Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The Third Level

Imagine wondering into this magical place in Grand Central Station, but nobody believes you. While Charley explains this to his wife she sends him to a psychiatrist, his name is Sam. Will he believe me? Wouldn’t this thought go through your head, along with many others? They are thoughts that Charley is probably thinking in this Romance, a lot like Narnia, that teaches a valuable lesson.
Unless this story sounds like an incredibly appalling world to you, it is definitely a intolerably written Romance called “The Third Level” by Jack Finney. Throughout this story there is a mild conflict happening to the main character. This mild conflict is that Charley cannot find the third level, ever again. In the end there is a life-affirming symbol that I really dislike because I believe that a life-affirming symbol should be a happy one for all people, especially in a romance. The upsetting life-affirming symbol that Finney put into this story is that Sam is now back in 1894. The way that Charley figured out he has now lost his psychiatrist, Sam is that he was looking through his stamp collection and he sees one he has never seen before from 1894. Usually in the envelopes holding the new stamp on the front is a blank sheet of paper inside but in this one there is a letter saying…
“Charley:
I got to wishing that you were right. Then I got to believing you were right. And, Charley, it’s true; I found the third level! I’ve been here two weeks, and right now, down the street at the Daly’s, someone is playing the piano, and they’re all out on the front porch singing, “Seeing Nellie home.” And I’m invited over for lemonade, Come on back, Charley and Louisa. Keep looking till you find the third level! It’s worth it, believe me!” It was signed Sam. While reading this story it really reminded me of what happened in Narnia, only I really liked Narnia.
Because Narnia is also very unrealistic and takes place in a perfect world with a little magic going on it really triggered my mind that this story is just like Narnia! To start out in Narnia they all are happy with their lives and they are just normal children play hide ‘n seek. When one of the girls wonders into the closet she falls backwards and she sees this whole other world. Any kid would be completely shocked, much like Charley was when finding the third level. In the end in both of these stories there are main characters who are both just either looking for or going into their magical world to escape their problems, which means they both have a very valuable lesson to learn.
There is a lesson that both of the characters in these stories need to learn. Throughout the stories the characters are trying to escape their fears and problems, but why? The lesson that many people need to learn from this story is not to escape your problems and fears and they need to just encounter their problems and work through or around them. If Charley would’ve done this, nobody would think he is crazy, and his wife would’ve never had to get him a psychiatrist. Although everything did work out in this story you should still take this lesson from “The Third Level” even though it is not the best written story in the world.
Now, what do you do if you imagine yourself walking into a mystical world? When I think about I don’t get excited anymore, I actually get disappointed because I am perfectly happy with my life just the way it is. This story really taught me a lot and I am very exultant that I read it although I still dislike this romance by Jack Finney, a lot like Narnia, and I am glad it taught me the lesson of facing your fears and not just escaping them.

Monday, February 22, 2010


Forever
Remarkable
Insannially fun
Emotional
Depend on you
Support you

Thursday, February 18, 2010

"Ribbons" essay

Imagine your Grandmother coming to live with you but she is playing favorites, and is only paying attention to your brother. This and more happen in this comedy called “Ribbons” full of symbolism and some important lessons in life.
This story “Ribbons” is definitely a comedy. From the start this story is very realistic. There are a lot of grandma’s that come to visit their grandchildren. Also this story takes place in a real place, San Francisco. Next this story starts with normalcy because of the fact that the grandmother is coming from Hong cong and it is just a normal girl who has to give up ballet. After that the conflict arises as the grandmother comes to stay with them. The main character, Stacy realizes this conflict when her grandmother pays way more attention to her brother than her and she is getting exceedingly irritated because of the fact the grandmother likes Ian way more, well that’s what Stacy thinks. The resolution of this conflict was that her and her grandmother have a talk, make up and her like normal grandchildren and grandparents do which is the start of the normalcy returning. Lastly because this story is a comedy there are many symbols that led to this conclusion. The author, Laurence Yep deliberately placed many symbolism of this story being a comedy from beginning to end.




Laurence Yep is an implausible author who puts boat-loads of symbolism in his stories. “The sunlight swept over the broad grassy square, across the street, and onto our living-room rug. In that bright, warm…” are the very first sentences in this very symbolized story and those sentences are very good examples at the beginning that everything is going to be ok and that it is realistic because there are bright days in San Francisco. The next immense symbol is that “However when I tried to put my arms around her and kiss her, she stiffened in surprise.” That symbol proves that there is a conflict going on and also “…that was my ice cream bar, I complained.” And the grandmother then said “Big sisters need to share with little brothers.” Those sentences once again prove the conflict and show that Stacy is now realizing it. The conflict is resolved by them having a talk and “Paw-paw” says “…I love my children” and then after that corrects herself and says “And my grandchildren.” He also teaches many valuable lessons in this story.
There is more than just one important lesson in noteworthy story “Ribbons.” I believe one lesson that Laurence Yep is intending to teach is the value of finding things out instead of just assuming somebody does not like you or care for you “…Ian got all of her attention…” Stacy said in the story but she should’ve found out why. If she would’ve did some research she could’ve found out that boys are more “sacred” in her country. I believe that another lesson people can get out of this story is that you need to respect your grandparents and their needs because Stacy at one point says “…we couldn’t watch our favorite TV shows because Grandmother couldn’t understand them.” I think that by that sentences it teaches kids to respect their Grandparents because that sentence sounds as mean as a lion roaring. Overall this story teaches inestimable lessons that can later help you in life.

