The Tao Of Christmas

Christmas is a very important time of the year for many people around the world. There are many get-togethers that families and friends enjoy. But there are many things that have to get done by the people to be able to have an unforgettable Christmas. I will start by mentioning the Tao for the children which is an important part of their lives which they'll never forget.

It's very said that children have to be good during the year to receive presents from Santa Claus. If this were to be true, children would have to change many of the things they do, but overall they try to be good and are most of the time rewarded at this time of the year.

Kids should be aware of both good and bad things. They should be able to decide whether their actions are for their own good or are good for the people around them. Choosing between right or wrong things is very important, and it's also a great experience to put in practice their judgments based on their knowledge. "Know the white, but keep the black! Be an example to the world! Being an example to the world, ever true and unwavering, return to the infinite. " (pg.30)

Children should be more conscious that they should not only be good as Christmas approaches, but through the year. They should not be perfect with everything they do, because by doing this their childhood will end-up being a nightmare. Where they weren't able to enjoy as much as most children did, by having fights and loosing, winning, showing-off, etc. these kinds of things that kids shouldn't do, but that form up part of their childhood. Occasions that will never be forgotten, and when they grow-up they will be able to say, "Why did I do that!" or "that was very fun, but mean", or similar things that were not well done, but that most kids enjoyed doing. "He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the peace. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous is not respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to the followers of the Tao, "These extra food and unnecessary luggage." They do not bring happiness. Therefore followers of the Tao avoid them."(pg.26) many people think that they kids should do everything correct, but most of these people don't know what things are right or wrong. Maybe things that are considered bad by many people are good, and that children will keep on doing them, and will have a memorable childhood. This will lead them to have great Christmases that will keep on with them for many years.

As a family, to have a nice Christmas, families should be in peace and happy. They should have good relationships between each other and they should feel responsible for one another. By doing this and being together in Christmas it will be a moment of happiness and serenity for them. They will all help each other with anything they need, and they will feel compromised with the family. "When there is no peace within the family, Filial piety and devotion arise. When the country is confused and in chaos, loyal ministers appear."(pg.20) The families will be united, something that is very necessary to have a merry Christmas, that will be enjoyed by all the family.

Many adults might think that Christmas is just for children, but this is not true. Adults should be role models for the children, showing them the how great Christmas can be. They shall not forget the fun they had when they were little. And should keep having the same spirit and preserve the same fun environment that was always there during that special time of the year.

"It is more important to see the simplicity, to realize one's true nature, to cast off selfishness and temper desire."(pg 21) Many adults should have this in mind that they should not feel as if in a different situation than the children. They should realize that they are involved in the same holiday as the children, trying to enjoy the same things that are being celebrated by the families and friends. They should also feel the same as most children feel, and enjoy similar things while they share time together.

Many adults also think that Christmas is just something cultural, that has been done for many years and that's why they should keep on doing it. That is like, "Man follows the earth. Earth follows heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. Tao follows what is natural" (pg.27) It's similar to this because adults sometimes celebrate Christmas just because it's something that's cultural. And most of the people believe in that, what religion has told them to do, so they follow it. And that is what's supposed to be correct, therefore many people keep on doing what they were told to do.

Go

This game was new to me, it was very simple to play at first when they gave you everything you had to. As I passed stages, I had to start learning about the double eyes, double Ataris, illigal moves, ladders, etc. it became harder. You had to be very aware of the many positions your opponent would have and not to make a bad move which could make you loose many stones. You have to make sure that you get many more stones from your opponent and and have the largest territory. The game becomes much more interesting when your opponent already has many stones in the board and the fight becomes very tight. You have to use different strategies to be able to win according to position of each of the stones and the form they make.

Accept The Truth

“Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things”(pg. 15) When you are not feeling well with yourself you will not be able to be fine with others. You have to accept the way you are and the role you have in your society. When you have accepted this, everything change and you’ll start seeing everything from another perspective. As you have accepted the reality in which you are living you’ll notice the good and will appreciate more things than you did before.

Would It Be Fun?

Everything that is done will have consequences, good or bad. People have to be careful with their actions and what will be their effects. Everyone should be more conscious of what they are actually doing and how that will affect others. And there is only one way of avoiding negative consequences, not doing anything. "If nothing is done, then all will be well."(pg. 5) If this is done bad things will occur, but just imagine a world with nothing being done. If this were to happen, it would be very boring. Nothing would happen it would be like living in a play world where everything's perfect, it wouldn't be exciting at all.

