks about how he notices that the climbers are all isolated from each other climbing on their own. But as the top is nearing, they become "intertwined". Again I will bring up the Tennis team comparison. Last year, and even this year, a the season started, we were functioning as separate gears instead of one coherent machine. But as States neared and bigger matches drew closer, we bonded more. We bonded due to the fact of the finish line and that goal, just like the climbers.
Week 3 - IR Blog Post 2 (Into Thin Air)
(196) When Andy Harris gets hit by that boulder.
When I read this, the first thing that came into my mind was that the climb must end right there, but of course a little less than half the book is left. Then I thought that this is foreshadowing a bad event in the future. Andy is one of the guides and losing him would be like losing a wheel on your car, you just can't go any further. It is evident that the other climbers become worried as well. This event just symbolizes how important a guide or an expert climber is for the climbers and the success of the trip.
Oxygen - To the average person, oxygen mean life, without it, you can not survive. but to an over achieving climber, bringing oxygen tanks during the climb is basically cheating. To be a true climber, you should not bring supplements of oxygen. It kind of represents a climber's pride.
Trust - Again a huge theme in the story. This time, trust is slowly fading away. "I [Krakauer]felt disconnected from the climbers around me—emotionally, spiritually, physically—to a degree I hadn't experienced on any previous expedition…Each client was in it for himself or herself…" (213). Certainly not a good thing to think about when you have 50 climbers around you and you life is on the ropes, literally.
But the closer and close the team gets to the summit, the more tighter the bond gets between the climbers. Jon states that the climbers are becoming "intertwined".
http://www.everestnews.com/everest2006/ecueverest06202006.htm
This insane climber decides to climb Everest without oxygen and without a sherpa, indigenous people of the mountain that can help on the climb. But he does make it and is ecstatic, completely opposite reaction of Jon.
When I read this, the first thing that came into my mind was that the climb must end right there, but of course a little less than half the book is left. Then I thought that this is foreshadowing a bad event in the future. Andy is one of the guides and losing him would be like losing a wheel on your car, you just can't go any further. It is evident that the other climbers become worried as well. This event just symbolizes how important a guide or an expert climber is for the climbers and the success of the trip.
Oxygen - To the average person, oxygen mean life, without it, you can not survive. but to an over achieving climber, bringing oxygen tanks during the climb is basically cheating. To be a true climber, you should not bring supplements of oxygen. It kind of represents a climber's pride.
Trust - Again a huge theme in the story. This time, trust is slowly fading away. "I [Krakauer]felt disconnected from the climbers around me—emotionally, spiritually, physically—to a degree I hadn't experienced on any previous expedition…Each client was in it for himself or herself…" (213). Certainly not a good thing to think about when you have 50 climbers around you and you life is on the ropes, literally.
But the closer and close the team gets to the summit, the more tighter the bond gets between the climbers. Jon states that the climbers are becoming "intertwined".
http://www.everestnews.com/everest2006/ecueverest06202006.htm
This insane climber decides to climb Everest without oxygen and without a sherpa, indigenous people of the mountain that can help on the climb. But he does make it and is ecstatic, completely opposite reaction of Jon.
Week 3 - IR Blog Post 1 (Into Thin Air)
People
Jon Krakauer - Narrator and Author
Swedish climber, Goran Kropp - He is climbing for the summit and is only a few hundred feet away but decides to turn around because he is physically beat. Jon commemorates him for being able to turn around when the summit is in his sights.
Scott Fischer - One of the expert climbers and is exhausted after a day of climbing because he needed to help struggling climbers. He is a little mad about it, but he says that it is a price you need to play to do the job.
Chen Nu-Yan - Taiwanese climber that dies during the final climb. He actually was already feeling pains, but decided to go on. This decision was proven to be fatal.
Rob Hall - basically the man that is making all the calls.
Places
Mt. Everest, Base Camp, Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3, Camp 4, Summit
Col - A flat area on the summit between Camp 4 and the Summit. It is a place to rest up before the final ascent.
The Death Zone - Area between Col and Summit. Basically point of no return, you must make it up the summit quickly before your oxygen runs out.
