Response To Literature- WOW :]

     Our group- Jennifer and Anna - chose the story “The Wise Old Woman” by Yoshiko Uchida. It is a short story that tells a lesson- or moral- about ageism. The theme of the story is: Don’t judge people based on their age. Treat them with honor and respect, because that’s what they truly deserve.
     “The Wise Old Woman” is a story that takes place in a village in China. There was a cruel young lord that ruled over the area. He commanded his villagers to send away all the people who are older than seventy- one years old to the mountains and let them die there. He thought that all the old women or men have no strength, and that they are useless. Years passed; soon there were no old individuals left.
     There was a young farmer who lived in that village. He had a mother who reached the age of seventy- one. The farmer loved his mother; therefore he broke the rules and kept his mother in a small room in secret. Days passed, and Lord Higa of the town beyond the hills threatened to control the land if the villagers couldn't solve the riddles he gave them. The cruel young lord told his people so solve them, but they couldn't. The farmer came to ask his mother for help; and after three tasks, she solved them all easily. The young lord found out about it when the son told him, and canceled the mean order he gave. He figured out: even though old people didn't have strength, they still have the wisdom that most young people don't.
     The theme “Don’t judge people based on their age” tells people that we shouldn’t mistreat people just because they are too young or too old. That is what ageism means: regarding aged persons as unworthy, and unsuitable for attention. Elderly people usually get treated badly because others think they’re too old to do anything useful for them. However, that is wrong. Old people have more experiences they’ve been through their whole life, and therefore, they have more wisdom. Even if they don’t have strength like young ones, but they’re smart, at least. Elderly individuals are also human beings, too, just like every other person on this planet. And remember this: someday you’re going to be like them, no matter what- well, unless you die soon. It’s not fair for them to not be accepted just because they’re aged.
     There are some parts in the story that shows that old people- even female or male- is worth taking care for. On page two hundred and twelve, the young lord complimented the old woman: “’I have been very wrong,’ he said finally. ‘Never again will I demand that the old people of our village be sent to the mountains to die. Rather, they will be treated with the respect and honor they deserve and share with us the wisdom of their years.’” There was another one on page two hundred and ten, when the farmer told his mom: “’Mother, you are wonderfully wise.’” There were some other parts when the woman solved all of the questions, when none of the villagers can and all of them were surprised by the answers.
     Old people have tried to live up and spent their whole lives helping others, so they deserve respect and honor from other people. The theme “Don’t judge people based on their age” tells you a lesson to not make others sad, hurt, and behave with disgusted eyes, especially old ones. Deal with them the way you want younger children to act in front of you when you get aged.

Cotton Candy =]]

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Vocab words

1. Mesmerized- Percy was completely mesmerized by the beautiful ocean view. 2. Impeccably- When I see your impeccably perfect face, there's not a thing that I would change.
3. Petrified- She was petrified when she saw the ghost.
4. Stoically- He works stoically at everything.
5. Dissuade- The teacher dissuaded the student from taking a dangerous risk.
6. Chaotic- The room was messy and chaotic.
7. Negotiated- India and Pakistan negotiated with each other to share the land.
8. Acquistition- It's not good when you acquistitate something people want to have.
9. Corps- Your father is a corp; he takes place in the army.
10. Commemorate- People are usually silence to commemorate dead people.
11. Mimicking- He hates it when people mimicks or copy him.
12. Resembles- Your hair resembles his. You guys have the same blonde hair.

Gentlemen of Rio En Medio- Literaly Focus

13. This story is told from the point of view of a narrator who is a character in the story. How might this story differ if Don Anselmo were the narrator?

I think this story might be a little different. The setting, time, and some of the characters will be the same, but probably the rising/ falling action, conflict, and resolution'll be a little bit different. The story's point of view changes entirely, too. It might talk more about Don Anselmo's feelings, and the characters might be different, because there may be more or less people, based on the relationships between him and others. We can also get a chance to find out the reasons why he does things his way, like selling the house and explaining what was going on to the customer. There's a possible that he would tell the pasts, how the trees of the village- or people- connects to the plot. In my opinion, the story will change, but there will be some things that stays the same.

