Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Introduction

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", a sermon by Jonathon Edwards delivered on July 8, 1741, struck fear into the hearts of all Christians of its time.  This sermon is extremely famous and was delivered to the colonies and help start the "Great Awakening".  The "Great Awakening" led people to seek salvation and to follow the lessons of the Bible.  This sermon made colonists fear God and brought them into real realization of Hell.   Edwards was kind to many people, and that is how he felt the need to help his people through his sermon.  His sermon was expressed to save everyones souls.  This sermon changed many of the people of this era's ways of life, seeking help from their religion and following it to the strictest degree.

The pictures in this video try to depict the true intensity on how Edwards' sermon was engrossed by the people.  It was graphic, and truly showed how the wrath of God could cast down upon the people.  It probably had spoken of how God would punish those who did not live in the light of Christianity, and his word.  Edwards attempted to show people the truest punishments that could be inflicted upon them if they do not follow his example and seek salvation.  This sermon brought fear into everyones eyes, and allowed people a second chance to try to save themselves from God's wrath.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Crucible Post 1

The power in Salem falls shifts at the end of Act 1 drastically towards the girls.  They hold control, because they can accuse others of being a witch.  Mr. Putnam’s daughter, for example, is used to gain land from other people by accusing them of being a witch.  Abigail is the main female driving force, she has complete control over everyone that she needs to have.  Through history, women played a small role in society, if any at all.  It is ironic that the sides could shift so drastically, even in a strict Puritan society, where women were barely looked well upon.  The Puritan society still will jump to conclusions without a doubt in their mind to look upon the devil as the excuse, even though it was accused by a couple of young girls.  In Salem, anyone who could point their finger and call out a witch held power over the Church, because it was against the religion and Church.  The power of this story is held by young women, whereas throughout that time, it was most likely not the case.  

Monday, September 12, 2011

Descriptive Post

A forest gently curves along a rolling plain of lively, green grass.  Light illuminates through the edge of the branches, allowing a break away from the darkness of a forest, and giving an air of happiness.  The trees stand tall, reaching towards that light, so they can feel taller than the ground below.  Within the forest, darkness creeps upon the army of trees, illustrating the contrast where the darkest part and the light mix.  Painted in green, this picture is seen through green light, and life is full of growth.  As the light filters through the electric green leaves, the scene is illustrated peacefully, where the trees, light, and grass are combined in one view of perfect harmony.  The branches reach outward, breaking the edge of the forest, as if they are parting with a friend.  The light breaks through darkness, green turns to black, and the forest is peaceful, where within the barriers may be disturbed peace, waiting for the moment to relax and become bright and lively once again. 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Class Expectations

English class is an extremely valuable learning tool, one that demands talent, not only the right answers, and if this talent is acquired, the options are limitless as an English scholar. In an honors English classroom, there are certain expectations called into view for each student that illustrate how to succeed. The expectations presented are among high standards, where a student must be organized, respectful, and hardworking throughout the entire lapse of the school year.

Arriving to class on time with all the necessary materials only breaches the surface of being an organized person. Organizational habits are extremely important throughout life, let alone as a student in school. Being a focused and attentive student throughout the class period shows control through actions and situations. A clearly organized writing piece and an essay also shows talent and is easier to read. Being organized is a way to show dedication through what is expected as a student. This also goes for many other ways to excel, like sports and other activities where a sloppy job will not win a game. The same goes for classes, the ones who arrive late or do not have all the materials they need generally will do worse. Organization is an expectation asked by teachers so students are given the chance to try their very best.

Undeniably, respect is a universal rule in day to day living. Everyone deals with situations where being respectful is accepted and expected out of each individual, no matter the consequences. Being respectful in an Honors English class at South High School requires the individuals to respect their own work and those around them. Plagiarism and the taking of others work is not an option that will go unpunished. The stealing of others work is disrespectful to the person who steals it, the others who actually took time out of their day to complete an assignment, let alone to the person who had their work stolen from them. Showing respect also to the teacher displays that their job is important and that learning is not a punishment, but actually an honor to withold, because others in the world are not so lucky. Each writing piece is unique in their own ways, and to respect own writing by taking pride in every assignment allows growth, while accepting flaws. While in a challenging and beneficiary class, a key role of respect will allow the chance of mental growth and learning throughout the year.