Hillary Step - Area between The Death Zone and Summit. A vertical wall that is feared by even the best of climbers.
Events
Andy Harris, a guide, gets hit by a falling boulder on the chest and has to turn around. The climb is postponed.
May 8th is one of the team's ascending days and Jon accounts that Frank will be one of climbers to make it to the summit. Surprisingly Frank comes back hurt and struggling to catch his breath.
Jon Krakauer makes it to the summit, but oddly, does not feel joy or elation, but fear of the climb back down. He is running really low on oxygen and does not think he can climb back down due to the slower climbers.
But he does climb back down, having to wait for climbers. He asks Andy Harris is turn down the valve to preserve oxygen, but Harris mistakenly opens it even more. Jon is out of oxygen in 10 minutes. A little while, Jon realizes that Andy is suffering from hypoxia, or altitude-related impaired judgment, and now is suffering himself.
A blizzard picks up while they are descending. Many get lost and a few die.
Jon Krakauer - Narrator and Author
Swedish climber, Goran Kropp - He is climbing for the summit and is only a few hundred feet away but decides to turn around because he is physically beat. Jon commemorates him for being able to turn around when the summit is in his sights.
Scott Fischer - One of the expert climbers and is exhausted after a day of climbing because he needed to help struggling climbers. He is a little mad about it, but he says that it is a price you need to play to do the job.
Chen Nu-Yan - Taiwanese climber that dies during the final climb. He actually was already feeling pains, but decided to go on. This decision was proven to be fatal.
Rob Hall - basically the man that is making all the calls.
Places
Mt. Everest, Base Camp, Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3, Camp 4, Summit
Col - A flat area on the summit between Camp 4 and the Summit. It is a place to rest up before the final ascent.
The Death Zone - Area between Col and Summit. Basically point of no return, you must make it up the summit quickly before your oxygen runs out.
Hillary Step - Area between The Death Zone and Summit. A vertical wall that is feared by even the best of climbers.
Events
Andy Harris, a guide, gets hit by a falling boulder on the chest and has to turn around. The climb is postponed.
May 8th is one of the team's ascending days and Jon accounts that Frank will be one of climbers to make it to the summit. Surprisingly Frank comes back hurt and struggling to catch his breath.
Jon Krakauer makes it to the summit, but oddly, does not feel joy or elation, but fear of the climb back down. He is running really low on oxygen and does not think he can climb back down due to the slower climbers.
But he does climb back down, having to wait for climbers. He asks Andy Harris is turn down the valve to preserve oxygen, but Harris mistakenly opens it even more. Jon is out of oxygen in 10 minutes. A little while, Jon realizes that Andy is suffering from hypoxia, or altitude-related impaired judgment, and now is suffering himself.
A blizzard picks up while they are descending. Many get lost and a few die.
Friday, March 4, 2011
R.A.F.T. Peru
**3,4,6,3
Me talking to me in the form of a tweet about Peru**
Well Jon, Che and Alberto are experiencing troubled waters in Peru, not as friendly as Chile and Argentina. At least they are not huge bums like before, still bums though.
Me talking to me in the form of a tweet about Peru**
Well Jon, Che and Alberto are experiencing troubled waters in Peru, not as friendly as Chile and Argentina. At least they are not huge bums like before, still bums though.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Week 2 - IR Blog Post 3 (Into Thin Air)
Everyone at one point needs to trust someone else. I have a similar experience in terms of trust. I did not go on a climb or on an adventure. My trust was in my teammates. 2010 Tennis season was a huge step for the Boys Tennis Team in school history. It was a our first year making it to States. But a long the way we had to win many tough matches. One player can't play all the matches. It is a team sport and we all needed to trust in everyone else to win their match in order for the team to advance to the next round. If their was no trust, no faith in each other, there was no way we could have succeeded.
But this is not just for my experience but for anyone who plays on a team sport. Trust is so important for a team to be cohesive and successful.
http://changingminds.org/explanations/trust/what_is_trust.htm
Golden Rule:
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’
Website all about trust and ways to build them.