Now imagine your grandmother coming to visit you. When I think about it puts a smile on my face, as it should’ve on Stacy’s. This humbling story taught me I should not assume the untrue, and should respect my grandparents or anyone else I encounter because later on I will regret it if I do not do so. This comedy “Ribbons,” full of symbolism taught me some very important lessons in life that I will value always.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Poetry

Poetry

Winter
Bare, beautiful, yet boring.
Colorless, crisp, yet cool.
Suddenly there is a flash of red;
Cardinal

Spring
Colorful, bright, new beginnings.
The birds sing beautifully, the bees buzzing noisily.
The brightness, the warmth.
Spring is amazing.

Summer
Sun streaming, heat burning my skin.
It’s summer time.
No school, swimming, and tanning.
Summer is the best!

Fall/Autumn
Red, orange, yellow, and brown.
Fall is a season of dieing.
When is it going to happen?
I ask as somebody dies next to me.

Food
Crunchy, munchy, salty, and sweet.
Those are the things I like to eat.
Popcorn, pizza, pretzels and plums.
This feast has just begun!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

What Could've Been

What Could’ve Been
My name is Taylor, I am just a tall, skinny as a stick, yet average looking girl. Then there is Chad, the boy I like, he is tall, tan, and handsome.
“Taylor, time for school,” my sister yells at me.
“Coming.”
12/10/04 8:03 am
Awesome, just another day in boring Colorado staring at the most amazing guy in the world, Chad.
“Taylor, come on!” Sarah, my sister screams at me.
“I said I am coming.”
One more year and I can drive! I finish writing and then slam my journal shut.
“Oh my gosh if you are not down here in…,” Sarah starts.
“I’m right here,” I reply cutting her off.
“Great!” Sarah sarcastically said.
First hour is at school, I have biology. As I take my seat I suddenly see girls as hungry as hyenas run in. Then I realize Chad is in my class!
“Maybe Biology won’t be as bad as I thought!” I mumble in the middle of the chaos.

When we get our new seating chart, I notice that Chad and I are lab partners! As I find the nerve to go up and say hi to him, he ignores me and starts walking the opposite way.
12/10/04 8:42 am
What did I do to make him hate me? I know I am not as pretty as all those other girls, but why does he hate me? WHY?
“What are you writing about, nerd?” Chad says.
“Chad, oh nothing, nothing at all. Do you want me to move or something?” I say.
“No, no, no! Umm, could I please just ask you something?” Chad says dreamily.
“Yes, anything!” I say sounding stupid.
BBBBRING, the bell rings‼
12/10/04 8:58 am
Chad was just about to ask me something! What could it be? Does he hate me? Does he love me? Oh my gosh I am sooooooooo nervous. Why did the bell have to ring right when Chad wanted to ask me something? This is so nerve-racking, agggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
“Taylor are you going to pay attention or shall I read what you have just written out loud so everybody may hear?” Mr. Labowski meanly asks.
“Yeah, yeah sorry I will pay attention,” I say.
“Chad” I whisper stupidly silent.
“Huh?”
“What were you gonna ask me?”
“Never mind I don’t remember.”
“Oh yeah, sure!”
“I was gonna ask you if…” he starts asking and then stops.
“What?” I ask.
“Well, it sounds really imprudent.”
“You can tell me anything.”
“Do you like me? I mean like love me?”
12/10/04 9:32 am
Oh my gosh! Chad just asked me if I LOVED him, but I am not really sure. I don’t even know how to say it. What should I do?
“Mr. Labowski?”
“What would you like, Taylor?”
“May I use the restroom?”
“Yes you may, feel free to take as long as you would like.”
12/10/04 10:01 am
I’m just sitting here freaking out in the black, rusty, repulsive bathroom. Why am I not pleased that Chad loves me? Shouldn’t I be? What the heck is wrong with me? I should probably go back now, but why? Maybe people will like me now that Chad loves me, but they also may hate me more because I am stupid and won’t just tell him I love him too? But do I? I hate my life.
BBBBRING! The bell rings particularly loud.
“Shoot, I forgot my book, Do You Love Me?”
As I dart back to biology Chad is sitting there crying his eyes out.
“Why are you crying?” I ask.
“Well, my parents are moving to Missouri, but I was not going to go with them, but now I think I might go because, well what is the point of staying if you don’t love me anyways? If you want me to stay just tell me that you love me and I will.”
“I, I, I”
“Forget it” Chad rudely interrupts.
“Sorry.”
“No you’re not, goodbye Taylor, I will always love you so if you decide that you do love me back, I will be In Missouri, I will be waiting for you.”
“Good, good, goodbye.” I finally choked out.
“Goodbye, I love you sooooooooooo much.”


