The year has come to an end!!! I'm gonna miss you during summer Sutherland we can e-mail, but it'll be scarce since im going to indonesia!! If after/before i come back from indonesia you need help with your house, i would love to be of service!
3.Explain one or two ways audience feedback helped you grow over the semester. (It doesn't have to be stuff Sutherland said.)
One of my favorite aspects of blogging is how people give you feedback; it's a real eye opener. When someone posts a comment onto your blog, I can't help but get a little giddy when someone took the time to respond to your own ideas. Once someone does post a comment you get to start a conversation on something you know the other person is interested in, or at least has some knowledge in. It's an amazing feeling when you blog about a certain subject and a professional in that area tells you what they think. A couple months back i did a book report on an amazing book called American Shaolin. It was an amazing read and it was stuck in my head so i decided to blog about it. Admittedly i didn't really put as much effort into the book review as i should have, but his(the author) reply made me feel amazing. Here i am, a high school student, receiving feedback from an author who doesn't even know me!! Receiving comments from friends and Mr. Sutherland is a good feeling also, but just isn't quite the same as the author of a book you read. Comments really make you put more effort into what you write about. I found myself writing for people who i knew would read it; trying my best to write in such a way that they would definitely respond. This would either turn out in a good way or completely horrible. Best case scenario i would write specifically to one person, and having several people comment back with their own ideas creating a whole new chat. The worest thing that would happen is you write for one person, and no one finds it interesting besides the ONE person.
Something i found a little hard to do was actually have a conversation through comments. I had no idea if someone commented on old posts and what not so i wasn't sure if a conversation was actually in the process. In the end i pretty much decided if I would continue the conversation I would do it in person. Sadly, that only works if ALL of your friends are in one town, which mine are not.
4.How do the things you read influence what you write about or how you write it?
Things i read heavily influence the way i write indefinitely. When I'm reading a specifically interesting book I cant help but reflect that style in my own blog/writing works. When i was reading Unwind The writing style was so amazing i tried to do it in my own creative writing. It was completely new to me, and very confusing for readers, but it was still a fun experience. With this style you jump back and forth between perspectives each chapter. I took it into my own way and used it each paragraph, which is a lot more confusing. Unwind was also a pretty dark book and my zombie post was quite the match.
I've noticed that as i read more my writing style and subjects have been broadened. I'm just like a sponge, and books are my dirty water that i must, MUST, absorb. Reading books is not only reflected in my writing, but with everything i do. It is dramatically changing the way i write from week to week and month to month. I believe writing reviews and letters about books you have recently read is good as making the book solid in your head. I understand and retain more from a book after i read it AND wrote a hefty some about it. This is a major key in how i understand and connect with material i read.
I was kind of hoping to read more class books; as in the whole class read the same book. I know not everybody will like the book as much as if they chose their own, but i think the responses would make up for that. 30 different minds all analyzing a single book in way, how could that not be interesting? I believe strong discussion can teach us more then any lecture.
8.For the second semester only: Do you plan on continuing to publish writing on your blog this summer, next year, or beyond? If so, what are your writing goals and how will you use your blog in the future?
Of course I'm going to be blogging when this is all over. Granted i will undoubtedly take a rather long break, but everyone needs to recharge after school right? Blogging has been a wonderful experience that i don't want to let slip away just because it's no longer an assignment. Blogging has been an amazing outlet to release everything in one place. Where friends ( I consider you a friend...if thats ok(?)) can scan over whats on your mind and learn a tad more about you. I'm very interested in the future things i will write as i go through high school. I am very hopeful I will mature in my writing in subject and structure.
This year I have been pretty laid back with my writing. Subjects that i found off the internet and my wandering mind were the main focus. I think i would love to get prompts online from website and dedicate a month to only blogging about that particular subject. I believe it would help me focus my mind. I would also be forced to go in depth with the prompt that i chose, which i think would be an amazing feat.
Another reason why I would continue my blog throughout high school and perhaps even further then that, is to show off what is IN my head. I have quite the imagination, and i love writing stories. I love getting feedback on anything i write. What easier pace to receive feedback then at a site dedicated to public posts?