One question:
How can you trust your life in the hands of a stranger? (specifically for the climbers who have little experience)
Grant it, the stranger is a a climbing guide/expert but still, your life on someone else's shoulders is pretty scary. Also these climbers are inexperience and they expect to make it to the summit just because they bought a really good guide is beyond me.
But this is not just for my experience but for anyone who plays on a team sport. Trust is so important for a team to be cohesive and successful.
http://changingminds.org/explanations/trust/what_is_trust.htm
Golden Rule:
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’
Website all about trust and ways to build them.
One question:
How can you trust your life in the hands of a stranger? (specifically for the climbers who have little experience)
Grant it, the stranger is a a climbing guide/expert but still, your life on someone else's shoulders is pretty scary. Also these climbers are inexperience and they expect to make it to the summit just because they bought a really good guide is beyond me.
Week 2 - IR Blog Post 2 (Into Thin Air)
Mt. Everest - To everyone else in the world, this is the tallest mountain, but to the climbers it is a whole journey. It also represents the fear in the climbers. If 26 people are going for a walk in the park, it is fine, but 26 people on a mountain is anther story.
Each person adds another level of worry. When the climb is now going to be in groups, this lifts a huge burden on the climbers, especially the guides. Safety is number one.
Money - In this case money can buy anything. Even though the climbers are not that experience, they are still going on the trip because they paid a lot of money to the guides.
Trust is still an important theme. You must trust your group members to make sure that they climb on pace and help each other when needed. Also trust in yourself. Every climber needs to believe in themselves, if they are ever going to do this.
http://www.alpineascents.com/everest.asp
Here is a website on basically how to climb the mountain, key factors, what to bring and plan, etc.
Gives a good idea what is going in the minds of the guides (Hall). And also just a good idea of what these climbers are going through.
Each person adds another level of worry. When the climb is now going to be in groups, this lifts a huge burden on the climbers, especially the guides. Safety is number one.
Money - In this case money can buy anything. Even though the climbers are not that experience, they are still going on the trip because they paid a lot of money to the guides.
Trust is still an important theme. You must trust your group members to make sure that they climb on pace and help each other when needed. Also trust in yourself. Every climber needs to believe in themselves, if they are ever going to do this.
http://www.alpineascents.com/everest.asp
Here is a website on basically how to climb the mountain, key factors, what to bring and plan, etc.
Gives a good idea what is going in the minds of the guides (Hall). And also just a good idea of what these climbers are going through.
Week 2 - IR Blog Post 1 (Into Thin Air)
**This is going to be in somewhat of a Diary form from the view point of Jon Krakauer talking about the people place and events.**
As we are making it toward the base of Everest, I see so many types of people. Natives of the country are basically living off the land. But I also see many people that are Westernized, with their American sports team's shirts and American video games. But there is one thing most of these people have in common and that is embracing the fact that Everest is a huge tourist spot. They even have a whole museum (58) about Everest climbs. A huge chunk of the economy is based of this behemoth of a land formation.
I am having doubts about this trip. There are way too many people trying to climb at the same time and I am worried that someone will get lost or even die. I met these two guys, Hall and Harris, that are climbing with me and they are a little worried as well. They stress the fact that there are so many inexperienced climbers going along because they think guides are a free ticket to the summit. Hopefully they don't slow us down or ultimately make us not be able to make it.
Already, things have gotten ugly and we haven't even started climbing. Weather is becoming unbearable, environmental conditions are atrocious and people are already breaking limbs. Just hope our luck gets better.
YES, finally luck comes our way. Base camp is wonderful with heated water, fresh food and plenty of entertainment. This is a good way to start our ascent.
All of this soon disappears. The altitude is getting at me and I am wheezing heavily. (87) AND IT"S ONLY BASE CAMP!
Ok, we have decided a battle plan. We will climb to 4 camps before reaching the summit, each of which are 2000 feet higher than the previous. This way we can a rest and also make the process a little easier on our bodies and minds. Hall is an amazing guide, always on his toes and calculating the future making sure that we do not run into anything unexpected. We are, at least for me, are feeling much more comfortable climbing. Departure: April 13.
