Vocab #4

As you all can imagine, when leaves start to fall, Hillsdale's Demarest Farms is packed with customers who are ready to go apple and pumpkin picking. If you drive by the farm, you have to be chary of people who just picked pumpkins and/or apples and are crossing the street to get back to their cars. In addition to the busy hay rides and pumpkin picking, Demarest Farms also has a corn maze. This labyrinth isn't very big, but it sure is confusing. I once went through it when I was very young and I got lost! I started crying and screamed for my mom to save me, which eventually she did (Thank God!). They also have a fun house which, is mainly for younger children, but I think that no matter what age you are you can still have fun. The fun house is capacious and can hold approximately 20 children at once! Lastly, as if I can't tell you more about Demarest Farms, if you haven't tried their hot apple cider you shouldn't call yourself human. Their hot apple cider is delicious and is unlike anything around. They are constantly making more because it is such a big hit. Unlike Dunkin' Donuts whose coffee sits out all day and night, and might not be considered potable for people who order it in the late afternoon or night, Demarest's hot apple cider is always fresh. You might be asking yourself why I know all these facts about Demarest Farms. The answer to this question is that I live about a block away from Demarest and I go there all the time.

Vocab #3

Yesterday I was wrestling with my friends for fun. We all wrestled when we were younger so we thought it would be exciting to see who was the best. We cleared an area in my friends basement and began to wrestle. We set up this complicated "bracket" in which we all wrestled each other at least once. In my first match, I won (how would it be possible for me not to?); however, in the second match my friend Mike wrestled my other friend Bryan, which was where things got ugly. Bryan committed a flagrant flag by throwing Mike into the door. Mike's head started to bleed, and as a result my friends and I exhorted, "Call his mom! Quick! He's bleeding!" After Mike's mom stopped the bleeding, Mike came over to my house where his behavior was very eccentric; he rarely talked and was simply not acting like himself. From then on we had an implicit agreement that if we were to ever wrestle again we would be extra careful and not emulate Bryan by pushing anyone into walls and/or furniture.

Vocab #2

Today I had a history test on the legendary Teddy Roosevelt and progressivism, and it was nothing as I expected it to be. Prior to the test we were assigned to read and take notes on the entire chapter. After doing so and studying all of last night I felt pretty confident about the test. As soon as Mr. Convoy handed me the test and I read the first question I knew it was going to be a rough day. There were probably only four questions that I discussed in my notes. After I finished the test I wondered if I was the only one who had difficulty with it. EVERYONE in the class had trouble with it, which is why it was so enigmatic. Everyone also agreed that their notes were more or less no help to them on the test. The casual and relaxed appearance precluded the students from knowing how difficult this test was. The test was probably good for us because it demonstrates what the AP test is going to be like. One the test today, one topic was how the United States commandeered the Panama Canal. Even though the test today was very difficult Mr. Convoy is a great teacher. He knows an imaginable amount of history that I cannot even compare to. He tells stories of WWI with so much brio that it gives me the chills.

Vocab

I spent time with my best friend, Rachel, this weekend. She is from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, and goes to Pascack Hills High School. She invited her camp friends over for the weekend, who live in New York. My friends and I hung out with Rachel and her camp friends, which angered these other girls my friends and I are friendly with. Rachel is also friends with these other girls, which made the situation more complicated. The drama was exacerbated by deciding to just hang out with "the boys" Friday night, and not the the "normal girls" we hang out with. Rachel's camp-friends, Elena and Allison, are gregarious and fun to be around. The other girls we normally hang out with felt that Elena and Allison are culpable for my group of friends not wanting to see them. This is totally false we like to spend time with them; however, it is nice to see Allison and Elena also. One of the "normal girls" my friends and I friendly with have importuned me to spend time with her and her friends this upcoming weekend. I am not one to cause drama or anything of that sort, so I have assimilated the events that occurred this weekend have decided that it is important to hang out with all my friends, and you can be sure not to see me spend an inordinate amount of time with any one person.

A classic

What makes a novel "a classic"? Discuss

What makes a novel a classic is when it is studied throughout the world.  This would be because it shows a significant importance to a time period, theme etc.  It can also be considered a classic for its usage of detailed vocabulary.  For instance, Romeo and Juliet is considered a classic because of its plot along with Shakespeare's unique writing style.  Another thing that makes a novel a classic is that it must be universal.  When I say universal I mean that it must interest people all over the world.  For instance, a novel about some sport only played in China would not be considered a classic because most people wouldn't find it interesting.  Also, the novel for it to be considered "a classic" must have an influence on people because without an influence no one will be inspired to read it.

Comments to others on Wuthering Heights anticipation guide

Alexa's blog on adopted children: I totally agree with you on this issue, as you can see from what I wrote on my blog we have the same feelings. I like the connection you made with your friend, although I feel it is a little different than someone who is actually adopted, but the message is the same.  I also agree with you on the fact that being in a family has nothing to do with being related or not.  A family should love you unconditionally. 

Samir's blog on anticipation: I totally of your statement that children aren't responsible for their parents mistakes.  Just as you said as a young child you don't know what to do and your parent can't teach you everything, therefore you parents didn't make a mistake.  I also agree when you said the statement should read "parents are responsible for their child's mistakes."  This is so true because if parents don't teach a child not to steal, that child will steal and will get in trouble for it.

Yuma's blog on rich men: I think you are partially right on women choosing a man that is rich.  I feel that if two men had the same characteristics except one was poor and one was rich, they would obviously choose the rich one.  But if they had to choose between a poor man who was very nice or a rich man who was a jerk like you said that would be different.  I think in the back of their minds they always wonder if the man has money, but I don't think its that important.  I think women should rely on the man's other characteristics instead.

An adopted or foster child will never be accepted as a "real" member of a family?

I have thought of this statement before because two of my close friends are adopted.  Although have been born from a different mother than they have now, they are still accepted in their current family.  A family simply wouldn't adopt a child one of the most precious gifts in life, then not accept it.  For instance, my friend gets the same treatment as as I would.  This doesn't show a difference between us, even though I have my real mother and he has a foster parent. Also, another one of my friends tries to call his parents by their first names, because technically they aren't his parents, but as soon as they do he gets yelled at.  If he wasn't accepted by his family they wouldn't get mad of this.  Another thing is that both of my friends who are adopted treat their cousins and uncles as if they are.  For instance, a friend of mine is Asian and his parents are Caucasian, and even when he sees his relatives he treats himself as part of the family, obviously showing that he is accepted in his family.