Goodbye Buckley!

Tomorrow is my last day of classes at Buckley and it's so surreal. I don't think it's really sunken in yet that we're all leaving what has been our routine, our home every day. This goodbye is bittersweet because I know that although I am leaving behind this phase of my life, I am entering a new, unfamiliar, and exciting one. So goodbye Buckley! I really am going to miss you.

Creative Blog

The Tallest Man on Earth is the band and Kristian Matsson is the man (just as Bon Iver is the band and Justin Vernon is the man). His songs are raw and catchy and I've been a fan for a while. So when I heard he's going to release a new album in June I got very excited. Yesterday, they released a single called "1904" and I cannot stop listening to it.

Rolling Stone is allowing people to listen to the MP3 for free on their website, here's the link... http://mp3.rollingstone.com/download/1904.mp3

Here is my favorite of his songs called "The Wild Hunt."

College Packing List

What to bring to college:

1. Bedding

2. Computer

3. Planner

4. Backpack

5. Lamp

6. Pictures or friends and family

7. A warm Northface jacket!

Because it looks COLD!

Creative Blog

Another type of blog I would post about is "how to." Here, I can introduce ways of completing tedious tasks or fun ones by introducing step by step instructions. For example, http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/8BXSBu/:+fEVs4uE:GCeb188T/juliannakunstler.com/art1_opt_des.html/

This shows how to make a cool design with very simple steps which I found on a website called stumbleupon.com

Creative Blog

If I were to do my own blog, I would like to not only include photos, but also art and design findings on the web from around the world. There are a lot of bands that use interesting and new ways to convey this through music videos. Some of my favorites are from OK GO. I would post my favorite from youtube, but I'm using a school computer and it wont let me access it. But it is called "This Too Shall Pass" the Rube Goldberg version. It's very compelling and interesting to watch, and the music isn't too bad either.

Creative Blogging

On the blog that I was describing before, thisiscolossal.com, the author does a special photo preview every week called "Flickr Finds."So on my blog I would like to do something similar called Tumblr Finds. Here are some photos I came across on tumblr this week.

Info on Classes

Here is the courses available for the program that I am interested in at The University of Michigan. Some other courses I found interesting in the course catalog are...

101         The Mass Media

11448 P RW DIS         005 F 11-12PM 1-2PM

Academic Writing&Lit

17722         P         REC 003         MW         230-4PM 230-4PM

11636         P         REC 005         TTH         230-4PM

223         Creative Writing

11725         P W         REC 006         T 6-9PM

Art of the Essay

11763 PW         SEM 001 TTH 4-530PM

411 Art of the Film

24520 PWLEC001 M 6-9PM

What is History?

LEC         001         TTH 1130-1PM

Plagiarism Policy

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/english/undergraduate/advising/plagNote.asp

The plagarism policy at The University of Michigan is very typical. I expected most of what was explained on the website. There are many policies explaining how works should be cited in english papaers, and rules against stealing other’s work. However, I was surprised to see a rule in which a student is not allowed to submit the same paper, or portions of the same paper, twice for two different assignments. I am glad I was aware of this, because I am not sure that if the opportunity presented itself where I was able to submit the same paper for an Intro to English class as well as an Intro to College Writing class, I would not sieze it. Now that I am aware, I will definitely be sure to write every paper assigned, individually.

I have written to a student at Michigan named Ilana Black, who I know because she gave me my first tour of Michigan last year as a student tour guide in November. We have kept in contact and I e-mailed her last night with a few questions regarding classes I should take, shouldn't take, and overall advice to an incoming freshman, as a senior now leaving the University. As soon as I recieve a response, I will blog about her answers.

Course Catalog

The course guide is VERY long and takes a lot of sorting through. I’m now looking through the courses for LSA. There are courses all the way from Human Rights Activism to Ceramics to Russia/Ukraine Film. I am so excited to be a part of a school with such diverse classes. I know for sure I will be taking at least one English class and one Math class and possibly a Spanish class, but it is very exciting to know I will be able to branch out and challenge myself with different types of classes that I am not used to taking in high school. 

University of Michigan Course Catalog

I found the University of Michigan course catalog online and am very intrigued by the different courses available. I can deduce that the courses I am required to take are basic English and Math courses and a language class is recommended (I would probably take Spanish). I would also be interested in taking a photography class if possible and maybe a psych or communications class. I am also trying to get into a program based around English and Art , called the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program,which would require me take a Intro to Photography or Intro to Drawing class and also a Intro to College Writing Class my first year. I am attending orientation in June and will be able to take placement tests and choose my classes then. 