Count And Noncount Nouns

Exercise 1

world C textbook C acid D smoking N poetry N applause N thought D

banana C conduct N progress N biology N essay C crystal D shopping N

Exercise 2

defense X beauty X garbage ___ experience X baggage ___

rain X rug ___ nature ___ bag ___ emotion X

Exercise 3

Diabetes: Beyond the Basics

Because diabetes can cause devastating damage to virtually all body systems, people with diabetes should not underrate the seriousness of their disease. Learning to live with a chronic illness such as diabetes must be an ongoing process.

The Hospital's Center for Family Life Education is sponsoring a five-part educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on April 30 and continue through May 29. The program will be held in the second floor classroom of the Education Center from 7-9 p.m.

The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific interest to people who have diabetes and their families and friends.

Exercise 4

____ a table X these person ____ this furniture ____ that assignment ____ a boy

____ the poetry ____ a difficulty X a research X this eggs X those argument

Exercise 5

The Computer Jungle

Though you can make the decision on purely economic grounds, buying a computer is often more like joining a religious cult. Buy an Apple, for example, and almost by default you join Apple chairman Steve Jobs in his crusade against IBM. Every machine has its "users' groups" and a band of loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all the more difficult for the uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. Students have a huge advantage, however. The computer companies are so eager for students' business (it builds "brand loyalty") that many offer huge discounts.

In the past six months, IBM, Apple, and others have brought out new computers, and the fierce competition has forced prices down. Also, time is on your side: next year at this time you'll have even more choice and more computing power and features for the same price. On the other hand, this will probably be true for many years. So for those who need or want a computer now, it's a great time to buy one.

Quantity Terms with Count and Noncount Nouns

1. Quite a few students have trouble with economics.

2. It requires quite a little or quite a bit of* reading.

3. Few advisors spend as much time with their students.

4. He has little hope of passing his exams.

5. George's advisor spends quite a little or quite a bit of time with him.

6. He knows few people in the class.

7. Bill spends little money on clothes.

8. She spends quite a little or quite a bit of money on CDs.

9. He has few suits.

10. He understands little of the reading.

Virtuous

The Essential Analects is good book, that teaches people ways of becoming better, being good. It was very wise advice that can help you reflect about your own life. This may help you become a more conscious and helpful person for the others. This is a personal growth book, which may help many people feel better with themselves as well as with others. I really enjoyed reading the few chapters, it gave me a broader view of the many ways there are to improve as a person in a society.

Conservative?

In class we started discussing that Confucius was a very conservative man, this is not demonstrated as much in the book. "8.8 The Master said, "Find inspiration in the Odes, take your place through ritual, and achieve perfection with music."(pg 23) The Master was trying to teach them to be good in a very conservative way, by doing everything calmly and by following the rituals of the culture. Following rituals are conservative thoughts because not everyone believes the same things but they still do them because of their surroundings. Being conservative is a way of avoiding fear they usually fear the idea of a change. Because of this, they decide to do what the society think is best and what has been done for a while that hasn't fail. This is what Confucius means that by following rituals, they will be able to inspire themselves to do well. With music he wants them to understand the music's lyrics so that they will find the message of the songs, and therefore, get inspired by them.

Words That Sound Alike Practice

1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we're going to be late.
2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.
3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscious, Selma was seized with an attack of conscience-- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?
4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.
5. Have you seen their coats? They're going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.
6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's concept of the ideal society in Utopia.
7. Even though Bob would rather play video games than study, he decided to hit the books and then play some Halo.
8. It's easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating its signs and window displays.
9. You're fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.
10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal advice about how to handle this situation.

Decisions

People believe everything they did was the best that could have happened, but most of the time you chose what path you take. The path you chose to follow can open your mind and opportunities. You have to search and try hard to get whatever you want, things will not get to you as easy as it may seem. "15.29 The Master said, Human beings can broaden the Way-it is not the Way that broadens beings."(pg 45) All the opportunities you discover and try you have to do them willingly, not as if you were obliged. It is a learning opportunity where you can improve being good.

Don't let opportunities pass by, enjoy them as much as you can while you have them, in one moment or another you will not have them. Many people might not notice many things they have until they lose them. Be grateful for what you have right now because you don't know what will actually happen in future and if you will continue having the same things you have now. Depending on the path you decide to take your opportunities will change accordingly and you'll not even notice.