Climbing has started and so far it has not been to bad. Some climbers are falling behind so they had to turn back. Luckily my group is making good pace, maybe because Hall is our guide. We made it to Camp One fairly easily and will make our ascent to Camp 2 tomorrow.
I have found 2 dead bodies. That is not a good thing. 1 of them seemed to be Sherpa. Another is unknown. I hope this doesn't foreshadow any events.
Weather conditions have become increasingly hostile. Climbers are going down left and right and every day seems more bleak than the day before. Frostbite is starting to kick in as we climb for Camp three and we must turn back to thaw them out at Camp two. Even though the climb was hard, this day has finally sunk into us that the climb is going to be extremely difficult. "Even without unleashing the worst it could dish out, the mountain had sent us scurrying for safety" (163).
The summit is nearing, May 10 is our date.
As we are making it toward the base of Everest, I see so many types of people. Natives of the country are basically living off the land. But I also see many people that are Westernized, with their American sports team's shirts and American video games. But there is one thing most of these people have in common and that is embracing the fact that Everest is a huge tourist spot. They even have a whole museum (58) about Everest climbs. A huge chunk of the economy is based of this behemoth of a land formation.
I am having doubts about this trip. There are way too many people trying to climb at the same time and I am worried that someone will get lost or even die. I met these two guys, Hall and Harris, that are climbing with me and they are a little worried as well. They stress the fact that there are so many inexperienced climbers going along because they think guides are a free ticket to the summit. Hopefully they don't slow us down or ultimately make us not be able to make it.
Already, things have gotten ugly and we haven't even started climbing. Weather is becoming unbearable, environmental conditions are atrocious and people are already breaking limbs. Just hope our luck gets better.
YES, finally luck comes our way. Base camp is wonderful with heated water, fresh food and plenty of entertainment. This is a good way to start our ascent.
All of this soon disappears. The altitude is getting at me and I am wheezing heavily. (87) AND IT"S ONLY BASE CAMP!
Ok, we have decided a battle plan. We will climb to 4 camps before reaching the summit, each of which are 2000 feet higher than the previous. This way we can a rest and also make the process a little easier on our bodies and minds. Hall is an amazing guide, always on his toes and calculating the future making sure that we do not run into anything unexpected. We are, at least for me, are feeling much more comfortable climbing. Departure: April 13.
Climbing has started and so far it has not been to bad. Some climbers are falling behind so they had to turn back. Luckily my group is making good pace, maybe because Hall is our guide. We made it to Camp One fairly easily and will make our ascent to Camp 2 tomorrow.
I have found 2 dead bodies. That is not a good thing. 1 of them seemed to be Sherpa. Another is unknown. I hope this doesn't foreshadow any events.
Weather conditions have become increasingly hostile. Climbers are going down left and right and every day seems more bleak than the day before. Frostbite is starting to kick in as we climb for Camp three and we must turn back to thaw them out at Camp two. Even though the climb was hard, this day has finally sunk into us that the climb is going to be extremely difficult. "Even without unleashing the worst it could dish out, the mountain had sent us scurrying for safety" (163).
The summit is nearing, May 10 is our date.
Friday, February 25, 2011
R.A.F.T. Chile
**2,5,5,1
Alberto writing in the form of a poem to Che about obstacles and challenges**
My good friend Che, it has been one hell of a day,
My fingers and toes are about to freeze away.
If any part of my body falls off, my feet just may,
My mind is out of this world, can't even think like a lay.
And I reek so much I'm in desperate need of Garnier.
But luckily we find friendly Chilean Natives,
All of which were not at all passive.
Always so welcoming and always so willing to give,
From payment, to BBQs, to keeping us captive.
And without any of this, we would not likely be able to live.
All in all, the Chilean's had great hospitality,
They had an endless amount of generosity.
Completely opposite of other country's animosity,
Luckily our trip didn't end in an atrocity.