Sutherland, I'm gonna miss your class so much. If your still here next year ill be looking forward to seeing you walk around or even possibly get inside your class. The year has been full of interesting conversations and life skills that i will cherish. I hope next year will be full of knowledge and even more engaging students then this year. See ya later~
Monday, June 7, 2010
The secret to free energy
"
If you want to find a completely free energy source, step outside and look up at that big ball of electric flame.
"
i liked it, so i posted it
If you want to find a completely free energy source, step outside and look up at that big ball of electric flame.
"
i liked it, so i posted it
Friday, June 4, 2010
for kyle
In post 9-11 world, Islam is often mis-characterized as having a violent, chaotic, and authoritarian mind set. However, today in Indonesia, Islam thrives as an aid for democracy and is relatively peaceful. Indonesia is a prime example of a growing Islamic nation that has become more and more successful. The relationship between Islam and the Indonesian government proves to be rather productive; Islam in Indonesia is also open to modern thoughts of women rights, it is tolerant of other religions (foreigners and tourists shouldn't be afraid of visiting), and helps citizens focus on what they want, but at the same time be happy and have control with their lives. Islam was first introduced in Indonesia in the 14th century, but has now become the main religion within Indonesia. Islam is extremely important to Indonesians even if they aren't following every single rule precisely. It's the major guidelines of their life, but most do not have their whole life revolve around it. Islam in Indonesia has been a unifying force that has support/aided democracy, helped Indonesian citizens unite as one, influence over lifestyle, and has been a helpful tool to work beside other countries.
To understand why Islam stayed strong as the main religion within Indonesia you need to know it's background. Islam was first brought to the island of Java, within Indonesia, in the 14th century most likely from trading with India. The Javanese people already were deeply influenced with Hindu and Buddhist ways. Islam brought over a universal (-ish) form of writing, making communication and transactions simpler. Javanese people already had a strong belief in animism (belief in which inanimate objects have spirits) so they gladly accepted Islamic teachings, as Islam has a sense of mysticism to it. “In AD 1633, Sultan Agung, the greatest king of the Mataram dynasty, replaced the Indian Shaka calendar, which began in AD 78 and which had been used in Javanese courts since Hindu-Buddhist times.” Islam was able to stay in Java and spread to the other Indonesian islands because Islam already backed up many of their previous beliefs, it wasn’t a major change.
Indonesia is full of aspects that constantly remind you, that your in a Muslim country. With all of these constant reminders, you really get a sense of how united the Islamic people in Indonesia are. When you are in Indonesia you will constantly see sirens and towers every where you go. These are not for disaster warning (however they would be used as such give the circumstance) rather a siren that calls Muslim people to pray. When you are following the rules of Islam, it is normal to pray seven times a day. At certain points of the day the siren will go off and if your not doing something incredibly important then you should pray. However, in modern times the working man has very little time in which he can find a peaceful place to pray. If you are extremely religious then you may have to plan your entire days around the siren. When it is time to pray you will see a mass of people praying or moving to a Mosque to pray, a humbling sight.
The common image of a Muslim woman is clothed head to toe, normally in dark colors, with tiny slits for eyesight. That is mainly the Middle Eastern women who are dressed like that. The lifestyle for women in Indonesia is extremely more western compared to Middle Eastern outfits. While still more modest then Western clothing Indonesian women aren’t required to wear headscarves or full body covers. This may seem like a minor thing, but it is a huge step in women equality in the Islam religion. Although men are still getting paid higher and receiving better jobs, sex equality is taking tremendous leaps forward. Indonesia has already gotten a woman as the president, beating the U.S. in a woman leader. If a Muslim nation can have a woman as their leader of state, then says a lot about the progression of equality among Islamic democracies. “The Qur'an is very positive about women. In the story of Creation, women and men are created from the same cells, so usually scholars say that means that men and women are the same before God.” To some people the Qur’an may be saying a certain message that is a complete opposite from someone else who reads the same passage.