Be Willing

"7.8 The Master said, "I will not open the door for a mind that is not already striving to understand, nor will I provide words to a tongue that is not already struggling to speak. If I hold up one corner of a problem, and the student cannot come back to me with the other three, I will not attempt to instruct him again." (pg20) The master says very wise things, including this one. When people want to teach, everyone will expect their students to be willing to learn. When the students don't want to learn, everything taught will be lost and have no purpose. Students are supposed to learn, but when their mind are closed nothing of what's supposed to being learned is lost, they should appreciate what they have.

People are just willing to do whatever they please, but some others are pleased with what the rest of the people do. Friends appreciate what the others do for them, just because of the action and not because of the way they did it. Another thing is that people have different ways of doing things, they are all accepted as long as they have a good purpose. There can be many ways of doing things in a similar area, but they can have many effects that will affect the people around it and that might be controversial. These can be seen as "bad" ways of doing things around people.

Everyone Is Good

Not everyone is considered good here, but being good implies many things. And many people might consider themselves as bad, but they are not as they think, they usually criticize harder on them than on others. This occurs often because people dislike giving so much positive credit to them. There can't be a person that's perfectly good, and that's why we live as a society. Bad and good people learn from others mistakes and henceforth they become better people. They also see the necessity of improving and not on what they will receive for what they do, "6.22…He then asked about Goodness. The Master said, "One who is Good sees as his first priority the hardship of self-cultivation, and only after thinks about results or rewards. Yes, this is what we might call Goodness."(pg 17)

People are always willing to improve in many ways and one way is having passion for what you do. You can not only be more successful, but also you will have a positive attitude towards your actions and that will not only influence you but the people around you. "6.29 The Master said, "One who knows it is not the equal of one who loves it, and one who loves it is not the equal of one who takes joy in it." (pg 17) this will change drastically the environment in which you are and the attitude of the people will also contribute for and improving and learning atmosphere. This will also influence the people in wanting them to become better and learn from the others and improve their way of doing the things. 

Finally Convinced

The acceptance speech of Obama was a great one, not only in content but also in the use of his gestures and ways of speaking and convincing. His gestures are well used, he moves his hands in a way that you notice his confidence on the topic. Through his gestures he transmits many of his ideas and demonstrates the charisma he has for his arguments. His movements were well controlled, therefore, it didn't create any distractions.

His speech uses many types of rhetoric, and describes topics in different tenses making a more convincing argument. He refers to the past trying to make precise arguments supported with stories and derails from the past. He also uses the future tense, giving the republicans a choice to help him during his presidency. And he also uses the present referring to McCain's campaign and how wonderful it had been to be at the side of his loved ones during this time, valuing their time and support during that time. He uses some hasty generalizations when he says "And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world -- our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down -- we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security -- we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright --tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope." Because he is saying that Americans in general, but there are still many Americans that don't believe in this.

Fallacies

In the beginning of the first question, Obama used circular reasoning, when he repeats part of the question in his answer "And a lot of you I think are worried about your jobs, your pensions, your retirement accounts, your ability to send your child or your grandchild to college."

"And I believe this is a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years, strongly promoted by President Bush and supported by Sen. McCain, that essentially said that we should strip away regulations, consumer protections, let the market run wild, and prosperity would rain down on all of us." Obama uses an irrelevant conclusion because he focuses more on what President Bush did and not on what he will do.

After several proposals Obama has for the economy, he at last said "And then long-term we've got to fix our health care system, we've got to fix our energy system that is putting such an enormous burden on families. You need somebody working for you and you've got to have somebody in Washington who is thinking about the middle class and not just those who can afford to hire lobbyists." In this part, he uses the "slippery-slope" fallacy he starts proposing some things and ends up suggesting many things.

To the same question as the one Senator Obama was answering, Mc Cain answered in a part with an either/or fallacy, "We've got to have a package of reforms and it has got to lead to reform prosperity and peace in the world." He's trying to say that if his reforms take place everything will improve, as if it were the only solution to the problem.

