Project Reflection

What did you learn by doing the project on the book of your choice? How would you characterize the level of effort it took to read the book? How much effort did you put into the project? How long did it take you to complete? In the final analysis, do you feel like the exercise was worthwhile? If so, why? If not, why not? Could it have been a deeper learning experience in some way? Did your own participation and effort have an effect on the value of the project as a learning experience?

• There are quite a lot of interesting things that I learned from the reading project. First, I learned some names of Italian schools and universities, the name of a German university (University of Gottigen), a German address and a German phone number, and also what should be included in a peer evaluation form for teachers and for professors. 
• I believe that my level of effort in a scale from one to ten would be about 9. I said nine because I believed that I placed a lot of effort into researching the information that was not clarified within the book. I spent a total of about six to seven hours to finish and complete the book report, the reading project, and also the presentation.
• I believe that this is a worthwhile project. For me, researching more and creating a more detailed analysis would help me better understand the characters that I am reading about. I believe that this learning experience is set up quite well. 
• Participation and effort definitely have an effect on the value of the project as a learning experience. If not effort was placed within the project, nothing would be learned.

911

There is no doubt that the terrorist attacks of September 11 were terrible. What about the aftermath? Considering the state of world affairs today, what effect do you think 911 has had? Did the United States respond appropriately? Is the world now a safer place? Now that Bin Laden has been killed, do you think that the survivors and those who lost loved ones in the attacks feel better?

• The aftermath of the September 11 attack on the Twin Towers was that people became more aware of the fact that there are terrorist groups who are willing to sacrifice themselves to that level for their cause. The event also made people more aware of the dangers that they face every single day, every moment, and made them fear these terrorist, and made them really jumpy about events. 
• The United States first response was to find out what the motive was, which was a quite appropriate response. The attack on the Twin Towers also started the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan. I personally believe that the United States should stay more out of foreign affairs and just strengthen their national security. Getting themselves involved might only increase the risks of the United States being attack by the terrorists again. Therefore, I believe that the starting of the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan was not that appropriate.
• I believe that the world is not a safe place. We can use the death of Bin Laden as an example. The death of Bin Laden does make the people feel better, but does not make the world a safer place, but instead, a more dangerous place. This is because the death of their leader may cause the terrorist groups to want even more revenge.

Buried Alive

Today we will begin reading a true story about two men who were trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building. What do you think it would be like to be buried alive or trapped in some life-threatening way? What thoughts do you think might go through your mind? Who would you like to have the chance to send a message to? Would you want to have done something differently in your life? If you were trapped with others, do you think that you would all work together to try to survive, or would it be “every man for himself”?

• I believe that being buried alive would be very, no, I should say extremely, uncomfortable. How would it be comfortable, anyways? It'll make you feel like you can't breath at all. And, also, depending on the situation, you might either be very wet, or very muddy, or in anyway, be "dirty", to sum it all up. 
• I can almost be absolutely sure that if I ever get trapped alive, my first thoughts would be swear words such as "CR*P" and "SH*T" and "F**K", etc. I would say that almost anyone under that kind of situatioon would think like that, unless you are someone who is extremely weird. 
• If I had a chance to send a message out, it would be of course to someone I love the most. If, during that time, I have a lover of some sort, then maybe the message would be sent to him to tell my family about my current situation. If, however, I don't have a lover of some sort, then the message would definitely be to my family. I would say that I would want my grandparents to read the message first, then my parents, then my cousins. Weird order, I guess, but whatever. 
• I would not have really wanted something to be redone if I know that I'm going to die. At least, not right now. I believe that I have nothing in my life that I have to regret for.
• If I were really suck in such a life threatening situation, I believe that I would want to work together with other people and try to survive instead of fighting with each other and making the situation even worse.

Jargon

Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, group, or event. In "Into Thin Air" Krakauer uses jargon to describe some of the equipment and activities involved in mountain climbing. Try to recall some of the terms he uses that are particular to mountain climbing, then try to think if you use any jargon yourself. Is there any activity you take part in that has it's own vocabulary or slang? What about being a student? Are there special terms that are particular to that? Hint: sometimes we are so immersed in our activities that we don't even realize that we are using specialized language.

