Final Blog

I have really enjoyed being in Etymology class this semester. Surprisingly, even though it was a lot of work sometimes I really enjoyed and got something out of everything we did. I feel like my writing skills have improved a ton while taking this class. My vocabulary has definitely increased, and I see poems and writing in a different view now. Instead of just reading it, I notice diction, tone, and other things about it. Just knowing the new vocab words and other words that we learned helped me so much in improving my level of writing. My parents read a couple of my papers and were surprised at the change in my writing. I have never been a big reader so honestly that has not changed much for me. I tried to get into reading and blog a lot but it never seemed to click with me. Although I did enjoy the books I read while in this class. I think all of the books I read were non-fiction. Most of them were inspiring stories or ways to improve your life. I'm not positive but I would estimate that I read around 900 pages this semester. I really really have enjoyed this class and I am really sad its going to be over. Also, Mr. Hill you have been a great teacher and I really have learned so much from you. You also are a really cool person and so fun to be around, I'm pretty sure everyone I have talked to feels the same way too. So thanks so much for everything you do and have done for us!!

Soul Surfer

The day came when her doctor told her she could get back in the water. They chose a beach off a beaten path that they thought would be best for her first surf back. She decided to ride a long board because it is easier to catch a wave with this more stable board. Her brother Noah wanted to film her ride on video camera so he swam out with her. Her dad even took off work to come see her. Alana and a bunch of her other friends were also there.

She walked out to the water with Alana. She was not afraid of being attacked by a shark, she didn't even think about it. All her mind could think about was catching a wave and getting up on her feet. Her first couple of tries to get up didn't work and at first she was a little discouraged. Everyone around her told her to keep trying and not to give up. Then it happened. She got on her feet and after that everything was easy.

It was hard for her to even describe what she felt after she caught that wave. She was incredibly thankful and happy inside and out. All her doubts of not being able to surf again were gone, she even started crying tears of joy.

Poetry Project

My theme for the poetry project is Africa.

The poem i'm using for the video is Birth Place by May Miller.

My 6 poems are:

An African Elegy BY ROBERT DUNCAN

They ClappedBY NIKKI GIOVANNI

From the Artist's SketchbookBY ANNETTE M'BAYE

Durban, South Africa—Some Notations of ValueBY CHRIS ABANI

Birth PlaceBY MAY MILLER

Night in SineBY LÉOPOLD SÉDAR SENGHOR

Soul Surfer

After the shark attack, Bethany and most people around her thought she would never surf again. Everyone knew it took two arms to surf. She decided she would try to get back into soccer and get into surf photography. That was the only way she could stay close to the sport without directly participating in it. Although almost everyone was against her getting back into the sport, her brother Timmy knew nothing could keep her out of the water. Her parents also had no doubt that she could probably figure out a way to get up on a board.

A lot of people thought Bethany would be way to scared to ever get back in the Ocean again. But she thought differently. She really did not have a fear of it. Her doctor gave her a deadline as to when she could get back in the water. Her stitches had to come out first and things had to heal up, but he told her Thanksgiving Day is when she could get back in the water and try surfing again.

Quality Time, Redefined

It's true, our generation is quickly becoming overly consumed by electronics. The family in this news article spends their family time sitting in the living room with each one of them on a different type of electronic device. I'd like to say thats crazy and ridiculous, but my family does the same thing. My mom is so wrapped up in her cellphone and laptop and is already talking about the next ipad and how it would "help" her so much. My brothers are always concerned about the next big ipod, cellphone, or video game to come out. And I thought my dad was still with me, but he just got an iphone, so he is slowly falling into the trap himself. Although I don't have a big fascination or care too much about the newest and biggest electronic device that is coming out, I do agree that there are some pretty amazing things out there that people are coming up with. But for now I am satisfied with my non-smart phone and my nano ipod. Sometimes I think about how people survived and got along in the old days when cellphones, laptops, and other things weren't invented yet. But obviously the people turned out fine and are still here today, so it must have been manageable. But to picture a world without those things today is almost impossible to me. I mean I probably call my parents at least 5 times a day to ask them a question or tell them something, and of course I always have someone to text and talk about something with. Our generation is becoming so consumed with technology and electronics but in reality it is very hard to picture life without these things!

Soul Surfer

Bethany was given the chance to give out Dove awards at the Gospel Music Grammy Award Ceremony. They were given first class plane tickets to go to L. A. for the show. While on the plane, her friend next to her nudged her and told her to look at who was sitting next to them. It was Patrick Swayze. "He keeps glancing at you," she pointed out. She insisted on giving her a pen and paper to go get his autograph. Bethany said no though because she gets tired herself of people asking her for autographs.

It is not easy for Bethany being a celebrity. When she watches her interviews, she notices that she hems and haw and fidgets alot. sometimes she just istn in a good mood to talk and she gets bored telling the same story over and over again. Not being able to go anywhere without getting pointed out as the girl with one arm can also get a little old.

Despite all the fame and attention, at her home she doesn't get and VIP treatment and that's how she likes it. To her friends and family she is still just Bethany and nothing much has changed except her arm.

Soul Surfer- Becoming Famous

A few months after her attack, the interviews and TV programs started becoming more and more frequent. She would fly from one place to another, telling about her story. She was a guest on MTV announcing what videos were coming up next, rode in limousines, and much more. At first it was very nerve-racking to have tons of cameras pointed at her face, but as time went on she started to get used to it.

Next, she got the chance to go on Oprah in Chicago. She decided that being "famous" has been both a blessing and a curse to her. She loves that her life serves as an encouragement to so many people watching and observing her. She loves that she can tell people about her faith in Christ. On the flip side, all the attention and activities get in the way of her just doing what she wants to do. She can not go many places nowadays without getting asked for autographs or pointed out in a crowd.

The interviews and TV shows started to cut into her surfing time, friend time, and church time. She even started to get way behind on her schoolwork because of all the things she was doing. Even with all the chaos and hectic lifestyle that she has to put up with, she knows that God has put her in a place where she has a chance to help people all over the world. She constantly has to remind herself that life is not just about her being in the spotlight. There is a greater good, and if that means sacrificing a little to do several interviews, it is all worth it to her.

Lacrosse

I play lacrosse for Homestead and have played since I was in 8th grade. The Homestead team is made up of girls from many different schools including Carroll, Snider, Canterbury, and of course Homestead. Right now is lacrosse season and we have been playing many games all over the place. Because we are the only girls team in Fort Wayne and in all the surrounding areas, we have to travel to Indianapolis and other places for our games. This is a bit of a hastle and sometimes gets old but can also be very fun. This weekend we traveled to Indy on Friday right after school. We played two games that night and then spent the night in a hotel. The next morning we got up and played three more games. After those I think we were all worn out and our legs about couldn't take anymore. It turned out to be a very fun weekend filled with lots of running and swinging sticks.