Shutting Down Minds

Why would anyone have the right to close down a library, to close down a mind? To close down accessible knowledge to the public? To close down a paradise?

Governments right now in Britain have decided to shut the doors of many libraries around the nation. Through this act I feel almost disgusted that a council would consider this option whatever the circumstances. Yes, there might be an economy crisis but the last thing to resort to would be shutting down a place of free education to all. People all around the world rely on the access to a library, and access to internet. In the world of today internet access is immensely important to all, information is everywhere, jobs depend on the access of internet, and many people who do not have this luxury will not be able to exceed the expectations of our world today. So naturally people began to protest over this crime. But one anonymous person did so in such a way that not only shocked, but delighted most people.

This unknown artist has changed the form of protest and turned it into more of a silent cry for help. He or she has showed the importance of books through art. Which I think in most cases can create a much more meaningful message to all. I hope the government notices the artwork, and notices the importance of libraries to all.

Me in Three Objects (:

Me in Three Objects

Lots of my Old children’s books, Pictures of my old friends, a bulletin board with the things I want to have and accomplish, and my

ipod plugged into my stereo.

I am sure many people have heard and or know of this book. And to many people it is just another good book, but the reason I chose to bring it in as my “special object” for class, is because to me, this particular book brings back many memories with my two sisters. My sisters

would always read this book to me along with many others coming from a variety of children’s book authors. (Many from Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl etc.) They read to me at night, in the morning, in the afternoon, whenever I pleaded them to. They always agreed because not only was this book one of my favorite ones, it was definitely one of theirs too. I remember sitting up in my bed with the dim light coming from my night ta

ble and hearing the many impressions and voices my sisters would make to make the story even more exciting and fun then it already was. And so, when my sisters moved back to Argentina for university I was obviously sad. But whenever I read this book it would not only remind me of when they read it to me but all the memories I have with them in general. Even to this day when I have nothing to read, or I have just finished a book, or just because, I pick up this book and it makes me smile not only because of the memories but because it is simply a very fun book.

The second object in my room that I feel that represents me are all my pictures of my old friends back in M.K.I.S. I went to M.K.I.S for seven years so I made many good friends, some that I watched leave and some I

saw come into the school as a new student. But two of my friends that have been with me the longest are my two best friends Ella and Juliana. I have a million memories with them, some bad but a lot more are great. We had sleepovers every weekend, we would always stick together at school, and I remember laughing every second of the day. And when I left all my friends, I was de

vastated, but since they both live only few minutes away I try to see them as much as I can. So these pictures are only a few of the many memories I have to remind me of us, the rest are either on my computer or in the scrapbooks we all made. I know i’ll never make as many as I used to, but a few more experiences are enough for me.

Third would be my bulletin board. It is located above my desk so I can always see it, the reason that this is shapes who I am is because it has hundreds of cutouts from magazines that represent what I my hopes and wishes are in life pinned up. For example I have an array of fruits pinned up and for me this represents health, I have a high heel and a few quotes on

it representing fashion because for now my ambition is to work in the fashion industry. I also added a quote I found in a magazine of a lady of 100 that is still doing sports such as track and field. I loved this, and I was so happy for her that I decided to pin it up on my bulletin because I definitely want to be in her shape at that age. Finally for fun and decoration I also put down things like puppies, a Lamborghini, hearts, candy, and dragonflies.

Sol, Simple Yet Different

My name is Sol. Simple, short, yet different. My name means Sun in Spanish, it has no meaning behind it like freedom, peace, love, or joy. It is just an exact translation. Yet to me it describes who and what I’d like to be. Strong, independent, important, likable, happy, fun and caring, really quite like the Sun itself in a way. I haven’t become this personality yet but I hope to mold into it.