Sex and Love Poems

“Safe Sex” is by far much more in favor of having sex without love. Hall is very straightforward with his position on such an event. He uses words that directly describe love in a negative way such as “frenzy” and “humiliation.” In Sharon Old’s “Sex Without Love” the author seems much more confused as to how this is possible. She starts with questions because she is baffled by a physical relationship without love. Two very different views are portrayed in "Safe Sex" and "Sex Without Love."

Blogging Further

If I were to really blog, I would start with something like what I found yesterday online. It was on a Photographer named Shizuka Yokomizo, whose “Dear Stranger” is among the most complex andinnovative photography projects I have ever come across.  

The premise of the project was to leave several anonymous letters on the doorsteps of apartments asking strangers to stand in front of their window at a specific time of night, allowing Ms. Yokomizo to take pictures of them from across the way and still remain anonymous as the subjects could only see their own reflection in the window in the darkness. This kind of different and strange creation is what I would center my blog around. 

Blog about Blogs

I follow many different types of blogs, but one of my favorites is called thisiscolossal.com. It is an art and design blog that centers around little known artists around the world. If I were to create my own blog it would be about photography with the same kind of format at thisiscolossal.com so people could explore and find new and interesting forms of artwork and perhaps become inspired. Above are some light instillations by a photographer named Lee Eunyeol, who inserted lights into the earth to create an upside down night sky.

Second Paragraph

Meurault’s lack of emotion over the death of his mother and, eventually, his own death, may seem unimaginable; however, the reader can also perceive his actions as noble- as he does not act in a certain way solely dependent on how others might perceive him. “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: “Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.” That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.” (1) A seemingly trivial detail, the date that Maman died is Meursault’s chief concern. The indifferent way in which Meursault describes his mother’s death proves not only a disconnect to his family, but also to the outside world. Ultimately this peculiarity leads to his demise in court. “As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much like myself—so like a brother, really—I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.” Meursault describes the world as being indifferent and then compares it to himself: which makes Meursault unemotional to life and death as well. The reader sees this when Meursault wishes for there to be more hateful words at his execution, a very different perspective than the scared and somber feelings one would most likely feel. Meursault’s indifference towards death may seem inconsistent with a more “normal” point of view; however, he simply does not feel remorseful and instead of putting on a façade, he speaks of his true feelings- or lack thereof.

Essay Paragraph: Is Honesty the Best Policy?

In Albert Camus’ novel “The Stranger,” Meursault portrays the oblivious outsider who sees the world differently than the majority of people. With a mind uncluttered by false words or unnecessary information, he relies more on his own senses to more clearly absorb his surroundings. Meursault has very unpredictable and peculiar feelings towards his mother’s death and his new love. In tragedy as well as happiness, Meursalt speaks his mind with relentless honesty, proving himself to be different than the rest of the characters in the novel. Although Meursalt is perceived as “strange” due to the simplistic way in which he sees the outside world; Meursault, in actuality, has the most pure and untainted view of the universe because of the absence of lies and tricks in his observances and actions.

 

The "Strange" Stranger

Meursault’s view towards his own life seems very indifferent. He uses his senses to simplify his own experiences and the way he describes them is made very fundamental- almost childlike. The way he lives his life is very instinctual and not made complex by ulterior motives and lies. However “strange” by definition, Meursault is honest and forthcoming with his intentions at all times and sees the world in a very different way than most others.

“The way people behave, the paradoxes, the contradictions, all these things we have to live with and still pretend that everything is only black or white. That, I think, is the most interesting thing in human nature. The fact that we have to do one thing and pretend something else. That’s when it becomes very interesting. If you can literally speak the way you feel, then it’s not interesting anymore. It’s when you have to lie that it becomes interesting.” - Vincent Cassel

Safe Sex by Donald Hall

In Donald Hall's poem "Safe Sex," two lovers portray a relationship without love, and therefore they dodge the negative results that love brings. Hall uses words such as "frenzy," "betrayals," and "humiliation" in order to verify that a loveless relationship is safe. The last line, however, describes real love as being a matter of life and death. Hall describes a loveless relationship as lifeless, because in life there are ups and downs and there are bound to be some disappointments, but also great rewards in returns.