Because we happen to found caring Mapuches in every town and city.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
R.A.F.T. Australia
**2,4,1,1
Alberto talking to me through a letter about Argentina.**
February? 1952
En route to another lake in Chile
Dear Jon,
It has been a crazy journey through Argentina. We had many ups downs, literally. We trekked all over mountainous regions and through lakeside wildlife. It is so hard to stay on La Ponderosa, our mighty bike. She suffered a lot but she made it through. Che and I are extremely tired. We have to take turns driving and sleeping on the others back while driving. Luckily we are meeting many friendly and generous people that are taking us in and providing us shelter. One day we met a guy named Don Pendon who helped us get jobs as barbecue assistants. He wasn't able to pay us in pesos but he was able to pay us in food, which to us, is a gift from heaven. So far Argentina has been good to us. Not to many bumps in the road, except for the Medanos. There was so much sand everywhere we fell off our bike 7 times in one day. As we drive out of Argentina and near Chile, I can't stop thinking about that dog I shot. I swear it was a puma, but the intense bawling of the owner says otherwise. Hope Chile is just as inviting as Argentina.
Alberto Granado
Alberto talking to me through a letter about Argentina.**
February? 1952
En route to another lake in Chile
Dear Jon,
It has been a crazy journey through Argentina. We had many ups downs, literally. We trekked all over mountainous regions and through lakeside wildlife. It is so hard to stay on La Ponderosa, our mighty bike. She suffered a lot but she made it through. Che and I are extremely tired. We have to take turns driving and sleeping on the others back while driving. Luckily we are meeting many friendly and generous people that are taking us in and providing us shelter. One day we met a guy named Don Pendon who helped us get jobs as barbecue assistants. He wasn't able to pay us in pesos but he was able to pay us in food, which to us, is a gift from heaven. So far Argentina has been good to us. Not to many bumps in the road, except for the Medanos. There was so much sand everywhere we fell off our bike 7 times in one day. As we drive out of Argentina and near Chile, I can't stop thinking about that dog I shot. I swear it was a puma, but the intense bawling of the owner says otherwise. Hope Chile is just as inviting as Argentina.
Alberto Granado
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
R.A.F.T. Introduction
5 (Wild Card - Tweet)
learned bout this dude name che and his sounds like a chillin dude. prolly gonna learn about his amazing journey, struggles and feats
learned bout this dude name che and his sounds like a chillin dude. prolly gonna learn about his amazing journey, struggles and feats
Sunday, February 13, 2011
TMD Preview
1. I expect this novel to be very personnel. The author will put a lot of emotions into the writing. I feel like it is not going to be a deep reading story like Invisible Man. It will be very simple, entertaining but with a life changing ending. Since it is a dairy, it will have lots of first hand accounts of many different experiences throughout their journey.
2. Maybe they will run into government officials as they are crossing the border and be kept in captivity for a while. We did learn about how many countries were unstable so I expect some kind of issue with the government. 180 south seemed to not have that many problems expect for the mast on the boat and the final climb. That movie seemed very easy, at least from what I can remember. They could run into money problems because they are sort of young and going on a road trip is pretty risky.
3. This book will be extremely different, a total turn around from the first two. It will certainly not be as in depth as Invisible Man and certainly not have many symbols and character conflicts as The Great Gatsby. This book will probably be more of an entertaining read with many exciting experiences.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Week 1 - IR Blog Post 3 (Into Thin Air)
My biggest question is why do people do things like this? This risky life threatening experience seems to much for me but to these people, they live for these moments. Jon studied the mountain and previous climbers. He was very motivated to do something like this and it still doesn't make sense to me. People just like to have that feeling of accomplishment and life threatening thrill, I guess. I certainly cannot connect with this because I have never done anything so extreme or anything close to it. I have always been on safe land and safe waters. I cannot see myself in these guys' shoes, climbing the tallest mountain in the world. It would be great to be on the very top, but it is to unknown for me.
This website is an article that Jon wrote and it talks about the ascent a little bit. At one point he hasn't slept for 57 hours! Not sleeping for 24 hours is bad enough...at sea level, but 57 hours without sleep where oxygen levels are decreasing is insane. I wonder what made him keep going. And to top the no sleep off, he has only eaten a bowl of Ramen soup and some M&Ms, leading up to the no sleep. This is just insane.
