1st Quarter Reflections

      I cannot believe that the first quarter is over already! It went by so fast. 

Where are you in your 20 Book Challenge?

So far this year, for the 20 book challenge, I have read 15 books. I have read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Beastkeeper by Cat Hellisen, Counting but 7's by Holly Goldberg Solan, Paper Towns by John Green, Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. I have also reread some of the Harry Potter Series, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I have also finished the Series of Unfortunate Events Series by Lemony Snicket. The Histile Hospital, The Carnivorous Carnival, The Slippery Slope, The Grim Grotto, The Penultimate Peril, and The End. I hope that I will continue to read more and finish the challenge, which I know that I will, considering that the challenge is only 20 books and I have three quarters left.

How has your writing progressed?

I think that my writing has come a long way since last year. Just this quarter, I have learned a lot about writing style, voice, formatting, grammar, etc. Looking back at my old blogs, I am noticing all of these little mistakes that I hadn't noticed before. 

What are your goals for ELA in the next three quarters?

My goals for the next three quarters are, for one, to get better ar vocab. Last year, I was great at vocab. I would study and I would usually do very well on the tests. But, this year, I am struggling. I usually forget to study and don't do as well as I would like to. So for the next three quarters, I really want to improve on that. Another goal for the next three quarters is to finish the 20 Book Challenge and hopefully get to 40. Last year, I got so close to finishing the 40 Book Challenge, I think that I read about 35 books. This year, my goal is to finally finish the 40 Book Challenge. 

Confessions of a Madman

The following is a recorded confession of Montresor to the murder by asphyxiation of one -- Fortunato.

You understand why you are here correct?
Yes.
So then, why are you so calm?
You do not frighten me. 
And why is that?
Nothing does, nothing ever has. Now then can we get on with it? You're wasting my time.
Just to clarify, you are speaking of your own free will?
Yes.
And you will speak the truth, and nothing but the truth?
Of course I will.
Now then can you please explain, in detail, why you are here?
You already know why I am here.
Yes, but you must say it yourself, otherwise it would not be a confession.
You have a point. I am here to confess  to murdering my dear friend Fortunato.
In detail, Mr. Montresor
Everything? From planning to the act?
Yes.
Very well. I first wished to kill him when he dared to insult me.
He insulted you? 
Yes.
Was it really deserving of murdering him?
Yes. 
Well, what did he say?     
He insulted the Montresor family. If I'm correct his exact wordswere, " The Montresors we once a great family, so full of culture and talent. It is a shame that they have been reduced to this."
Well that is rather harsh. When was this?
Over my dead mother's grave.
Ah....I see.
You understand my contempt for him, no?
Regardless of what was said and where, don't you feel remorse for your actions?
No.
Not at all?
No, not at all.
I see. Carry on.
I returned home and considered if I would ever have a chance for revenge. I wanted to reduce him to a mere sentence, as he did to my family. I understood that it would not be easy, he was a rather public figure, then there was the pesky matter of witnesses. I was thinking that I would need to lure him to a place he would not be noticed, and then do the deed. I know that murder can be a messy business, so I had to find a way to kill him without killing him. That way if they found him I wouldn't be directly responsible.
So why are you confessing?
I got bored.
Bored? Bored of what?
Bored of everything. I had been planning this for months, it was my everything. And so I now have nothing to do with my life.
You do realize the years you will be facing, right?
Considering the insults, and all the other things I had to bear, it was worth it.
What other things?
He hurt me in a thousand ways. 
Hurt? As in a physical injury?  
One could perceive it that way.   
You could be facing the death penalty, and you claim it was worth it?
I have no intention of facing my charges. 
And just how do you intend to escape them? 
I have just as many enemies as I do friends. 
Please elaborate.
I'd rather not.
It was not a request.
I do believe it was
I will repeat myself, how do you intend to escape your charges?
………….
Mr. Montresor?
…………. 

The recording ends there. There is no record of anything said or done by Montresor before the trial, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death.

I commented on Sofia's Blog, Aine's Blog, and Hazelle's Blog.

"A Gift From the Angels" - Of Beetles and Angels Poem

This is a poem made from quotes taken from Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom.

I was told to forget our differences.
And unite.
That I needed a heart that sees angels
A lifelong inspiration.
I was told that no matter how much strangers resembled beetles,
to treat them as if they were angels sent from heaven.
That they were to test the deepest sentiments of my heart.
In America, I found that people used a different calculator.
Beauty was external, money mattered, and so did skin color.
They only saw angels, when angels could help them.
To my parents, It didn’t matter who the person was or how much they had.
The poorest, most recently arrived refugee
received the same welcome as the richest American.
That is something I learned from them.
I learned that of the gifts that we can give,
the greatest is to see the beauty in each other
Because true power
comes from focusing on what we can give,
not just what we can take.
The big sweeping revolutionary actions are not always the most noticeable.
Quite often, it will be the small things that all of us can do
that will have the most impact.
And today’s small act of kindness
can become tomorrow’s whirlwind of
human
progress.