Sex and the City Quote: "I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." -Carrie Bradshaw

Blogs to follow

I'm a very visual person, so I enjoy blogs with a lot of visual content such as photography and videos. One of my favorite blogs is by a man named Christopher Jacobson and it has to do with Art and Design around the world. There is a post around two times a week and each has either a photo or video and a description explaining each event. I really like the posts because they're interesting and short. It is called Colossal. (www.thisiscolossal.com)

I also follow a blog called Black Cab Sessions (blackcabsessions.com) where this guy picks up bands in his london cab and they play music in the "ultimate intimate venue." It sounds kind of weird, but it's very interesting way to listen to new bands.

Genesis Analysis

In the book of Genesis, God is the ultimate creator. He first creates heaven and earth and then light, “And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” Genesis suggests that God created earth and everything on it survives because of the light that God created. This belief is a complete contradiction to Darin’s theory of evolution. Darwin believes that species evolve and adapt to their surroundings; whereas, in Genesis, God creates species for their specific purpose. Both ideas are widely explored in today’s society, so I decided to post two blogs that express both views.

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/charles-darwin-a-man-a-mission-did-he-succeed

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/bibletrektoday

Darwin Analysis

Charles Darwin brings to light some very controversial issues in Origin of Species. He shows scientific evidence to back all of his ideas and even disputes the critics of his work; however, the uncertainty in his language leads a reader to become very skeptical and even confused. His hesitation is evident in the line, "The truth of these propositions cannot, I think, be disputed" (Darwin 1). By inserting his own suspicions throughout his works, he proves his already concrete statistics to be illegitimate.

Conformity Thoughts: Intro Paragraph

As the granddaughter of Russian immigrants, I was aware of the immense gap, not only between generations, but also cultures. Both my grandmothers, Margot Halperin and Terrie Gerber, married at the age of 18, not far from the age I am now, due to pressures to conform in the society that they lived in. I, however, feel absolutely no obligation to marry and have children any time soon; rather, the pressure that I face stem from the change of roles women have had in society over the last 50 years. Pressures to marry early in life and devote time to others soon turned to pressure for an education to better oneself. Society’s image back in the 1950s and 60s is very different to the societal image I face now to go to a good college, graduate, and compete in a job market. The hardships and triumphs of women have remained steady through generations; however, the forums in which they present themselves have been vastly altered.

Conformity Thoughts: Part 7

My Grandmother's Responses:


What is the biggest thing you have done that your parents didn't agree with based on their ideals?

I was raised in our home with very specific and clear ideals. After marrying

very young, I continued to live by the same ideals. I respected and admired my parents at all times. 

Do you regret doing it? Did you learn from the experience?
Although we never disagreed on basic ideals , I carried their  beliefs through my life trying to achieve the same values for my family and my community.


Where did your parents and grandparents come from? How do you think that affected your upbringing?
My father was born in the former Soviet Union and came to this country at a very young age. My mother was born in the United States. My grandparents were born in Europe and the FSU.


Did your parents expect certain things from you that you do not expect from your children?

 I think that my parents wanted to live the American life and the American dream.

They were aware of the persecution and difficulties elsewhere and wanted a safe and hopeful future for their own family. I expected the same values from my children. I must note that my father did not think a  college degree was as important for a woman as it was for a man. I fully expected all of my children and grandchildren to complete their college education.

What do you think has changed most about society since you were a teenager?
Communication has greatly changed society since I was a teenager.   


Do you think it's more beneficial to listen to your parents or listen to your instincts?
I think it is beneficial to listen to BOTH your parents and your own instincts.

Conformity Thoughts: Part 6

I e-mailed my grandparents last week, so this week I wanted to focus on a younger generation. So I asked my little brother (Ryan age 10) some questions about conformity. 

Do you feel pressure to do certain things that your friends do, even if you don't want to do them?

"No, because I'm my own person and I'm unique like that."

What is the biggest thing you've done against what your parents wanted you to do? Do you regret doing it?

"Take a shower everyday, yeah I smelled really bad." 

Do you think it's better to listen to your parents or your instincts?

"Listen to your parents because they have more knowledge because they're older." 

Do you want to do well in school?

"Yeah, because I want a good report card to show my parents." 

This interview taught me that 1) my brother needs to take more showers and 2) that he does well in school not for himself, but for his parents. I find it interesting that something so personal as the extent of your own knowledge can be dictated by someone else.

Conformity Thoughts: Part 5

For my essay I'm going to focus on pressure to conform and how it may be beneficial. Although I may not agree with this on some topics, I think it would be more interesting to explore the positive aspects something that most people view as so negative. I'm waiting for Buckley e-mail to be back up and running so I can e-mail my questions to my grandparents. I can't call them because of time difference and timing conflicts. When I do get in touch with them I will choose my 3 topics to focus on in my essay based on their answers.