Never Give Up

While reading Night, I was shocked at the content and the way in which Wiesel told his memoirs, it´s incredible how many details he gave and the faith that most of the Jews had during difficult times. Their faith and their beliefs are the ones in The Bible, and the situation of Elie in the camp is very similar to the one of Job. He also accepts it, "How I sympathized with Job! I did not deny God's existence, but I doubted His absolute justice." (pg 42) Many people started to lose their faith and believed that God had abandoned them through these difficult moments.

They all remembered the Jewish holidays and some still tried celebrating. Others didn't because they could fast for fear of dying or starving, and others they had just lost their faith and saw no purpose on continuing their religious life. Some people tried to convince others to keep their faith and that God would help them survive the war, but many didn't mind anymore and had no fear of death and were sure that God wouldn't do anything for them.

At the end Elie noticed that God allowed him to get out of the concentration camps, unfortunately he was the only survivor from his family. At the same time he was almost sure that his father had rested from all the suffering he had to overcome for almost a year, and that he was not agonizing as he had been the last moments they were together.

I Accept

When Job heard all the arguments made by his friends, his opinion about what God was doing hadn't changed. They didn't convince him at all, and he was still very angry and disappointed at Gods actions. Not only Job was disappointed at God, but God was disappointed at Job, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" (38; 2) At this point Job was very decided that he was disillusioned by God and that he wasn't going to change that idea. When people are so convinced about their own idea it's very complicated to change their minds, and especially where there's no actual proof for anything. When you are angry at someone else, you really don't want to know about the other person. That was what happened with Job, God wanted to let Job know that what he was doing was for his own good. At first Job didn't want to listen to God, which was more normal.

While he heard all the questions posed, and meanwhile he started changing his ways of thinking and started to accept the reality. As more and more people comment on his situation, people start realizing the truth of their actions and what they actually did. "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not." (42; 3) after so many questions that God asked Job, he finally realized that the challenges God had posed before him were to help him and not to make him feel ashamed. It's very important that people recognize their mistakes and to let the other people that they were blaming know that they made a mistake.

Don’t Be Proud

Job was having a hard time for not accepting his mistakes, he, as many people blame others instead of recognizing their mistakes. This was one of the main problems Job had, he was very proud of himself. His friends wanted to help him, but as he was so stubborn, they had a very hard time convincing him. he still had hope that God will one day stop putting so many obstacles in his way, and that he could keep on with his normal life. "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease." (14; 7) This is completely true you always have second chances, but before you even think about them, you have to accept your mistakes and your sins.

"When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness." (30; 26) you should never stop thinking on positive things, when you start to believe everything's bad, nothing will turn out the way you want it to be. This is very present in these chapters, Job wanted God to help him, but being so negative nothing turned out correctly. When people are depressed, the think everything that will happen and that's happening is wrong, nothing will turn out as they expected it. When they start looking further they realize that by thinking positively things can change and your life will change drastically.

You can never lose your faith, because if you just think in the cause of the problem instead of the solution or other options you have it will be impossible to proceed. "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." (33; 14) Elihu tells Job that God helps him in many ways, and tells him how to them through different situations, many that he will ot remember. I f you can't proceed, you will have a lot of trouble improving your life style and your thoughts. You always have to think in an alternate way with a variety of options. You have to seek in different places and occasions ways to resolve your problems.

Respect Others

Job was a very respectful man, he was very religious and responsible for his beliefs and actions according to God and his religion. This is an example of the Golden Rule, treat everyone as you expect them to treat you, he respected everyone, and they respected him, everything was mutual. "Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him." (2; 11) He also treated his friends with a great charisma, and in when Job was in a difficult situation, his friends returned everything he had done for them. When a friendship has been transparent for a long time being very sincere with others and having a nice feeling about the way your friends treat them, this will help you or others overcome more easily over difficult situations.

Even if man faces difficult situations they have to overcome them in some way, it sometimes will be through friends, mental power, or any other ways that people explore. "Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?" (4; 17) Many people might ask this question, and they should consider that God is superior to everything or everyone, why would humans have the same power as God? It is reasonable that man are different than God and they are each pure in their own way. God has more power over the world, but humans have power over their decisions and God has nothing to influence over this. Overall, God is better in some situations that don't include humans' decision, while humans are superior when it comes to decision making, they take their decisions according to their perspectives.

Obama’s Speech In Rhetoric

Most of the time Obama uses in his speech ethos, he is trying to say what he will do to improve, and how bad the country has worked in past years.

"Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story, of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to."

"Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less."

"America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this."