Week 1 - IR Blog Post 2 (Into Thin Air)
I feel that a big theme of this book is trust. There needs to be a lot of trust among all the climbers if they plan to ascend the tallest mountain of the world. But the problem with this is that pretty much the whole team is made up with a bunch of strangers. So trust is even more important than usual.
So far, in the first few chapters, this has only been a trip/maybe a journey. Jon is reporting for the Outside Magazine and is being payed to escort a man to the top. I assume that it will turn into a quest once they fully enter the heart of Mt. Everest. Also, back in the documentary 180 South, there was a quote, I forgot by whom, that said, "when everything goes wrong that's when it is an adventure." I feel like this will be the same thing. I think that something will go terribly wrong and the climbers will have a struggle to even live. We learned that every journey is a quest, and this is going to be one of them.
This video is about the large group of people, just like in this story, going for the summit and reaching. The weather seems great and this is what I think will not happen to Jon and the rest of the climbers. I think it will be the complete opposite and be a huge struggle to get to the top.
Week 1 - IR Blog Post 1 (Into Thin Air)
The book starts off with the main character, Jon Krakauer in the middle of climbing Mt. Everest. It is kind of like what happen in Invisible Man in the fact that it tells you the ending before the story starts. But this doesn't say the discrete ending. During the first chapter he explains how bad the condition he is in while climbing the mountain. "...incapable of feeling much of anything except cold and tired". (4) This quote pretty much sums up the climb in laymen terms. It is just a depressing hopeless journey that he goes through. The next important person, or in this case, group is the Outside Magazine. The publishers wanted a story on Mt. Everest and to do that he must climb it. And of course the most important place of this whole entire story is Mt. Everest. Another man, by the name of Dick Bass, is a millionaire that is paying Jon to guide him to the top. With the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, he sets forth the journey. Another person he meets is Andy Harris, a guide to help others wanting to scale the tallest mountain in the world. Throughout the first chapters he meets many people that are also going on the trip and Jon fears that such a big group might be trouble.
Symbol - Cold, Tiredness = The agony and despair that the climbers are going through and the little hope that they have to even get out alive.
Each Camp Site - The camp sites are mini destinations all leading up to the final destination of the summit. It gives the climbers an easier goal instead of the one big climb.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Theme #4 Reflection
1. I did pretty well. I got an 85 and I am satisfied with it. Obviously an A would be much better but and 85 is satisfactory. But one thing that I thought I would get more points on was the amount of quotes and book reference I used. But apparently I was redundant and lost points. I felt like they were all useful.
2. Focus and being able to say things in a concise matter. That was my biggest problem with this paper and this is want biggest opportunity areafor my writing. In most of papers, I get 2 or 3 points off just for conventions and being in a honors 12 grade english class, that is unexceptable. I should be getting no points off for conventions so I need to step up my game for that. I need to get in the habit of reading the paper out loud in order to find mistakes more easily.
3. Even though I had really developed points, I only had 2 different people. I had multiple examples for each of these characters but I feel like if I had 3 people, each having multiple examples, then I would have a better grade. Therefore next time I could research a little more and find and write 3 fully developed points.
2. Focus and being able to say things in a concise matter. That was my biggest problem with this paper and this is want biggest opportunity areafor my writing. In most of papers, I get 2 or 3 points off just for conventions and being in a honors 12 grade english class, that is unexceptable. I should be getting no points off for conventions so I need to step up my game for that. I need to get in the habit of reading the paper out loud in order to find mistakes more easily.
3. Even though I had really developed points, I only had 2 different people. I had multiple examples for each of these characters but I feel like if I had 3 people, each having multiple examples, then I would have a better grade. Therefore next time I could research a little more and find and write 3 fully developed points.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
180' South Reflection
"Growth is inevitable, but can we sustain this pace for long?"
