Change

Now that senior year and my entire first 12 years of education is ending, I’ve grown very impatient. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to actually like a person, not just tolerate him/her. I’ve just stopped trying. I mean, what’s the point? I have all my best friends and I only need a few special ones. But now that college is starting, it’s time to be reborn. I promise to lose weight and smile every day. It’s time for me to be how I used to be: friendly. I’m so excited to meet all these new and interesting people in college. That’s the thing about college. The college you go to has more people who are like you— versus high school, which is just a bunch of people who live around you— nothing common besides your residence. To my high school friends, I love you, and I sincerely mean that. You guys know how picky I am when it comes to friends and I don’t let just anyone become close to me. So to you guys, I’m really thankful and you guys mean the world to me, even if I don’t mean the same to you. So basically, some goals for this summer: lose weight, get toned, and work every day. Goals for college: try to meet as many people as I can and revert myself back to the old, happy, always-smiling Chanel. I miss myself. It’s amazing how high school can change a person. I went from being happy all the time, always smiling and laughing to being annoyed, irritated, and always wanting to just go home and sleep. Oh well, graduation is in 2 days. High school is over.


~ Chanel

Only 8 days left.

This entire year has been stressful. I was stressed first semester because of college apps and the uncertainty of admissions. I was stressed second semester because I had 65 ZEROS in AP French and had a 2.8 weighted GPA. But now, I am just done. I am ready to move onto the next chapter in life. I am just ready to leave. I've known most of these people for at least 10 years and to by honest, I'm tired of seeing their face. It's become too common. It's now time to meet new faces, experience new activities, and face new challenges. It's time to embark on the next journey-- alone.
~ Chanel

Chanel Chu's 6-word Memoirs

• Must stop eating. Can't fit anymore.
• Too lazy to do anything anymore.
• Just let me sleep in class.
• Lakers lost! Well... so did Celtics.
• Can't put down the in-n-out burgers.
• People always call me "black hole."
• Don't waste my time with nonsense. 
• Think realistically and practically, not ideally. 
• I don't care, it's senior year!
• FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD.

Just a few brainstorms, hehe. 

Graduation by Chanel Chu

Well, guess what, seniors? The day is finally here; we’re graduating!
Congratulations to all of you on this momentous day. No more of the
same old, “remember when…” I am here to give you advice for the
future: 4 ways, in fact, to success.

1. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE
Learn from your past mistakes, do not put off assignments till the
last minute, literally. In high school, we were able to bust out a
five page research project six hours before it was due, no problem. we
even pride ourselves on this skill. But in college, and even at work,
when so many assignments are due at once, there is no time to put it
off! When you guys receive an assignment, start on it right away-
believe me, it will pay off.

2. Socialize with new people
 these mundane high school cliques stop here; no more of the Asians,
the cheerleaders, video-gamers, the muscleheads, etc. When you leave
here, branch out to new and different people. Diversify your network
of people and break that comfort zone of people who are just like you.
Gain experience from building your network and being open-minded. Who
knows, one of these new friends might end up becoming your best friend
or even your sweetheart.

3. Sleep whenever you can!
sleep is going to be one of your most wanted desires in life as an
adult. School alone,is going to take up more than half of your time;
and when you also have a job and student groups to organize, there
leaves less and less time for quality sleep. So keep yourself healthy,
avoid becoming too stressed and rejuvenate yourself to nice nap when
you can. After all, your health comes first.

4. Forget all those troubles in high school
Take all that drama, hurt, and bull and leave it when you graduate.
Graduation signifies you leaving your elementary and central stages of
life. Take only the knowledge and wisdom—not the fighting and
hostilities. From now on, YOU are a whole new person—someone educated,
refined, and most importantly, ready. be who you want to be and Good
luck, to all of you guys, in the future.

Edward's Archetypes by Jessica D.

Today in class we started the movie Edward Scissor Hands and were supposed to look for archetypes and symbolic elements. I couldn't really find much. However, I remembered that darkness itself has a lot of archetypal meaning. It could mean sadness, death, evil or mystery. I also felt a huge connection to that of the book Frankenstein and i felt that both stories have the same over all meaning about the need for love, judgment of others, and the hardships of being an outcast. I can't wait to watch the rest of it to compare it to these elements because I hadn't really noticed them the first time I watched it

Edward Scissorhands

So I'm just saying Mrs Elliott knows what's up, i love the fact that were watching Edward Scissor-Hands. This class is honestly so much fun, i actually enjoy english this year cause mrs elliot makes it fun, and also my table is awesome. Anyway this year has been great, thanks mrs elliott.

The Poisonwood Bible Recap

The Poisonwood Bible Recap

By: Nikki Lee

            This past week, the class started reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. The book relates the story of the Price family moving to Kilanga, Africa because of Mr. Price’s missionary job. The girls and the mother do not like the idea of leaving Georgia, but pack their things and move to Kilanga for the following year.

            During the year, the mother and girls adjust to Congo life as they are used to life in Georgia where they are able to obtain luxury goods and do activities that are enjoyable and energetic. The girls have a hard time adjusting to Congo life, especially Rachel who does not like the idea that she has to spend her 16^th birthday in Africa and away from proper civilization. Kingsolver describes each of the children as being different from each other and independent on their own needs. Leah idealizes her father above the rest of the children, Ruth May is adventurous and will do anything as she pleases, Adah is observant and calm, and Rachel is a stuck-up priss who only sees the world in her own perspective.