Vocabs for Stop The Sun & Gentlemen of Rio En Medio

Stop The Sun:
1. There was a commotion near my house in the middle of the night.
2. He didn't organize his folder, that's why it got foundered.
3. All the work the group did was ruined because she lost the paper.
4. Dad's shoulder usually get inered, probably because he works too much. =]

Gentllemen of Rio En Medio:
1. The two companies negotiated with each other to not fight over something so silly.
2. I like how there are innumerable amount of stars in the sky.
3. I'm a descendant of my granparents! :D
4. The boundaries between countries isolated them.

Stop The Sun Assessment # 7

7. Do you think Terry made the right decision about questioning his father on his experience in Vietnam? Why or why not?

From my perspective, people usually get annoyed when someone tries to figure out something by asking them questions. They might even think those people are nosy, while what they wanted to do was just trying to understand something, like Terry and his mother. People wouldn't really ask private questions often, because they think it would disturb others.
But in Terry's case, I think it might be okay. It might even be good for him to be curious. He was just worried about his father and tried to find a way to get the idea. People usually say that talking to someone about something terrible might make you feel better, in a way. That was what happened to Terry's father, too. His mother- who didn't want him to know about anything in the Vietnam war- probably told him to be quite because she thought it was best for him, and for his dad. Also because Terry asked, his father told him all about the war and his sadness. In my opinion, he might feel a bit relieved, telling someone what he's been suffering. Terry's curiousness led to something good, I think.

Short story

It was a cool and chilly early morning, when the fog was fading away as the sun rose. Maryland- a state in USA- was always cold in the morning. All the places were peaceful and quiet, except for one. There was an area where the gangs and violent people surround, and I was one of them.

            My body was badly injured by all the wounds a group of boys made. They beat me up because they thought I was sneaking into their area, just because I looked like a wanderer, wearing black clothes with blood stains on it, and golden hair that I dyed on top of my tall body. It was normal, anyway. When I was ten I already fell in with the bad guys, and stayed like that until the current time- when I was about seventeen. We’d fight, start fire, and did other things that would attract the police to come to get us. Usually people would beat me, or I beat them.

I trotted tardily to a nearby school, where I was supposed to study in. The nurse office with the medicine smell was where I planned to go. All the students and teachers stared at me as I walked in the hallway, especially my wounds, and whispered to each other. They always said rumors about me. Even my parents didn’t care about me, saying I was a worthless daughter. Well, they’re the ones who made me this way. They never actually cared about someone other than themselves or ask me what’s wrong. We barely ever ate together or talk to each other. That was when I became hopeless and joined a gang. I had no friends in school, not a single one, in my whole life, because they were afraid of me. “Life doesn’t go smoothly…”, I once thought, “…but I’m used to it.”

            I went out of the clinic, having a bunch of bandages all over my body. It was irritating, therefore I took all of them off and threw it to the floor. “Good morning!” A voiced sounded behind my back. I turned around, identifying a girl my age with blue eyes and short brown hair. She was much shorter than me, but still gave out a bright smile, “Your name’s Kara Harney, right? My name’s Hope Aviary. Nice to meet you, Kara!” My name was common at that time, because I was the only gang in the school. “Your golden hair is really long! It’s so pretty! How about—“

            “What business do you have here?” I almost yelled, hearing the childish, innocent voice of hers.

“Oh, I just want to make friends with you. Can I?”

That was the first time anyone’s ever wanted to be friends with me. The girl was so stupid; she’d get involved in the fights and have other students say things about her. I glared at her with cold firing eyes and walked away. Was she just too nice, or just simply foolish?

“W- Wait!” Hope ran after me, panting heavily, “Please be friends with me!” She held out her hand, waiting for me to hold it.

“Why should I, idiot?” My voice was as cold as ice.

“Because I like you…” Her hand was still there, “…as a friend.”

“But I don’t!” I slapped her hand, “I hate you!”
 She was speechless, and I guiltily disappeared from her sight. I was just lying to her to make her give up, because she would really regret being near me. I closed my eyes and tightened my hands and mouth, letting myself walk freely out the school gate.

Bang!