• A few examples of Jargon used in "Into Thin Air" include "rappel", which means "to descend a mountain by means of a double rope around the climbers body so that he or she can control the slide downward and make the descend", and also "short roped", which means "to help a weak or injured person climb down a mountain by hauling him or her". 
• Some of the jargons I use myself include "MB", "Walrus", "Toad", and "Hippo". You don't have to guess what they are, because unless you are at our school, you won't know who these people are. Also, you have to be within my specific circle of friends to know what these terms mean. Yes, they are people who are quite annoying, who many others don't like. However, I can suggest you to quit guess who they are, because you'll never get it! Ha ha ha XD. I would say that these are jargons for being a student (at least within my small ciricle of friends).
• One activity that involves a lot of jargons is basketball. In a basketball team, the strategies and exercises are all different and specified for basketball. Therefore, terms such as "typhoon", "chocolate", "2-3", "3-2", and "4-1" can be considered as basketball jargons. 

Risk for a Reason

In the event of a disaster, would most people risk their lives to save a stranger? Think of true tories you have heard about people who, facing danger, save the lives of strangers. Why do some people risk their own lives to save others? Why do some people look out for themselves first? Which do you think you would do? DO you thin kthat the reason for the disaster would make a difference? For example, if there is a disaster because people foolishly put themselves at risk, would you be less willing to help than if the victims had no responsibility for their situation, such as in a natural disaster?

• No, I believe that not a lot of people would risk their lives to save the lives of strangers. Right now this moment, I cannot think of any true stories where people who, facing danger, save the lives of strangers, but I guess that firefighters saving some trapped drunken men may act as an example. I think that people risk their own lives to save others because it's their instinct. Also, the person may be very passionate or are very nice people. Others who would not risk their lives can be said as selfish, because they want to live longer. These people are the majority of the population. I am also one of these so called selfish people, because I would definitely go for my own life first. I also believe that the reason for disaster is an important issue, and sometimes also the person. These factors make a difference. I would definitely be less willing to help someone who is in danger because they put themselves at risk. If you really want me to save someone during a disaster, then it has to be a natural disaster, and, as I said before, the person and my relationship with the person also changes my decision.

Why Take Risks?

What does Krakauer say about why mountain climbers take such risks? Think of the kinds of risks people take, both physical and otherwise. Do his conclusions apply to other risk takers as well? In your own experience, when you have taken risks or seen others take risks, what do you think the reasons were? Do they match up with what Krakauer says?

• Krakauer says that mountain climbers take risks because nothing that happens during mountain climbing can be predicted, so we cannot prepare for all of the diasaters that might happen - we can only do some basic preparations and precautions.
• Kinds of risks that people take mainly include physical and mental risks. Physical risks include extreme pressure and strain on your body to challenge both your physical and mental limitations. Mental risks include decision making. For example, in the stock market, when you make a good decision and buy the right stock and sell at the right time, then you will benefit and gain a lot of money. However, when you make the wrong decision, then you might loose a large amount of money. 
• I believe that Krakauer's conclusions also apply to other risk takers. Actually, everyone is at risk, because you might die the next second even though you're just sitting down and doing nothing. I totally agree with this, so I believe that we should live our life. 
• Some reasons for taking risks include the satisfaction that one get's after they completed the challenge, or when they overcome a fear. Peer pressure may also be an important reason. For example, if everyone else are brave enough to do something, then you will also want to do it to prove that you are a part of their group.

Cause and Effect

One way that a story-teller moves the story forward is by relating the events to each other. This can take the form of cause-and-effect relationships. There are many different ways to describe this relationship: focus on causes, focus on effects, or focus on both. Sometimes an effect has many causes, sometimes only one of several possible causes is sufficient to have an effect. Many times the cause and effect relationship takes the form of a complex chain in which several causes create an effect that in turn creates other effects. In the excerpt from Into Thin Air, try to examine what happens and why. What are the causes of the events that happen? What are the effects?