            The Price girls go through tough times that challenge who they are and what they wish to achieve in life, whether it be to please another or to be better than the rest. Kingsolver wants the community to see life in another perspective and to enjoy the gifts we are given and to not take them for granted. 

Poisonwood = Crucible? by Jessica D.

Just out of curiosity, can anyone relate The Poisonwood Bible to The Crucible or is it just me? For some reason it reminds me of that book a great deal. Perhaps it's because of its similar mysterious tone and story of religious girls, not too sure. Ideas?

Philosophical Son

This week we took a philosophy test to distinguish what kind of philosopher we match up to and I was able to relate it to Bigger Thomas from Native Son. He seems to me that he would be an Atheistic Essentialist from what I saw from the quiz. Bigger never quite mentions his religious beliefs but makes it clear that he questions the existence of God. In chapter two he almost challenges God to prove that he is there and asks of God to stop him from actions. He has also committed sins in the act of raping and murdering Mary and Bessy, so if he feared a higher being he wouldn't have done them.

~Jessica D.

Senioritis Sonnet by Nikki L.

Senioritis Sonnet

            While in class, a friend decided to write a sonnet on her senioritis.

“This year has been the hardest of my life

And everyone said junior year was bad…

college apps, hard classes, so much strife.

In addition to the worst grades ever had.

I used to pride myself on work on-time,

And now I’m struggling just to stay afloat.

Like this poem just barely finding rhymes,

I’m bailing water out of this sinking boat.

And teacher, please, I promise that I try,

But in this sea of interviews and ail,

My brain is dying slowly, electrified,

Extend the deadlines please before I fail?

They say this year’s the best year of high school…

But honestly please end ‘fore I fall off my pedestal.”

            The sonnet emphasizes how all of us have senioritis and that it will eventually drive us crazy. This year has been full of ups and downs that have left some of us sitting on the edge of our pedestals. The sonnet connects senior year’s struggles to a boat sinking in the sea and how we are trying to stay afloat by bailing water out and trying to stay focus on the things that are important to our future: college applications and passing classes. Senioritis also brings stress and procrastination in school and worrying about getting into our dream colleges.

            We all have senioritis, but I guess I will have to wait and see whether or not it makes me fall off my pedestal before I graduate in May.

I am a hungry beast by Chanel Chu

I am a hungry beast. No, I am not a folktale legend like those who live in caves; now am i one of your Disney-movie characters. I am a beast of fod, of meat and carbs, rice and desserts-- and i might even be said to possess multiple stomachs. I am hungry, understand, simply because people refuse to feed me. Like the starving animals you see sometimes in zoo exhibitions, it is as though I have been deprived of  food and gazed at by people's wide eyes and dropped jaws. When they watch me they see only my  filled mouth, emptying plate, and remains of dinner-- indeed, everything and anything in my stomach.
~Chanel Chu

Group Essay

So, a day or two ago Mrs. Elliott impressed me once again, instead of giving us another routine, mundane essay we will be doing a collaborated work. I really like this idea because it makes the essay much more entertaining and also decreases the work load significantly. Also, it makes it easier to grasp the knowledge of the concept at hand because we can discuss it with our peers. Lastly, it makes learning and writing the essay much more enjoyable since I will be doing it with my friends.
-Jake K

Jane Eyre from Childhood to Governess

Jane Eyre from Childhood to Governess

By: Nikki L.

            For the past week, I have been reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Jane is a young orphaned headstrong girl who wants to feel loved by Mrs. Reed who took her in after Mrs. Reed had promised her late husband she would look after Jane. However, Mrs. Reed and her three children mistreated Jane to the point where Mrs. Reed sent her to Lowood Boarding School.

            When Jane first arrives at Lowood, she befriends Helen Burns, another student at Lowood; and Miss Temple, a teacher at Lowood. But within a few short months, Helen becomes sick with consumption and dies. Eight years pass at Lowood for Jane, in which she was pupil for six years and a teacher for two years before she sent out an advertisement looking for a new occupation.

            Her advertisement is answered by a Mrs. Alice Fairfax who is looking for a well-educated governess for a young girl at Thornfield Hall. Upon arriving at Thornfield, Jane meets Mrs. Fairfax, the housekeeper, and Adéle, the young French orphan who is the ward of Mr. Rochester. Jane then meets Mr. Rochester, whom Jane believed to be a hard, cruel man, but later falls in love with.

            Jane excelled through her years at Lowood by becoming an accomplished woman who can draw, play the piano, read, write, and speak French fluently. After Miss Temple had married, Jane decided to look for another place to work at. At Thornfield, Jane teaches Adéle her studies and meets Mr. Rochester who becomes intrigued with Jane and continues to ask for her company.

            Jane is an intriguing, stubborn young woman who speaks her mind, even when she was a child under the care of Mrs. Reed. Her stubbornness will help her while is at Thornfield and later on in the book when she leaves Thornfield and Mr. Rochester. Brontë wrote Jane to be a woman who spoke her mind, had a tender heart, and obeyed the commands of her employer and when she was surrounded by Mr. Rochester’s guests. If Jane had not been a headstrong woman, she would have been trampled on by each person who took advantage of her stature in society.