Week 10: Final Blog
I want to end with these: 1. I very much enjoyed the Lit. Circles...both of them were a great joy to me as I learned from others about our readings and how they applied to life in general. I very liked the opportunity to meet others, even if it was virtual. 2. I DO NOT enjoy blogging---I cannot see what people see in this. I must say that I much rather read and do quizzes than blog. It could be that this feels like a diary and I don't like doing that.
3. I do think this is a course I would have better enjoyed as an in-class. This would have allowed me a direct link to classmates and the instructor, which is what I do best with, so anything above a D in this class will be SUPER for me considering Literature is not my best subject.
4. I hope everyone has a wonderful Summer--what remains anyhow---and a very safe one. I hope all of you graduate with better than expected grades and go out into this world prepared to "Conquer it"! God bless you all and I am blessed/honored to have met you as a chapter in my book of life.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Week 10: Overall Thoughts
As I think over the past 9 weeks, it has been a blur...of course, taking multiple classes at the same time doesn't help that out at all---especially at at 41, where times seems to go, too, fast anyhow. I don't read much, okay, not at all unless it is work or class related and therefore required...this class has inspired me to want to begin reading, even if it just a little at a time. It was great to be challenged in this course to look at material more closely than one would if reading for enjoyment. This will be helpful as I begin reading books down the road here. The most enjoyable reading was, "fences" the play we just finished. There was so much content for me to relate with and I seemed at ease as I read and imagined the scenes, as though I was the director.
I am certain this course will be one that helps me to become a better reader as well as a better listener, as I believe both are crucial in life.
As I think over the past 9 weeks, it has been a blur...of course, taking multiple classes at the same time doesn't help that out at all---especially at at 41, where times seems to go, too, fast anyhow. I don't read much, okay, not at all unless it is work or class related and therefore required...this class has inspired me to want to begin reading, even if it just a little at a time. It was great to be challenged in this course to look at material more closely than one would if reading for enjoyment. This will be helpful as I begin reading books down the road here. The most enjoyable reading was, "fences" the play we just finished. There was so much content for me to relate with and I seemed at ease as I read and imagined the scenes, as though I was the director.
I am certain this course will be one that helps me to become a better reader as well as a better listener, as I believe both are crucial in life.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
"Fences" My Personal Thoughts
Fences brought out some reminders of my own childhood as I related to Cory and his relationship with his father, Troy. There were many similiarites I could relate, too, such as how Troy spoke to Cory and even how Troy felt as though he was always right and could tell Cory, in fact anyone, what to do.
Really enjoyed Gabe as well...his innocence and imagination rolled all up in one. He brought a wonderful joy to the story with his enthusiasm and ability to talk about God no matter what. I liked how he spoke of Heaven and the Book of Life...of course, we can't see Heaven nor can we see whose names are or are not in the Book of Life, but I imagine and hope my name is in it.
Lyons reminded me of a brother I have. Through Lyons I felt some pity and yet animosity because he, like my brother, had no problem asking for money..unlike Lyons, my brother doesn't pay it back.
I felt myself being pulled to Rose also. She always seemed so level headed, but yet strong-willed. I believe her strength was present only when she felt it was necessary. I particuliarly liked the part where she graciously accepted Raynell, even though Raynell came about through an affair. Rose realized that Raynell was innocent in all of this, so why should she grow up without a mother figure just because the father was unfaithful? She reminds me of my aunt on my father's side.
Wilson did, I believe, a great job of allowing imagination and emotion to be brought to life in the readers.
Fences brought out some reminders of my own childhood as I related to Cory and his relationship with his father, Troy. There were many similiarites I could relate, too, such as how Troy spoke to Cory and even how Troy felt as though he was always right and could tell Cory, in fact anyone, what to do.
Really enjoyed Gabe as well...his innocence and imagination rolled all up in one. He brought a wonderful joy to the story with his enthusiasm and ability to talk about God no matter what. I liked how he spoke of Heaven and the Book of Life...of course, we can't see Heaven nor can we see whose names are or are not in the Book of Life, but I imagine and hope my name is in it.
Lyons reminded me of a brother I have. Through Lyons I felt some pity and yet animosity because he, like my brother, had no problem asking for money..unlike Lyons, my brother doesn't pay it back.
I felt myself being pulled to Rose also. She always seemed so level headed, but yet strong-willed. I believe her strength was present only when she felt it was necessary. I particuliarly liked the part where she graciously accepted Raynell, even though Raynell came about through an affair. Rose realized that Raynell was innocent in all of this, so why should she grow up without a mother figure just because the father was unfaithful? She reminds me of my aunt on my father's side.
Wilson did, I believe, a great job of allowing imagination and emotion to be brought to life in the readers.
"Fences"
I want to blog on my thoughts on the play for this portion.
Overall, I felt the play was a good one...Wilson does a great job of giving details for me to imagine not only what the people look like, their surroundings, but also to imagine their very demeanor. I found myself not being able to put the play down...in fact, I have never read over 50 pages in one sitting until now. I imagined as a director would when it came to "getting into character", which I feel helped me to better understand the play and be able to immerse myself into it.
Although the play had moments of hardcore discussions mixed with vulgarity, the play's dialogue was good and easy to follow/understand. I felt it was easy to go from scene to scene and be able to understand every moment in the play and every character.
I want to blog on my thoughts on the play for this portion.
