/ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/: Impact from our Surroundings

Ah yes. The time has come. In a matter of a little more than 48 hours, our knowledge that we have gained as AP Lang. students will be put to a test determined by selective guessing on the multiple choice and scrambling to barely write three essays.
As one class period turned into days, days turning into months, months turning into this year, I have realized that really this class specifically has caused me to evolve as a person. I remember reading in that locavore synthesis prompt of all the benefits that are given in that community through locally-grown produce. This may be a very thin connection between the two topics however I find that the surrounding environment really affects the characteristics of an individual. I noticed that being engrossed into the world of AP English really morphed me emotionally, mentally and socially. For example, I can't watch TV like a normal human being anymore. I cannot become submerged into the show or even the commercials because of the analysis I automatically apply. "The white background of this Maybelline commercial contrasts with the black makeup on this model's face, symbolizing how there is a line between innocence and corruption on beauty standards". It is open to interpretation whether or not this over-analyzation is a curse or not but nonetheless, there is impact from what surrounds us.

maybe she's born with it, maybe representing beauty standards

/keə(r)/: For You

If there isn't one thing I learned in high school, it's that you have to do everything for your own good. What I mean is, every effort made in school is in order to bring benefit for yourself. We all have had those moments in group projects where it seems like your the only person putting any work in. Although there might be a very slight (just the slightest) amount of complaining about how "you can't even" deal with your group, it is still likely that you'll continue to do all the work because at least it assures you that you will be getting that good grade. It also happens in the hallways. I may be the only one guilty of this because I'm such a corrupted human being but whenever someone drops their items in the halls I just look straight and never turn back. It's just that mindset of being stuck in our own world and caring about our own problems.

There is a page in Maus, (shown below) of Vladek in the concentration camp. The mental trauma has hit him and there is misery of knowing that his chances of survival are very slim. Yet a priest that is not even of the Jewish background comes and uplifts the poor man. This was quite interesting to me. Unlike the usual norm where people would try to survive, this man reaches out and helps Vladek. It's amazing how in this chaotic situation, there is still the capability to show care for others. 

/ˈhɑː.lə.kɑːst/: Horrific.

I enjoyed reading these two books of "Maus" very much. I don't know if it's because it tugged at the nostalgia of reading comic books, but I would actually look forward to reading them once I would get home from my mundane activities in the public. It really extracted me out of my world into the shoes of Spiegelman. Not necessarily because I enjoy reading of the grueling affairs that went on in the concentration camps, but more of the fact that the message it gives is incredibly powerful.The events that occur seem almost surreal, like a fictional horror story. However, it really hits hard when we all know it actually took place. Especially when you type in "Holocaust" into google images, the cruel pictures never seem to become tiresome. 

While reading the "Maus" graphic novels, you could say I really "felt the feelz". It's hard enough just to read of the events that occurred during the Holocaust. But adding visuals into the story increases all emotions. It's because the more of our senses are available, the more specific the experience can seem to be. Imagine how much more intense "Maus" would be if there were sounds or smell added. 

These are all the wedding rings of the Jews in concentration camps. 

/sens/: Sight and Hearing

Pictures represented simplicity in my life.The more pictures that appeared in a novel, the more easier it would be. I would spend my elementary school days lounging in my Ariel-matching-set pajamas while reading Junie B. Jones books. I grew too attached to the series (how could you not) and I ended up continuously reading those chapter books until 6th grade. However, at that point, my friends scolded me of reading "baby books" and  introduced me to Harry Potter. And just like any other adolescent 11 year old, I was addicted. Not only were the books actually interesting but there was an absence of pictures that took up half the page! Oh what a mature grown-up I was! As time passed, the presence of illustrations began to decrease and the subject of the novel became more mature. (coughBluestEyecoughcough)

Ms. Valentino, I think we now all know where
you got the notebook idea. 

As Scott McCloud put it, this was an example of books that were "easier" evolving to "'real' books". This progression resembles the relationship  between words and images. Although there may be an increase of language and a decrease of illustrations in more advanced novels, there is still a need of both visual and listening senses. For example, being in the pit orchestra for the school play, I am incapable to physically watch what is happening above. Although I have the ability to hear the lines of the performers; without the sight of their acting, I was unable to fully comprehend what was going on. I didn't even know Bloody Mary had a daughter until recently! Going back to what was mentioned before, although the relationship between language and pictures may be at uneven masses, they are equal in importance to interpretation. 

/kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃn/: I bet you were too lazy to even try reading that.