6 Years Later...
10/13/08 10:32 am
Yes, it is almost time for break; all I have to do is make it through today. What am I going to do over break? I remember Chad, my one love, but I was 15 and stupid, and he was 16 and handsome. I am going to go and tell him my true feelings. He said he would love me forever; I will go and see if forever is over or not.
“Flight 2342 to Missouri.” The load speaker screamed.
That is my flight! I am so nervous, kind of like the time Chad told me his feelings for me. Ahhhhhhhh! I complete writing while taking my seat on the plane.
“You okay?” A tall and handsome guy asked.
“Yeah, yeah I’m good.”
“Why are you going to Missouri?” he asks me as the plane takes off and I can see the beautiful view below.
“Just to find somebody from high school that probably forgot all about me.”
“Weird, that is why I came here, but I couldn’t find her. I went to our high school Colorado high but I never saw her.”
Wait is this Chad I am talking to? Could it be? I hope so! Probably not though, it’s probably just a weird coincidence. I will just ask and see.
“Wait is your name Chad?” Taylor asked this handsome boy as they slowly crash to the Earth’s surface.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

"The Third Wish"

Imagine getting three wishes, what would you do? Would you use them all? In “The Third Wish” Mr. Peters comes upon three wishes, but never ends up using the last one. In this unrealistic romance full of symbols Mr. Peters is not in control.
This story is definitely unrealistic. First of all it has a man named Mr. Peters getting three wishes. Also to make it even more unrealistic he gets them from a swan he saved who turned into a little man with a crown. Lastly he is able to talk to swans, which one is his wife because he wished for a wife and she ended up being a swan. The swan missed her sister so bad so he turned her back into a swan. Because this story is so unrealistic it must be either a irony or romance.
I know for a fact that this story “The Third Wish” follows the plotline of a romance therefore is a romance. First of all it is very unrealistic with the wishes and the swan turning into a little man with a crown. Also him getting married to a woman who ends up being a swan. This story also takes place in a perfect fairytale world. He has anything he could want that money can buy and he also gets three wishes. Next he encounters a mild conflict which is that his as pale as a swan wife is very unhappy because she saw her sister swan in the water and she wants to be back with her again. After that the conflict gets resolved by Mr. Peters turning Leita, his wife back into a swan to be with her sister swan. In the end there is a life affirming symbol when Mr. Peters dies with a smile on his face. But that is just one of the many symbols Joan Aiken intentionally placed into this short story.
Joan Aiken used many symbols to show that this story is a romance. It starts out at dusk “birds had stopped singing” also “the trees were still bare, and it was cold” which are two symbols of death, sadness, and something eerie. After that it says “a spring evening” which is a symbol of birth or a new beginning. Next there is a swan turning into a little man which as we know is a symbol of being unrealistic. Next there is some symbolism of a conflict which is that Leita used to be a swan and she is now lonely without her sister. Another symbol in this story is describing Leita as “thin and pale” which are symbols of death or illness. There are also many other symbols which fit the story of being a romance which would mean that Mr. Peters is not in control.
1There is no possible way that Mr. Peters the main character was in control. To start off Mr. Peters just happened to see the swan who then just gave Mr. Peters three wishes. Although Mr. Peters is in control of what he wishes for he is not in control of the outcome, because I do not believe that he wanted to turn a swan into his wife. Now when he gets his wife she does everything for him and even when she is a swan with her sister again they both still help him with daily needs.
In the end Mr. Peters never ends up using his last wish. If you came upon three wishes would you use them all? Unfortunately these things are only things that can happen in an unrealistic romance.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

A beautiful Place

A Beautiful Place

Imagine Sun streaming down on your shoulders, the sound of waves crashing like thunder into the shore, and you don’t have a care in the world. It is so beautiful here with the sun setting in all different colors. Where is this amazing place you ask? It is in an astounding place called Hawaii.
Hawaii is full of great wonders including fabulous beaches and oceans. It also has warm weather all year long and beautiful palm trees. The beaches are wonderful, sand massaging your feet, ahh. Also, the water is as blue as a dolphin. I just love the beaches in Hawaii, but there is still plenty more to do here!
Another thing people enjoy doing, other than lying on the beach and tanning is to go surfing. “Brr,” I say as I enter the water. The water feels very cold here because the warm sun heats up your body and makes it feel super cold. Okay, I think that I will stand up right now! “Yes, I actually got up,” I say, and as I say that I plunge like a penguin into the water, I don’t think surfing is going to work out, so I will just go and tan a little bit longer.
I am having so much fun in the sun that I don’t want to get up but beach volleyball, let’s go! “Here”, “here”, “over” is all you can hear at our fabulous beach volleyball game! Finally, the match is over and the luminous sun is setting; it is so beautiful , orange, pink and yellow. As we drive back to our hotel I am still wishing we were on the beach
The sun streaming, and waves roaring were awesome aspects of Hawaii that made it so beautiful and fun. The sun setting was also fantastic with all different rays of colors. I really love this beautiful place called Hawaii.