Throughout the documentary, Jeff meets many people that are living off the land and basically "one with nature". But society is trying to industrializing and build more factories, more sky scrapers, etc. Growth was wanted from society in order to make money off these new sites. But for these nature people, society's growth is actually detrimental for them. They like this simple life, they like to live off the land and connect with nature. Growth is usually positive, but in terms of Jeff's Journey and all that he learned, it is not good and should be slowed down. Yvonn and Doug want to conserve land, preserve nature, which is what they learned on their adventure. Jeff came to that conclusion after his journey.
Also, there was another quote saying that if you are at the edge of the cliff, is taking a step of the cliff forward or turning around and taking a step going forward? These two quotes, I feel go hand in hand. At one point of all this growth and advancement, there will be no where to go. So maybe the next step forward, the way to progress is to stop and take a step backwards.
Since I am only in High School, from here on out is forward progress. I have college ahead and then a working life ahead. So at this point in my life, growth is inevitable. Even when I do get a job, growth will still be happening since I would always want to get a better job and a better life. Maybe when I retire when growth will no longer sustain and will eventually end.
Throughout the documentary, Jeff meets many people that are living off the land and basically "one with nature". But society is trying to industrializing and build more factories, more sky scrapers, etc. Growth was wanted from society in order to make money off these new sites. But for these nature people, society's growth is actually detrimental for them. They like this simple life, they like to live off the land and connect with nature. Growth is usually positive, but in terms of Jeff's Journey and all that he learned, it is not good and should be slowed down. Yvonn and Doug want to conserve land, preserve nature, which is what they learned on their adventure. Jeff came to that conclusion after his journey.
Also, there was another quote saying that if you are at the edge of the cliff, is taking a step of the cliff forward or turning around and taking a step going forward? These two quotes, I feel go hand in hand. At one point of all this growth and advancement, there will be no where to go. So maybe the next step forward, the way to progress is to stop and take a step backwards.
Since I am only in High School, from here on out is forward progress. I have college ahead and then a working life ahead. So at this point in my life, growth is inevitable. Even when I do get a job, growth will still be happening since I would always want to get a better job and a better life. Maybe when I retire when growth will no longer sustain and will eventually end.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
MP #2 Reflection - Looking Back and Moving Forward
Marking Period 2 was a pretty hectic time with a whole ton of work. All those supplements were a pain to go through but definitely necessary to fully understand Invisible Man. My work ethic could have been much better. Everyone could walk out of any class any get an A in it if they truly work for it. But that s not the case all the time, and I could have worked harder. The biggest challenge of this 1st semester was without a doubt the symposiums. I struggle with expressing my opinion through talk and unfortunately symposiums are heavily weighted senior year. Hopefully I can overcome this.
I honestly didn't feel like I did well on anything, just average. I did below average on things like the symposium. The biggest area of improvement is the symposium.
I think that I am going to have to stay focused and make sure senioritis doesn't take the best of me. Even though it is taking over already, hopefully I can contain it long enough until summer rolls around. Once again symposiums will probably haunt me so I am going to have to overcome that problem.
I honestly didn't feel like I did well on anything, just average. I did below average on things like the symposium. The biggest area of improvement is the symposium.
I think that I am going to have to stay focused and make sure senioritis doesn't take the best of me. Even though it is taking over already, hopefully I can contain it long enough until summer rolls around. Once again symposiums will probably haunt me so I am going to have to overcome that problem.
Monday, January 10, 2011
IR MP #2 Blog Assignment - Reflection
1. What is your reaction to the IR format and assignment we did this M.P.? Be specific as to likes, dislikes, etc...
It was a nice change of pace from what we usually do for IR projects. Instead of reading hundred of pages on something that probably will not stay in our brains for the future, we get to follow topics and happenings on things that we like to follow. Some students will like to follow sports and others music so this is a good way to express it through blogs.
2. What did you learn by following current blogs and websites?
Since I followed up on CNN news and current issues, I learned a good amount of things going on with our world and country such as the Wikileaks issue and tech happenings, etc.
3. What would you change for next year?
This is a really good idea to loosen up things and make students lives easier considering Invisible Man section is so extensive. Therefore no changes are needed.
4. Can you see yourself continuing with this on your own?
Maybe not the actual blogging part but I can see myself looking through CNN, ESPN, People websites and reading topics to be up to date.