My name is unusual out of Argentina it is much more “exotic.” But back home I am just another Sol walking on the streets, but there is one small difference, in Argentina Sol is a nickname for Mariasol or Soledad, but my name is just those three letters. I am so glad that my parents did not name me any of those horrible names because Mariasol is just ugly, typical, I hear it all the time like a number one hit record that is on the radio all the time, and Soledad means loneliness, it gives me the feeling of cold dark isolation, and who would ever want that.

If I had to describe my name I would say that my name is a warm comforting yellow orangish oozing gold. Or the sight you see and feel in the mountains on a warm summer day with the breeze playing with your hair. Even though I keep writing about all the wonderful things there are about my name, there are downsides.

My name is extremely short and straight forward. So you’d think that learning it would be extremely easy but for some reason when I was younger I would always write it backwards. I had a theory that I did this to make it look more interesting when I was younger. Perhaps it was because I was jealous of my sister Ileana, because while I had only three letters in my name she had six! So I would always complain about how “unfair” it was.

One last thing that still disappoints me today is when people pronounce my name incorrectly. I know some people really do try hard to say my name but somehow it never comes out right. When they try to say it and sounds so loud, abrupt and uncomfortable, maybe even a bit sharp. Sometimes it makes me jump in my chair when I am called on. You just cannot say it without having a Spanish tongue. But when you do it sounds so much more beautiful, a bit like the shortest song in the world. It is different when someone pronounces it properly, it transforms into a whole new name. My real name.

My name is extremely short and straight forward. So you’d think that learning it would be extremely easy but for some reason when I was younger I would always write it backwards. I had a theory that I did this to make it look more interesting when I was younger. Perhaps it was because I was jealous of my sister Ileana, because while I had only three letters in my name she had six! So I would always complain about how “unfair” it was.

All in all I think my name suits me like no other. It is the perfect name for me, a glove that fits as well as a second skin, because it is my name, Sol.

Why I Chose This Quote for My Title

Go as far as you can see and when you get there you will see farther.

In sixth grade the title of my blog was simply "Sol", it had no meaning it was just a name of reference, possibly to make it easier for my teacher when searching through the class. But that was just in sixth grade, now it needs to mean something. So I searched on Google, "quotes" and without doubt I knew that hundreds of sites popped up, so I scrolled down and picked out one in random. The site had many nice quotes that I liked but when I reached the end I found that one, I don't know whit is from the site did not clarify, but when I saw it it immediately stood out from the rest. I just really like how when most quotes and people say, reach your goal or always try the best and you'll get there. I liked how this quote pushed further, especially when it says when you get there you will see farther. This not only showed my that you can go above and beyond but when you get there you can try harder. I that's what I will try to achieve my whole life.

Greek Creation Myth

Goodbye 6th Grade :'(

Grade six has been a great year full of new experiences, but also full of work. Although most of the assignments were tough and challenging, when I had finished them I felt a sense of accomplishment. And throughout the whole year of humanities I feel that my greatest piece of work would have to be completing the Egyptian Diary. This assignment took a great amount of time, but looking back at it and seeing it finished I feel quite proud for just saying I did it. But not only for this reason. At the start of the year I think the most terrifying thing was to have to write an essay. It just sounded like the most horrible time consuming amount of work you would have to do. I had seen it in movies as a punishment and all throughout elementary I dreaded the day my teacher would say, "for homework a 500 word essay!" but now as I look back I've realized that I have not only completed an essay but many throughout the school year and some well over 500 words. I actually find it funny how now I think of this challenge as so small compared to what might be coming in the future and I hope that this is not the only work that is exaggerated.

Finally all this work in middle school has made me realize how I work in school. I think i've learned that during school hours I like to be a logical learner. I like to have things in order and wroking step by step neatly. But outside of school hours I think I am more of a gestalt learner. I like to see the big picture and I like to be very creative with what I do. Hopefully I will carry on to be both gestalt and logic depending on the situation since I take that as an atvantage, to be able to see both sides of the story.