Overall, I felt the play was a good one...Wilson does a great job of giving details for me to imagine not only what the people look like, their surroundings, but also to imagine their very demeanor. I found myself not being able to put the play down...in fact, I have never read over 50 pages in one sitting until now. I imagined as a director would when it came to "getting into character", which I feel helped me to better understand the play and be able to immerse myself into it.
Although the play had moments of hardcore discussions mixed with vulgarity, the play's dialogue was good and easy to follow/understand. I felt it was easy to go from scene to scene and be able to understand every moment in the play and every character.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wk 8, part II:
Last night we had our Lit. Circle Chat group...apparently all of the groups met with only our group being fully successful with the LMS site, the other 2 groups had to get creative in order to complete their task of meeting.
As for our group, I believe it went quite well. I was the Director this time, a task I found more difficult than Passagist for last time. We did have a very brief moment where a discussion fell outside of our assigned task, but it was, with the help of another classmate, brought back on task quite quickly. Our discussions I felt were better than the last Lit. Circle...I contribute that to the knowledge we all had of what it was were to do, which last time was more of a learning curve. I very much appreciated the various points of view we all brought to the table regarding the content of each poem. I learned something new that was quite intrigueing...one: Frost had a rather difficult life, thus, would explain his poetry, a life of sadness and turmoil. Second: I learned that the poem Harlem was written just after the Civil War and that the poet was writing about the dreams of slaves and how difficult it was for them to realize their dream(s), whatever they may be.
All and all, I really enjoyed our discussion group again last night. This enhances the learning more than just doing homework on my own.
Last night we had our Lit. Circle Chat group...apparently all of the groups met with only our group being fully successful with the LMS site, the other 2 groups had to get creative in order to complete their task of meeting.
As for our group, I believe it went quite well. I was the Director this time, a task I found more difficult than Passagist for last time. We did have a very brief moment where a discussion fell outside of our assigned task, but it was, with the help of another classmate, brought back on task quite quickly. Our discussions I felt were better than the last Lit. Circle...I contribute that to the knowledge we all had of what it was were to do, which last time was more of a learning curve. I very much appreciated the various points of view we all brought to the table regarding the content of each poem. I learned something new that was quite intrigueing...one: Frost had a rather difficult life, thus, would explain his poetry, a life of sadness and turmoil. Second: I learned that the poem Harlem was written just after the Civil War and that the poet was writing about the dreams of slaves and how difficult it was for them to realize their dream(s), whatever they may be.
All and all, I really enjoyed our discussion group again last night. This enhances the learning more than just doing homework on my own.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Week 8:
This week we have our Lit. Circles and Thesis Statement in particuliar. Although I have written several papers, I am finding myself having difficult writing a Thesis again... I imagine due to not writing for roughly 6 weeks now, so I have gotten out of practice. I wonder if anyone else is finding this part hard or not?
I am looking forward to the Lit. Circle--this was a great time of learning in week 4, so I am eager to see if will be again. This time, however; I am the director, which is bringing some anxiety as I want to do well and be able to foster good discussions. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
This week we have our Lit. Circles and Thesis Statement in particuliar. Although I have written several papers, I am finding myself having difficult writing a Thesis again... I imagine due to not writing for roughly 6 weeks now, so I have gotten out of practice. I wonder if anyone else is finding this part hard or not?
I am looking forward to the Lit. Circle--this was a great time of learning in week 4, so I am eager to see if will be again. This time, however; I am the director, which is bringing some anxiety as I want to do well and be able to foster good discussions. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Week 7 Poems:
The Road Not Taken, by Frost is one that I remember reading in high school and believe a few times since. As I read it now, I can't help but think of the Biblical aspect I am able to relate it to. Christ tells us that the road to heaven is narrow and difficult...not many will take it. As I read this poem, I thought of how many people both alive and dead(perhaps) can look at their lives and say, "The road not taken". One one side, we have those whom for them, the road not taken leads to Hell, and on the other, is the road not taken that leads to Heaven. Which road am I on? Can I tell the difference---do they both appear to be the same for me or is there a distinct difference? I must say, that right now, I seem to be in the median at this time of my life, but perhaps I can be truthful enough to say that I am at least, and better off, hugging the road that leads to Heaven. I hope soon that instead of being on the shoulder, I will be on my way again, having repaired what it is that needs fixing, moving on at high speeds towards our Heavenly Father. I believe I can see the tow truck coming now, Christ, coming to fix the problem...Oh how I can hardly wait, so I can once again be moving!
The Road Not Taken, by Frost is one that I remember reading in high school and believe a few times since. As I read it now, I can't help but think of the Biblical aspect I am able to relate it to. Christ tells us that the road to heaven is narrow and difficult...not many will take it. As I read this poem, I thought of how many people both alive and dead(perhaps) can look at their lives and say, "The road not taken". One one side, we have those whom for them, the road not taken leads to Hell, and on the other, is the road not taken that leads to Heaven. Which road am I on? Can I tell the difference---do they both appear to be the same for me or is there a distinct difference? I must say, that right now, I seem to be in the median at this time of my life, but perhaps I can be truthful enough to say that I am at least, and better off, hugging the road that leads to Heaven. I hope soon that instead of being on the shoulder, I will be on my way again, having repaired what it is that needs fixing, moving on at high speeds towards our Heavenly Father. I believe I can see the tow truck coming now, Christ, coming to fix the problem...Oh how I can hardly wait, so I can once again be moving!
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