• In this excerpt from Into Thin Air, we start out with Krakauer, who had just arrived at the summit of Mount Everest, tired and exhausted. He is tired and exhausted because he has not slept for about 3 days, has barely eaten anything, and also because the oxygen in his tank is running out, so his brain is functioning a little bit slowly. The second main event was that his oxygen tank completely ran out of oxygen, because one of the people who came climbed up with him accidentally released all of the oxygen. This was caused because Krakauer's teammate was also tired and quite out of oxygen, so he wasn't able to think clearly. Later on, the death of Hall was and the others were caused by the carelessness of the climbers, and also their lack of caution. They should have paid more attention to the weather that was worsening. The causes of some people's deaths also include the fact that there wasn't enough oxygen, and without oxygen, the climbers were not able to think and make good and smart decisions. For example, Hall was told that there was no oxygen left when there are actually two full tanks because the person transmitting the message from the camp to Hall was lacking oxygen and heard the wrong this, which cost Hall's life.

Compare Disasters

Think about the Krakauer story and the story of the Titanic. How are they similar? How are they different? What about the way they are told? Are there similarities and differences in the narrative accounts?

• The Krakuer story and the story of the Titanic are similar because in these two stories, there are both disasters that took away many lives. Also, both of the disasters were resulted because people were too careless and proud. In the Titanic, people were too proud and believed that the Titanic was unsinkable. They didn't even bother to watch out for ice bergs or do emergency practices. Also, because they were so proud, not a lot of people went on the life saving boats. This was what caused the tragic death of so many people. 
• One of the main differences between the Krakauer story and the story of the Titanic was the the previous occurred on land while the latter occurred on the sea. The reasons why people died were also different. In the Krakauer story, people died because of a lack of care for the weather. In the story of the Titanic, people died because of their pride, which eventually caused them to bump into the ice berg and freeze to death in the freezing sea water. 
• They story is told in very different ways. In the Krakuer story, the story was told in a first person point of view in a story form from the author and narrator, Job Krakuer. In the story of the Titanic, however, the story was told in a third person point of view in the form of a story as well. The different point of views changes the style of the story. Also the time for when each story was written also effects the style. The story of the Titanic was written a long time after the event actually happened, while Krakuer's story was written quite close to the time period after the event occurred.

Participation

Jon Krakauer went on the Everest expedition as a paid observer for a magazine. This is called “participatory journalism,” and it can be quite dangerous. What do you think the job of a journalist is or should be? What challenges might a journalist face who writes about an event in which he or she is also a participant? Where do you draw the line between being an observer—outside the event—and being a participant—inside the event? How does a journalist deal with events such as disasters without becoming emotionally involved?

• The job of a journalist is to uncover the truth that the people want to know about, or the truth that they would care about. Or, journalists may also help spread the ideas and opinions of a person or a group. I believe that the jobs of the journalists is not to exaggerate and also not to spread rumors around the world, rumors that might not even be a bit true. 
• I believe that the challenges of being a participant is that he or she has to experience and record down the events and details of the experiment at the same time. And while he or she is doing this, he or she might get into another unexpected trouble.
• An observer of an event would be the one who barely uses up any energy. A participant, however, actually enters the event that he or she is reporting on. For example, an observer of a basketball game would watch as an audience, while the participant would go down and enter the game as well to better understand the feelings of the players. 
• I believe that to deal with disasters without becoming emotional, you have to be able to see through meager but important things, and also be able to quickly find a solution to your problem. One way to do this is to think in the point of view of how the world would treat this problem (or if you were an observer, what would you do?).

Risk

Why do you think some people are drawn to risk and adventure? What is the attraction to danger? Do you like to take chances? Why or why not? Describe a risk or adventure you have had or would like to have—perhaps due to something you have seen someone else do.

• Some people are drawn to risk and adventure because they enjoy the feeling of being nervous and the the feeling of being tense. It gives you a satisfied feeling. Also, when you face the risk or adventure, and when you benefit from the risk (or win from the risk) or when you complete the adventure, you will have a feeling of being extremely satisfied. This satisfaction makes you addicted to wanting to win. This is the same reason as why people are attracted to danger, because you feel the satisfaction, and if you face and danger and you "survive" or "win", then you might become famous, you feel yet another wave of satisfaction. I like to take chances, yes, but only when the possibility of benefiting is higher than the possibility of losing. For example, if there is a 60 percent chance of winning, or higher, then I would take the chance. Don't think that I am being a coward, because you still have to consider the fact that you have a 40 percent chance of losing. So, when you take chances, never underestimate the risk or feel too confident. A risk that I took before involves a dare - I had to make a prank call. It was quite fun, because you had to find ways to make the person answering the call feel awkward, and you also have to "disguise yourself", for example, making your voice sound different.