We all have those moments. Wanting the remote control but it's too far away (approximately 10 inches) so you give up trying, having too much cereal but too little milk, and let's not forget the dreaded I-can't-find-the-other-sock catastrophe. All examples of First World Problems. Or FWP because even spelling that out is too difficult.
Some may say I have no right to accuse the idea of complaining of these small degree issues. This is true; I would be lying if I were to claim that I don't understand the practice of this laziness and have not personally gone through it. However, is it not a blessing that we are "cursed" with these problems in the first place?
These issues do not majorly affect our physical, emotional, or mental state. It is a gift that we possess a television, or have food available, or even have socks! The level of suffering is set on such low standards of "wants" but not on "needs". There is a lack of consideration for the world outside of our own personal environment. Yes, it is so difficult to think of a poor person after every lazy moment that occurs. That is a very exaggerated point. Rather, being aware of the availability of resources we are given.

/laɪf/: Chaos and Fragility

I felt so emotionally and mentally attacked in this movie. In the best way possible.

I think it is safe to say that this movie, "The Hours", has the top "what the heck is happening" moments for me. Going in blind with this movie really provided the thrill of unraveling the characters and their identities. With the plot twist upon plot twist, it was difficult to not become engrossed into the movie.
I found a connection between the chaos in the book and the movie. There would be switches of scenes just like a stream of consciousness in the novel. For example, the back and forth toss between Richard and his younger self was portraying his reflection upon his childhood memory.
Also can we please discuss how there was not one scene without a flower.
Whether it was in the background or on clothing, there was a hint of floral. The flowers slowly became a representation of life. How beautiful yet fragile existence can be. For a flower, just like life, there is nothing that will stop it from wilting to its demise. Time is vital to both. When Clarissa comes and brings flowers for Richard in the beginning of the movie, they are full of life. This suggests that whenever Clarissa comes to Richard, she brings a youthful vibe. However, near the end, towards Richard's death, the flowers have become wilted and colorless; this simulated the approaching end of his life.

oh look. flowers. Who would've guessed. 

/ˈpiːsfl/: Tranquility

"Going and coming, beckoning, signalling, so the light and shadow which now made the wall grey, now the bananas bright yellow, seemed to Septimus Warren Smith lying on the sofa in the sitting room; watching the watery gold glow and fade with the astonishing sensibility of some live creature wallpaper. Outside the trees dragged leaves like nets through the depths of the air; the sound of water was in the room and through the waves came the voices of birds singing...his hand lay there on the back of the sofa, as he had his hand lie when he was bathing, floating, on the top of the waves, while far away on shore he heard dogs barking and barking far away. Fear no more, says the heart in the body;fear no more." (139)
Septimus has reached a moment of peace in his tortured life. He is able to appreciate and admire his surroundings without the violent images that have once clouded his perspective. The hues in colors
 seem to become more distinct and nature itself has become composed. The emphasis especially on the "gold glow" and "bright yellow", reflects the rays of the sun, bringing out a warming effect. Yellow, studies have shown, stimulates mental activity and cheerfulness. Septimus was not able to accentuate these colors until this breakthrough, which causes him to realize that items around him actually consist of life and happiness instead of death.
Also, there is a constant reference to the water and waves. As discussed in class, waves indicate a repetition or a cycle, like actual waves. This metaphor was usually used in reflections upon time in the novel. However in this passage, the waves are a symbol of tranquility washing over his mind continuously. It marks a period of change. For Septimus, with "water in the room" mentioned several times,it portrays how his thirst for an ordinary viewpoint is quenched.
Despite all these positive vibes, rereading this passage almost made his death ironic. His suicide, acted out of panic and distress, contrasts with the serene environment that Septimus had created.

WAOW WATER AND YELLOW. MUCH PEACEFUL.

/dɪsˈɔːdə(r)/: Absence of Functionality

"Men must not cut down trees. There is a God. (He noted such revelations on the backs of envelopes.) Change the world. No one kills from hatred.Make it known(he wrote it down). He waited. He listened. A sparrow perched on the railing opposite chirped Septimus, Septimus, four or five times over and went on, drawing its notes out, to sing freshly and piercingly in Greek words how there is no crime and, joined by another sparrow, they sang in voices prolonged and piercing in Greek words, from trees in the meadow of life  beyond a river where the dead walk, how there is no death." (24-25)

