Free Reading: Game of Thrones

*A Note Before Beginning*

Sorry to those reading for the closeness of these articles together on the blog. I have been annotating and formatting the posts as I went along!

A Game of Thrones

     "A Game of Thrones" is the first of an epic novel series written by George R.R. Martin. Set in the medieval times in the kingdom of Westeros, the story erupts as the rulers of the kingdoms, and the banner kingdoms above them, fight for power and favor, among other things. At first, the intricate and lengthy list of kingdoms, banner, kingdoms, rulers, families, and symbols, may feel a little overwhelming; I know that it was for me. However, if you look at the back of the book, there is a glossary with all of the terms clearly outlined. The main kingdoms, or houses, can be summerised under their house "animal," which are symbolic of the nature and actions of the houses throughout the novel. First, the Stag is the symbol of House Baratheon, the King's house. The King is married to Queen Cersei Baratheon, previously of House Lannister, whose symbol is the Lion. Lord Eddard Stark is the guardian of the North, and his house symbol is the Direwolf. Under this kingdom and symbol is also House Arynn, ruled by Lady Stark's sister and nephew. Finally, the symbol of House Targaryen is the Dragon. House Targaryen was not too lately dethroned from Kingship, massacred as a people, and the few remaining were banished to a distant desert land. Each of the chapters of the book are titled by a character's name. That chapter may be written from the viewpoint of that character, or concerning the plotline of that character.

     Chapter one is entitled "Bran." Bran is a legitimate son of Lord Stark, neither the youngest or oldest. However, it is obvious that some special favor isbeing payed to Bran from the beginning. Perhaps he will end up as the ruler in the end? It will take some time to see. 

What is a Hero and Who is Mine?

A hero is sacrificial,
A hero is kind and good.
A hero could be your big brother,
Or one who serves the homeless some food.

A hero is not just confined
To be being Asian, super, or a man.
A hero could be a Spanish teacher
Who lends a struggling student her hand.

So whether you have special powers,
Arrest criminals or fight fire,
Regardless of your impact on the many or the one,
That "one" could be the next hero, inspired.

My hero is Mother Teresa. Her selfless compassion for others makes her a hero in my eyes. She obtained fame not by an effort to do so, but by so avidly helping others that others could not help but be drawn to her. She laid down her own comfort  to serve God and others. She was an example of how one can impact, even save, the lives of others through focused, sacrificial services of compassion fueled by passion. I appreciate the idea that it is possible for anyone to be hero by the standards that she set.

AOW: Citizenship

What Is A Hero? Mariah Carey... Or Asians.

This Blog Inspired Me...

So, I never really blogged consistently until now. However, I really enjoyed writing this blog, and I found it inspiring me to keep up a blog outside of this one for the class. Well it is a bit more of a mixed-media type of set up, I figure that plays into different technological and other such literacies. Thus, I decided to post the link here for my other blog, too, and combine my TWO electronic literary worlds.

http://themostawesomethingslist.tumblr.com/

Just in case you want a fun break from the school-related writing!

What Makes A Hero?

Courage-Selflessness-Compassion-Motivation

AOW 11/9/11

Rough Draft Budget For Spanish Field Trip

     For my field trip, I will be taking my 8th grade Spanish class to Leslie's Bakery on Glenstone Ave. First, a request for the trip will be sent to the principle's office. Once approved, a permission slip will be sent home to the parents. The slip will warn parents of students with applicable allergies (peanut, dairy) to let me know in advance so that other plans can be made for the allergic students. Also, besides informing that parents of the travel plans for the day, the form will request that parents send students with two dollars each to assist in the cost of the bus, as well as any spending money the students might wish to use at the bakery.The two dollars and permission slips will be turned in the week before the trip. Students who are unable to attend due to neglect to turn in permission slips, or for other causes, will remain in the office with quiet work pertaining to the subject being studied (food unit). On the day of the field trip, first period students will load onto the bus at 8:50 a.m. We will arrive at Leslie's around 9:10 a.m. Students will be encouraged to show respect to those working in the store and to use vocabulary whenever appropriate. A head count will be taken before students enter the store. Students will be given adequate time to browse the bakery and adjacent Latino market, make purchases, and engage in conversation. At 9:45 a.m., students will return to the bus, head count will be taken, and students will return to the school at 10 a.m. dismissal bell. This way they will have necessary time to visit their lockers in passing. The same procedures will be duplicated for the next class beginning at 10:05 a.m.