My head hit something. I raised my head up, realizing the tall and strong boy I met this morning who injured me. The boy dangerously stared at me, and punched my face real hard when he finally identified the girl he met that morning. I fell heavily down the empty road and leaned my back on the wall, “Huh, such a slow person you are.” I teased and kicked him. I know that that just only raised his anger. He took an iron pipe off the corner and raised it high, readying to attack me with it.

Slap.

The boy stood still. I could tell he was hit by something kind of soft behind his back. We turned around, and I was deeply surprised: it was Hope, the girl who tried to be friends with me. She was holding her bag, looking terrified with her trembling hands and legs. Why did she even help me? I already said I didn’t want to make friends with her. An object hit my head, and I fell unconscious.

I opened my eyes and saw Hope standing there, shaking me.

“Are you okay, Kara?” She sighed in relief, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop it, and I can’t hold the blood either. He must’ve took the pipe and attack you. He ran away after that, thank goodness! I’m so sorry! I couldn’t be much more of help, if I was stronger…“

“Why did you help me?” I murmured softly, still feeling ill because of the wound.

“Eh?” She said, puzzled, “I couldn’t just stand there and let you fight alone. Oh and there’s one more thing,” Hope reached out her hand in front of me, “Would you still be my friend?”

I hesitated. I’ve never seen an innocent and gullible girl be so stubborn, “Stop, you’ll regret it! Do you know you’d get involved in stuffs like this if you go near me? I couldn’t change, when I reached this far.” I almost shouted, “Nobody ever loved me for who I am, and I have no friends…”

“You have one now, if you can just go a bit further.” The little girl smiled gently, “Nobody can change the whole thing. Just a little is enough.” I stared at her blankly. My hand slowly reached out to hers as the warm sun went down.

DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH

She was the first person who talked to me when I entered AIS in sixth grade. Her tied up black, wavy hair revealed her dark eyes and bright face clearly. I could tell that she was friendly and energetic with her light body along with her long coat. Her smile made me feel comfortable when I was with her.

"A Retrieved Reformation" Vocab

1. Your parents always wanted you to rehabilitate and become a good person.
2. She always clemency people even though they did something wrong to make her mad.
3. The ball was elusive because he threw it too high.
4. Mean people causes anguish to others.

INTERVIEW

1. Where were your parents born?
    - Annie: Dad: Ca Mau
                 Mom: HCMC
    - Me: Dad: HCMC
             Mom: HCMC

2. What's your favorite food?
    - Annie: Brownie and Marsh potatoes.
    - Me: Fish and many kinds of chocolate :)

3. What do you like to do?
    - Annie: Chat and listen to music
    - Me: Have fun with my friends and make people happy

4. What is the most important thing in your life?
    -Annie: My friends and my grade
   - Me: Happiness, my friends and family

Through the interview, I realized that both our parents (except for her father) were born in Ho Chi Minh city, and that our friends are really important to us. But we have very different taste and hobbies that we like. How and where we live influenced our way of thinking, I guess.

Vocab...! :)

1. My French teacher is really tedious because he gives a lot of homework and we never understand him.
2. Her clothes are so... archaic, they're old and nobody wears them now.
3. His lessons are not vague, we never get it.
4. I was inquiring my friends about what the teacher was saying.

Vocab for "Monkey's Paw" & "Aunt Misery"

1. The students were amiably doing the Spelling Bee contest.
2. It was presumptuous of him for thinking he would get the highest grade in English. :)
3. That girl's credulity is so cute.
4. Thank you for your hospitality.
5. The stick was gnarled.

Vocab

1. The trip to Dam Sen was impromptu.
2. Lance went to the principal's office and tentatively opened the door.
3. Mr. Elliot examined the water fleas intently.
4. Jim was probing through his book-bag to find the assignment.
5. There was an ominous sound behind the window.

Narrative essay- My Trip To America

“Wake up! Wake up, Anna!” A voice called me, “We’re nearly there!”


“Nn… let me sleep for a little while…” I turned my back to the other side of the chair, hoping I could continue my dream.

“No! Look!” A person pushed me to the small airplane window and I hit my head.

“Ouch… what was that for…?” I turned back, realizing the person beside me was Annie, my cousin, looking so excited.