When looking at the your learining you also have to evaluate the good sides and the bad sides of your learning aswell especially in specific areas. And the area that I have chosen is participation. I think that participating in class is an important factor when learning and that is why I think I should work harder to put more effort in to my activity. I hope for seventh grade and other years I will learn to ask questions more often if I do not understand or answer questions to get a better understanding so I can do well in class and have no doubts.

Based on my relfection as a learner throughout this school year I have come up with two main goals for seventh grade. The first to be more active in class and the second to embrace the work with orginization and a, as Mrs. Smith says a " can do game face :)"

As I said before I think being active in class is very important but so is being an Enthusiastic Learner. When I said I never thought I could write an essay I was letting myself down and not being possitive, I've decided for seventh grade to take work and try my best at it no matter what it is. And maybe this will improve my learning.

If I wanted my seventh grade teachers to know something about me or something related to the way I learn it would probably be to choose our own groups if nessceary. Not because I only want to work with my friends, but if I am to do a group project I would like to do it with people I know I'll work well with and get the job done well. Other than that I think I am fine with expiriencing new ways different teachers teach and new ways of learning. I hope that I will like all my teachers and they will like me! :)

Finally to end this blogpost I will give some advice to the newbies of middle school, and I only have one word, organization. This si the key to being succesful not only in sixth grade but all grades up to highschool. If you want to do something well and get a good grade on it there is no such thing as good last minute work. You need to plan out your work habbits and use your planner! Trust me it might seem like you can remeber a simple assignment or two but my planner has saved my from missing important dates numerous times. Another last thing I want to say to the fifth graders is to just have fun, it's your first year in middle school so enjoy it and don't worry too much about grades they only really start mattering in highschool, and if you ever get a really bad grade just learn form that mistake and use it as expirience and work harder next time. Trust me 6th grade will be a lot of fun if you play your cards right! :)

Dear Rosemary...

Dear Rosemary,

I have learned so much as the Receiver as I am sure you had too. I learned about things beyond our communities understanding, I learned about happiness, I learned about pain. I experienced and suffered all the memories passed down to me and I have held the heavy burden of this society. I have learned so much, as I know you had. But I have realized now how ignorant and selfish this community is. Keeping away the freedom of life from us, just to make life easier. I now fully understand why you would want to be released, although I do not have have this option I cannot fully escape the society so I am left with the only other option. Running away.

As we both know this community is strict on the laws of sameness, they know nothing about feelings and emotions, and nothing about the freedom of choice and it has been this way for very long. "Listen to me Jonas, they can't help it, they know nothing." (pg. 153)“There’s nothing we can do. It’s always been this way. Before me, before you, before the ones who came before you. Back and back and back.” (pg.154) I know you and I have learned about this society and their way of life compared to the one we could have have like in all the memories, despite the pain and suffering that comes with the happiness and joy of the past we both know that living with freedom of choice is the best way to live. With this we also know that changing our world would be impossible to negotiate, therefore I now know the real reason behind why you applied for release. Your father told me that the city went into panic after you had left, they could not manage all the pain and experience of all the memories at once, although I knew this was your plan and your only way of truly showing the community the freedom of choice, I am sorry to tell you it did not turn out as I know you might of planned. The community simply forgot about the "horrific" incident, forgot about the memories and forgot about you and this is exactly the reason that has persuaded me to leave.

Your father and I are convinced that the only way our community, our world will go back to the way it once was is if I run away, Elsewhere. Elsewhere, where there are colors, feelings freedom. When I do leave we both know that all the memories I have been given will spread into our city, leaving it's citizens to experience all the memories I have left good and bad. This will take them into asking help from your father, guidance, and that's where he will simply show them all that living in freedom is the only way to live. There the world will go on and our future generations will carry out this way of life for years and years to come. Although of coarse there is that chance of it turning out differently, there could be negatives, my trip away from my family and loved ones could just be in vain. But I will never know, I can only hope for the best.

Finally I end this letter with a thank you, for showing us, your father and I, that there is a way out of our pointless world and a way into freedom.

Thank You Rosemary,

Jonas.