Obviously, a slackers work will not win or earn "A's" in the classroom. Being a hardworker at all times will assure an individual that they are going to do considerably better than those who do not try or procrastinate until the last minute. Pushing themselves to the extreme limits through writing will help growth, and trying the possible best they can do will definitely show improvement. Someone who tries is actually better off because it shows their skills now and how they can improve and grow. An honors student should be able to folow directions and be attentive throughout an entire lesson. Not being able to listen will show hrough writing, and those who do and work hard will be rewarded. Realizing and accepting strengths and weaknesses will help allow writing to expand and become better than before through improvement. A hardworker shows commitment, dedication, and willingness to improve and succeed.

Consequently, in an honors American Literature class, the expectations rise more so that other, simpler classes, where being organized, respectful, and hardworking will be demanded from each and every individual.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

About Me

Hey! So my names Regan, named after the Shakespearean character from King Leer.  I have two younger sisters, and a mother.  I love excercising and working out, because I am a very athletic person.  Rowing is my life, where we cross train on Bell Isle and run miles upon miles, erg (or use those big rowing machines) and erg for miles, and I also use this thing called an oar to paddle my way through the Detroit River because I have that much skill.  I've been rowing since last Spring and I love it, it has truly become a place where I can go to compete, meet new friends, and push myself to my phisical limits.  Formerly, I was a synchronized swimmer for the Blue Dolphins South team, and won a state champion title in a group number.  It was exciting at the state competition, learning that we were a good match against the other high schools!  Sports have become my life and drive, where I push myself to my limits and always come back the next day with bruises and cuts: battle scars, as I like to say.

Over the Summer, I worked at the City Park Pool as a lifeguard and a synchronized swimming coach.  It is amazing all the funny things you can learn while working with kids, being their coach, and actually experiencing the feeling behind the sport, where the coaching comes in and direction.  The theme we expressed in our performances was all about girl power and inner strength, and I learned through all the girls I coached that they were each strong at whatever they did, even if they had been beginners into the sport, that under direction, they shined just as much as my solo number had.  I take pride in completing things, and pulling something together that is worthwhile the stress.  My sisters are both synchronized swimmers with me, and even though the sport is not well looked upon as a tough sport, anyone who tries it out will admit that it really is not as easy as they thought before.  The video above is from the 2000 Olympics, where a team from Japan is competing.

One of my loves is music.  I love almost all music, from country to rock and screamo.  My iPod is practically full to the brim with music, and all day I will be on YouTube looking up new music to listen to.  My favorite artist is Josiah Leming, an indie artist who was once on American Idol, but had not made it through.  I also love the band called Rise Against, because their music is very influential on lives, where in one song called Make It Stop (Septembers Children) deals with teenage suicide.  I play the violin, and lack great talent, but I still wouldn't consider myself terrible.  My favorite band, however, by far is The Beatles.  I love Paul McCartney with a passion!  I posted a picture of Josiah Leming below, somewhere...

In the eighth grade after my father had passed away the previous summer, we were assigned to write a memoir on something that changed your perspectives of life, or just was an influential moment that you will remember forever.  I wrote about the first couple of weeks after he passed, and how my best friend moved away to Libya almost right after.  I recieved an A+, and they wanted to post it in the schools literature magazine later on that year.  My teacher actually had sent it in to the Scholastic Writing Awards, and I won an honorable mention, which I have been quite proud of ever since.  I used to love writing poetry and stories, but I lost time with all my homework and extracurricular activities.  So all in all, I love to write.

As a person, I'm a great friend to anyone who wants me to be my friend.  I am goofy, silly, and hilarious.  People sometimes think I'm a natural born comedian, and I can make the saddest person smile (not that I'm bragging or anything).  I love meeting new people, and find it easy to talk with people most of the time.  My favorite color is blue, and I have noticed that I am always wearing blue at any time possible, so my nickname among my friends is "Blueberry".  I am constantly talking about sports, which annoys some of my friends after a while.  It's not my fault! I spend every day training with my team!  So I guess rowing took away my social life, but what can you do?  At least I have weekends off!

So well, this has been a little introduction into who I am as a person, and as a homework assignment, I guess I've reached the requirements, and now I have my AP US History book to read... :)