It was a nice change of pace from what we usually do for IR projects. Instead of reading hundred of pages on something that probably will not stay in our brains for the future, we get to follow topics and happenings on things that we like to follow. Some students will like to follow sports and others music so this is a good way to express it through blogs.
2. What did you learn by following current blogs and websites?
Since I followed up on CNN news and current issues, I learned a good amount of things going on with our world and country such as the Wikileaks issue and tech happenings, etc.
3. What would you change for next year?
This is a really good idea to loosen up things and make students lives easier considering Invisible Man section is so extensive. Therefore no changes are needed.
4. Can you see yourself continuing with this on your own?
Maybe not the actual blogging part but I can see myself looking through CNN, ESPN, People websites and reading topics to be up to date.
Friday, January 7, 2011
IR Blog Post 4: China's Airforce
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/05/china.us.fighter.jets/index.html?hpt=Sbin
China has recently been making a jet fighter plane called the J-20 which has made a lot of buzz, especially to the US military. But Pentagon Officials are insisting that the fighter does not exceed the F-22. At best they are matching them. However the J-20 will not be fully functional until 2017 and by then, US might be one step ahead of the F-22. Even if the J-20 has matched the F-22, the US military is not afraid. US has been far superior in air combat since World War II.
Will China, or any country, eventually be able to pass the US air force?
Is it really necessary to focus so much on military when other things are probably more important like education and the economy of the country?
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0105/J-20-stealth-fighter-photos-Did-China-leak-them-intentionally
This site is about how China might be trying to scare other countries with the leaked pictures of their new fighter jet. This article mostly is about a thought of why the pictures were leaked and if they were on purpose or not.
Inevitability - incapable of being avoided
China has recently been making a jet fighter plane called the J-20 which has made a lot of buzz, especially to the US military. But Pentagon Officials are insisting that the fighter does not exceed the F-22. At best they are matching them. However the J-20 will not be fully functional until 2017 and by then, US might be one step ahead of the F-22. Even if the J-20 has matched the F-22, the US military is not afraid. US has been far superior in air combat since World War II.
Will China, or any country, eventually be able to pass the US air force?
Is it really necessary to focus so much on military when other things are probably more important like education and the economy of the country?
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0105/J-20-stealth-fighter-photos-Did-China-leak-them-intentionally
This site is about how China might be trying to scare other countries with the leaked pictures of their new fighter jet. This article mostly is about a thought of why the pictures were leaked and if they were on purpose or not.
Inevitability - incapable of being avoided
IR Blog Post 4: Homeless Man With The God Given Voice
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/06/golden.voice.homeless/index.html
This is one of the craziest things I have read and watched. There was a viral video about a homeless man, Ted Williams, with an amazing radio voice and now a couple days later after the video, he gets a job offer and is voicing for many different stations. I saw the first video of the man being first interviewed on the streets on youtube and just a couple days later I see him on the NBC Today show. It is just a miracle for this man and his god given voice, as he states on his sign while being homeless. Now he is cleanly cut freshly looking man with many job offers.
Who was the guy that found him originally? Was he a random citizen or a person from the radio business?
Will Ted Williams pay any "thank you" money to the man that found him?
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/the-week-in-ted-williams-so-far/
Through this miracle of his, Ted will be able to reunite with his 90 year old mother. His life has truly turned upside down for the good.
No New Vocab
This is one of the craziest things I have read and watched. There was a viral video about a homeless man, Ted Williams, with an amazing radio voice and now a couple days later after the video, he gets a job offer and is voicing for many different stations. I saw the first video of the man being first interviewed on the streets on youtube and just a couple days later I see him on the NBC Today show. It is just a miracle for this man and his god given voice, as he states on his sign while being homeless. Now he is cleanly cut freshly looking man with many job offers.
Who was the guy that found him originally? Was he a random citizen or a person from the radio business?
Will Ted Williams pay any "thank you" money to the man that found him?
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/the-week-in-ted-williams-so-far/
Through this miracle of his, Ted will be able to reunite with his 90 year old mother. His life has truly turned upside down for the good.
No New Vocab
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