Free Write

Write about a topic of your choice. Be sure to write at least 200 words.

•  Today, just this morning, something shocking happened! Well, to you, it might not be a shocking event, but to me, it is really shocking because I would never expect something like this to happen. It's kind of stupid, but who said that I couldn't act stupid once in a while? So exactly what happened? Well, every thursday in English class, we would have tests on Latins roots, Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Today we had our suffix number four test. The suffixes this time were very hard because they were very similar, both the base and its meaning. For example there is -ment, which means action or process, and also -ment, or product of thing. Really confusing, isn't it? Anyways, here's my main point. Sarah, who is one of the best students in our class (and also one of the nerdiest person in our class), has never gotton a score lower than sixteen out of twenty. However, this time, when she took this test, she only got thirteen out of twenty! This is unbelievable!
• The next thing I'm going to talk about today is the fetal pig lab that I'm doing in AP Biology. Vincent and I were dissecting the brain of the big. Under the skin is a thin layer of brain membrane. However, I thought that it was really thick, so I cut it really hard. And the result? The whole brain was cut up and mushed by me. It wasn't a pleasant sight, but it was extremely funny!

A Challenge

Do you enjoy challenges? What kind of challenge do you enjoy? Physical? Mental? Why do you think this is so? Can you give an example of a challenge you have faced, or one you would like to face? How about a challenge you would not like to face? If you don’t like challenges, explain why you don’t.

• Yes, I enjoy several different types of challenges. However, one thing that bothers me a lot is that the challenges I enjoy are extremely specific, and most of the time my passion for solving that challenge would fade away, and I would only challenge it when I feel like it. It's a weird habit, but something that I can't change. It's just like when you first listen to a good song, you like it a lot, so you want to keep listening to it. However, after you listened to it too many times, you will start to be annoyed by the same song. The challenges I enjoy are mostly physical challenges. Very few of them are mental challenges. I like physical challenges because I enjoy feeling the strain and stress, because it makes me feel like "I'm there". It's weird, I know, but, I just enjoy it. One example is the condition training we get during basketball practice. The training we usually do include running the stairs (up and down, causes a lot of strain on your leg, and it sores like HELL), push ups, and also sit ups. I don't like mental challenges because I am never good at them. Even if I try really hard, I could never get the mental challenges, such as brain twisters. My brain can never really "twist fast enough" or it can't even twist around.

Highwayman

In “Typhoid Fever,” Seamus says that there is a similarity between what happens to Frankie and what happened to the highwayman. What is the similarity? Do you agree with Seamus’s conclusion? Why or why not? Explain how Frankie’s situation might be compared to a romantic story, and how it is different.

• Yes, I agree with Seamus's statement that there is similarity between what happened to Frankie and what happened to the highwayman. Now, let us think about it. In the excerpt that we read from Angela's Ashes, Typhoid Fever, we learn that Frankie was moved to another room because he kept on talking with Patricia, and because they were reciting English, non-secular poems and even reading the history of England, though it was the English that made them suffer like that. So to make it simple, Frankie was moved to another room because of a girl, Patricia. In the poem about the highwayman, the Highwayman gets killed by the Red Coats also because of a girl, the landlord's daughter, Bess. Bess was killed, and when the Highwayman found out about Bess's death, he was in rage and went back to avenge Bess, but in the end he was shot and he died. To make this simple, the Highwayman gets killed by Red Coats because of a girl, Bess. When you compare the two generalizations, you will realize that they are very similar. 
• When I compare Frankie's situation with a romantic story, the connection that I think about is Romeo and Juliet. Kind of weird, I know, but when you compare the two stories, you will find the similarity. Even though Frankie and Patricia are not in love, they are being separated, and one of them is going to die (even though it's the girl, Patricia, who dies.)