Septimus,a man hopelessly lost in a sea of PTSD, wastes away days of viewing horrific scenes around him. Since he is mentally scarred, he is using self-therapy to cure his illness. He writes short sentences. The simplicity of these sentences contrasts with the traumatic events that are acted out in his mind. The sentences start short but gradually crescendo into longer and more complex thoughts.This change represents how his mind functions. Although he visually sees casual live surrounding him, in his head it is examined as something connected to war or death, creating a more chaotic atmosphere in his thoughts.
There is also a religious connection in which he mentions "God...such revelations". Revelations, the last chapter in the bible, discusses death and the end of world with the coming of Jesus. So even when Septimus attempts to gather his attention to religion, death is continuously incorporated.
He contradicts himself with pure to dark diction. He references to the song of "sparrow" which is widely known to be of a sweet tune, but he uses "piercing(ly)" right afterwards. Empathizing the  contrast between he yearns for versus what his reality is.
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a very serious and devastating illness that has unfortunately taken place in Septimus. Although he tries to cope with this disorder, it is hopeless because it has completely taken over the functionality of his brain.

/laɪf/: To the Fullest.

Life is treated just as the event before death. Yes, although Virginia Woolf does mention that "death is stronger" than life, it is not viewed like that in our society. We are all so caught up on trying to fulfill daily tasks that we forget that we are just "Temporarily Abled Persons".  (Thanks Nancy Mairs for that wonderful enlightenment). 

Papa Jeong and I had a walk down the #90skid lane and pulled out "Dead Poets Society" as a prehistoric VHS tape. It consists of a very sentimental story plot and witty humor, with quite the many tears shed. The all-famous quote "Carpe Diem" is what struck me the most, even though it is the most overused phrase(that you will most likely find tattooed on the back of a biker). It brings out an interesting point. It makes the suggestion that death should be overlooked at the moment because it makes no impact on our current lives. This point is rarely acted out, especially the students surrounding me with the struggles of balancing a social and academical life. However this movie and Woolf's piece assisted me to come to a conclusion on my attitude upon life and death. Although the presence of upcoming death must be acknowledged and is inevitable to all, it only serves as proof that each day, each hour, each minute is precious and must be spent on what our desires yearn for. 

/ˈfɑðər/: Fueled from Passion

As we were reading Sherman Alexie's piece, Beacuse My Father Always Said He Was The Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play "The Star-Spangled Banner" At Woodstock, I couldn't help but compare this always-lives-life-on-edge dad to Papa Jeong.

A brief introduction of what kind of person my father is. There's a photo of my dad from when he first immigrated to America, sitting in front of a boulder-sized computer and smiling with a thumbs-up and thick-lensed glasses framed on his face. So you can say that he's basically the stereotypical Asian.  He is not afraid to burst out singing opera music in the car, ESPECIALLY when an acquaintance of mine just happens to be witnessing this spectacle. He will brag of his time that he served in the military, which is quite ironic actually because every male Korean citizen is required to serve four years anyways. Also my dad will smack his food during dinner while he feasts on his second bowl of rice. Oh. And did I mention that he's a "golf star". 

It may seem like Sherman Alexie's father and my father have no connection whatsoever. However, I realized that these two men have one thing in common. They both have a passion that drives them. There is something in them that causes them to continue their lives in enthusiasm, even in rough situations. Alexie's father uses music, especially Jimi Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner", to continue through his days. For a fact, I know that my dad is empowered by family and his job of being able to help others. He never prominently shows these actions but it is the unseen acts of love that is the most powerful. Although he has a high chance of winning most embarrassing father at certain times, I take pride that my father is a man of motivation and passion

groans at sight of Papa Jeong

.  

/ˈhændikæpt/: Consistency of a Flaw

The definition of disabilities is skewed; it is misconception that society as a whole is not technically handicapped because it is in human nature to contain flaws.

"Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these"

(pulled straight out of google search)

The subject of disabilities seems to make a fair amount of audience uncomfortable, or bring out pity. It is almost as if a spotlight is immediately placed upon a limping child, making it"...easy to spot even in a crowd." (Mairs 13) It's mind-boggling that one single, microscopic chromosome determines what society's view is upon your education, social, and mental values. As distasteful it may seem, it is unfortunately a very reoccurring issue.  

The discrimination of placing the title of "disabled" is actually quite ironic. It is stated that if a person has a flaw, they are handicapped. So does that mean the rest of society is innocent of this characteristic? It is unjust that just because there is no ideal physical or mental defect that is noticeable to the naked eye, it does not mean that he or she is not technically handicapped. The human race has been programmed to contain flaws. That is the definition of humanity. So in a way, are we not all handicapped? There is a lack of conjoining between the world of “disabled” and “abled” due to the nonrecognition that we are all dysfunctional in our own exclusive ways.