Islam in politics has been like a roller coaster ride in the past couple decades of democracy. Currently even though 85% of people within Indonesia say Islam is how they would describe their religious standing, the Islamic political party keeps getting lower percentages. Indonesia is said to be the role model of democracy within Islamic nations. "Moreover, this Indonesianized form of Islam bore none of the severity and rigidity attributed to Middle Eastern forms, earning it praise for its moderation and tolerance. Some scholars even approvingly observed that large numbers of Muslims appeared lax in their devotions and heedless of all but the most basic requirements of Islamic law," Greg Fealy and Sally White note. (10)" This "lax" nature of the Indonesian people could be the decline of religious involvement within politics. This in no way means that democracy is being hurt, but rather that politcal leaders are making decisions with reasoning rather then purely religion.
To understand why Islam stayed strong as the main religion within Indonesia you need to know it's background. Islam was first brought to the island of Java, within Indonesia, in the 14th century most likely from trading with India. The Javanese people already were deeply influenced with Hindu and Buddhist ways. Islam brought over a universal (-ish) form of writing, making communication and transactions simpler. Javanese people already had a strong belief in animism (belief in which inanimate objects have spirits) so they gladly accepted Islamic teachings, as Islam has a sense of mysticism to it. “In AD 1633, Sultan Agung, the greatest king of the Mataram dynasty, replaced the Indian Shaka calendar, which began in AD 78 and which had been used in Javanese courts since Hindu-Buddhist times.” Islam was able to stay in Java and spread to the other Indonesian islands because Islam already backed up many of their previous beliefs, it wasn’t a major change.
Indonesia is full of aspects that constantly remind you, that your in a Muslim country. With all of these constant reminders, you really get a sense of how united the Islamic people in Indonesia are. When you are in Indonesia you will constantly see sirens and towers every where you go. These are not for disaster warning (however they would be used as such give the circumstance) rather a siren that calls Muslim people to pray. When you are following the rules of Islam, it is normal to pray seven times a day. At certain points of the day the siren will go off and if your not doing something incredibly important then you should pray. However, in modern times the working man has very little time in which he can find a peaceful place to pray. If you are extremely religious then you may have to plan your entire days around the siren. When it is time to pray you will see a mass of people praying or moving to a Mosque to pray, a humbling sight.
The common image of a Muslim woman is clothed head to toe, normally in dark colors, with tiny slits for eyesight. That is mainly the Middle Eastern women who are dressed like that. The lifestyle for women in Indonesia is extremely more western compared to Middle Eastern outfits. While still more modest then Western clothing Indonesian women aren’t required to wear headscarves or full body covers. This may seem like a minor thing, but it is a huge step in women equality in the Islam religion. Although men are still getting paid higher and receiving better jobs, sex equality is taking tremendous leaps forward. Indonesia has already gotten a woman as the president, beating the U.S. in a woman leader. If a Muslim nation can have a woman as their leader of state, then says a lot about the progression of equality among Islamic democracies. “The Qur'an is very positive about women. In the story of Creation, women and men are created from the same cells, so usually scholars say that means that men and women are the same before God.” To some people the Qur’an may be saying a certain message that is a complete opposite from someone else who reads the same passage.
Islam in politics has been like a roller coaster ride in the past couple decades of democracy. Currently even though 85% of people within Indonesia say Islam is how they would describe their religious standing, the Islamic political party keeps getting lower percentages. Indonesia is said to be the role model of democracy within Islamic nations. "Moreover, this Indonesianized form of Islam bore none of the severity and rigidity attributed to Middle Eastern forms, earning it praise for its moderation and tolerance. Some scholars even approvingly observed that large numbers of Muslims appeared lax in their devotions and heedless of all but the most basic requirements of Islamic law," Greg Fealy and Sally White note. (10)" This "lax" nature of the Indonesian people could be the decline of religious involvement within politics. This in no way means that democracy is being hurt, but rather that politcal leaders are making decisions with reasoning rather then purely religion.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
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