“Ah, finally woke up, huh?” She smiled, “Look, we’re here! We’re in America!”

“You know I’m not a morning person, do you?” I’m always in a bad mood when I wake up, “What’s down there?”

I looked down. It was a huge area with many buildings and green trees, so different than Vietnam.

“Oh, yay... at last!” I sighed in happiness. The airplane was making me hurt my back, sleeping on a chair with no place to lie down.

The plane slowly flew down and finally touched the ground. After a while, it stopped. We went down the plane and walked to the airport. I’m in Maryland!

We were heading towards Maryland, a state in USA. My family (including my brother, cousins, aunt, etc…) was on the flight, too. This is the first time I’ve been to America in the past eleven years of my life. We planned to visit our paternal family’s side’s home and for us to just go to America for the first time.

My dad’s family came to pick us up: my aunt, uncle and their two sons. We drove in a car to their house. The highway was wide, with the green trees along the side. Finally we reached a tiny cute house! The inside was big and pretty. There was an enormous dog and a black cat; I loved them so much! We then visited Kristine’s –my cousin’s- friend: Susy. When we arrived, I stood there in a corner, watching. I didn’t want to interfere with anything they were saying and while they were having fun.

“Anna, why won’t you come and say hi?” Kristine said.

“Nn...” I murmured. I had nothing to say, and had no idea who Susy was, either. I was not always good with strangers. I didn’t know how to interact with people, and they couldn’t find a way to speak with me, just because I’m too shy and silent. I’ve always wanted to be a more open and attractive person, like the Americans. I just didn’t know how. I guess I was just afraid that others wouldn’t accept me for who I am.

“Hi, I’m Susy.” She came and said hello to me, “You’re Anna, right?”

“Um, h-hi…” I said. We talked a little, and a few hours later, we all came home.

I had a lot of fun. We visited a dinosaur museum, zoo, an aquarium, a tall building where you can look down and see the whole town, Six flags, Boston, and all other wonderful places. However, the place I liked the most was the small park near uncle’s house. Every night we would go there and catch fireflies. I’ve never seen one before in real life, so I caught some with my cousins and put them in a jar. Too bad they all died before we released them. But I really liked fireflies; they were like thousands of small warm lights that lit up the dark night.

Three weeks had passed and it was time to go back to Vietnam to prepare for the new school year. We said goodbye to our dad’s family and went back to the airport. Soon we all went on the plane and arrived back to Vietnam after I woke up. I prepared my bags, books and things for the new semester. Within a week after that, I began to pack my bag up for tomorrow’s first day of school.

“I’m going to miss America…” I sighed.

“Who wouldn’t?” My older cousin laughed as she helped me prepare my books.

“Yes! USA is so beautiful and clean and…” I suddenly got excited, but then my voice lowered, “…the people there are so friendly and open up. Hey, would you hate me… if I change?”

“Of course not! Well, if it’s a bad one… but no, never. Why?”

“I wanted to be like them, you know. But never mind, I’m just sayin’ it.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re afraid. I know you’re scared. But if you like you for who you are, I’m sure others would, too. No one would dislike you. You can change whenever you feel like it.”

I looked at her for a while. Then I continued my job on preparing my bag, giggling, “Yeah…”

The next day I and my cousin went back to AIS. We got so excited to be back to greet our friends. It was crowded in the hallways. After taking the calendar and the semester’s schedule, I walked to the first period’s classroom and opened the door. I looked around. It was a different class with many students I don’t know. A person changes when they want to. I took a deep breathe:

“Hi everyone!” I shouted, “How was your summer!?”

Flowers for Algernon ~No.9~

I think it's unfair for people to dislike others who are different from them. In my opinion, people think they're weird or annoying or something like that. Sometimes people are just jealous because they are better than them but sometimes they dislike people because they look down on them for being stupid or strange, just like what the workers in the company treat Charlie Gordon. It may drive people into a corner because they are hated and wouldn't know what to do. People'll be sad if they're ignored and hated by others and they'll get lonely. Like the feelings of Charlie when he realizes how badly his friends treat him. It's not good for people to dislike others who are different than them because it'll hurt other people's feelings.