Conformity Thoughts: Part 4

Questions for my grandmother and grandfather:

What is the biggest thing you have done that your parents didn't agree with based on their ideals?

Do you regret doing it? Did you learn from the experience?

Where did your parents and grandparents come from? How do you think that affected your upbringing?

Did your parents expect certain things from you that you do not expect from your children?

What do you think has changed most about society since you were a teenager?

Do you think it's more beneficial to listen to your parents or listen to your instincts?

Conformity Thoughts: Part 3

Humans are very animalistic. Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection states that traits become either more or less common depending on the effectiveness of their function. As fundamental animals, the same should apply to paths in our lives. Maybe the reason that the majority is doing something, is because it works and is effective.

Conformity Thoughts: Part 2

Today I thought a lot about how others affect who we are. I think we all like to think (or at least I do) that we don't care what others think of us and we are our own people and don't need approval from peers. But then that brings me to my next point: do we like hearing other opinions besides our own? When we get a good grade on a test, we like to tell our parents to get praise. When we are unsure about a situation, we like to get feedback about what we should do next from our friends. To what extent should we give up our own decisions to those around us?

Poll: If given a choice, would you rather make all of your own decisions according to only your own basic knowledge, or would you rather consult with others but compromise your own opinion?

Conformity Thoughts: Part 1

I've always thought that "going against the grain" was a personal choice that would result in at least some backlash, or else everyone would do it- doing whatever you want while also being socially accepted. However, now that I think about it, a lot of my family has done what is not expected of them. My father majored in theater in college againt his parents wishes, both my grandmothers got married at 18 to older men against their parents wishes, and my mother went away to college against my granmother's wishes. These topics will all make for an interesting discussion about generation gaps and the necessity, or lack of, to conform to the former generations ideas.

Paragraph

The reoccurring symbol of light and darkness throughout Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness reaches both a literal and figurative level when illustrating interaction externally between humans and, very similarly, internally within ourselves. Darkness is defined as the inability to see what is around you. The reader is able to identify this motif as it more simply applies to the gloomy and ominous settings of Brussels, England, and Africa. More abstractly, however, is the darkness where a person hides their internal self to the outside world. In doing this, a person does not allow others to see them fully, and therefore, puts on a façade that differs from their internal self. Traveling from the outskirts of an African jungle all the way inward to the human mind, the symbol of external light differing from internal darkness creates a contrast of what a person shows to others or, more often, keeps in the dark.

Karl's Criticism

In Frederick Karl's psychoanalytical criticism he states "But not before we are filled with a sense of the absurd- a sense of the absurd gap between what we profess to be and what we are, a sense of our consequently and inevitably skewed relationship with objects, with our milieu, with the universe itself." Karl brings to light the evident disconnect humans face with their surroundings and more frightening, themselves. Karl believes that everyone has their true self and then their facade that they must put on in front of others. However true this may be, one must then examine how the world would be if it wasn't. If everyone simply said exactly what they were thinking all the time and acted on every impulse one had, chaos would ensue. Who we are and what we think are two completely different things and molding them into one would not only result in a blatant lack of personal privacy, but also a lack of mental stimulation. 

Murfin

One important idea that Murfin's Psychoanalytic Criticism explains is how human's mind's allow them to experience books through their own eyes. What this means is that instead of simply viewing a book as a character's journey through hardships, humans put themselves in the shoes of the main character, which helps them further understand the hardships and emotions that character goes through. This explains why most people are drawn to stories that don't necessarily match up with their own life, because our ordinary daily  problems aren't interesting; however, exploring uncivilized Africa, THAT'S interesting.  

Heart of Darkness: Question 1

All of the characters in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness don’t have any names except for Marlow, Kurtz, and Fresleven the Dane. Most are referred to by their occupations proving Conrad’s view on identity and how society unfairly categorizes people based on occupations rather than character. Some examples of the occupations Conrad names characters are Accountant, Lawyer, Brickmaker, Manager, and Fireman. Another reason Conrad may do this is to provide more of an explanation of a character by using a word that better describes that person rather than a name which could be given to any person regardless of skill.  

Heart of Darkness: Question 2

Marlow begins his tale of a journey to the heart of darkness with an account of London in “very old times, when the Roman’s first came here” to not only provide an ominous background and a dark tone, but also to show a comparison of London in a darker time to the more upbeat people’s view of London. Also true with the English colonization of Africa, London was not always the thriving city it is today. The point made here by Conrad is that no city starts perfectly functioning, it takes time and work to get to the perfect perception true today.