"And we are here -- we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight."

Occasionally Obama uses some logos, this is one example,

"But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time."

"The truth is, on issue after issue that would make a difference in your lives -- on health care, and education, and the economy -- Senator McCain has been anything but independent."

The time I watched his speech he had no pathos as he is in a formal speech and the use of pathos is not an adequate form to argument.

You Always Do It

David was very cordial and even when Saul died, he lamented it. He was always trying to improve everything, even the tribes that were near Israel. "Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel." (5;2) He was such a great and equal ruler, that the people from other tribes went to him trying to be under his reign. He wanted to do the most convenient thing for everyone.

David as all humans is not perfect he saw a married woman naked and decided to make out with her, but as a consequence God sent Nathan another prophet to make sure that David knew he had done something wrong. At first David was very selfish and didn't want to accept what he knew was wrong, but after a small story Nathan told him he finally accepted that what he had done was wrong. This happens very often when people take erroneous decisions that might affect their future terribly, but they think it's easier or better for them and not think on the future or the consequences that will happen. When they realize and accept their mistakes they start changing their paths according to what will be better for the surroundings. The same thing happened to David, "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die." (12;13) He still had to face the consequences which were terrible, his first son with Bath-sheba died. But as he confronted the consequences for having sinned, his second son, Solomon, was born well.

You Are Not The Only One

Samuel was a great follower, he always wished for Israelites to be as faithful as he was. Unfortunately most of Israel was losing their faith. Until Samuel could finally persuade them and they started to believe as they did before, the only thing they wanted was to have a king. Samuel didn't want this, but God said it was fine if they still had faith. This was very important, because if people forget what they believed in, this will be forgotten for a long time, and the king will be more important than God. This was the only inconvenience they could have, but this didn't really turn out as it was expected.

God and Samuel were very demanding with the election of the king, they wanted to please the people, but at the same time the king should be faithful. Saul was a good follower. After some time he started to give the material things more importance rather than following God. This is something that still occurs to many people, they get involved with others and they forget their principals and just care for the material things. When Saul was dropped from being king, David replaced him. Saul was very jealous and became resentful towards David "And Saul eyed David from that day and forward." (18:9) Many people are resentful for some tiny details that are not worth anything, they may find many other things that are better, but they still want the thing that others have.

The First Book of Samuel

Don’t Leave

When the Israelites where now living more as a community and set up, the LORD decided to leave them work the first six days of the week, and rest the seventh day, that hasn't really changed in our society because most of the people work Mondays through Saturdays and they rest Sunday. When Moses talked with God, the people started making many offerings, and the LORD wanted them to do many more things. "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls."(30; 15) The LORD expected everyone to make an offering, he didn't want someone to give more or less than another and he was just trying to give credit for the purpose of the action and not the action as a whole.

"And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him." (32; 1) people tend to follow one person and when they leave, the rest of the group suffers because they have no idea of what to do. This was what happened with the children of Israel, they started to follow and worship another god, the God of gold. The LORD wanted the Israelites to believe in him, and since they started to follow the God of Gold, he sent back Moses with his commandments and shone his face up so that all the Israelites would follow him and not the other god. "And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai." (34; 32) God can accomplish all that he wants, one way or another, difficult situations may occur to his followers, but everything will somehow get better.

Obey With No Problems

Everything the LORD says will always happen, but the people around him, his followers will never have problems if they listen to their orders. When the LORD sent them food, they would have plenty for all, and they would never starve if they listened to Moses orders given by the LORD. "And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating."(16;18) Even with hard situations, the LORD sent some help, and many people still didn't believe that the LORD would help them. In many occasions they tried to challenge him, but in different ways, the LORD would send some help.

Moses was very obedient, and he not only obeyed the LORD's orders, but other people's orders as well. When his father in law went to see if everything about the LORD and the way the Israelites were living he convinced Moses what he had been doing was wrong and too much for him, and told him how to change, he did. Not knowing if that was true or not, he changed his way of having order with the Children of Israel. "So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said."(18; 24) He was very naïve, and that was what led him to take most of the decisions, good or bad he took. When people do things as everyone tells them to, they could do some things that could harm the people, mainly if it's in this time period, where people are seeking for violence and negative acts.

God's commandments and will where heard by the Israelites, even though some were a little hard to accomplish, they all had severe consequences if not obeyed. It's incredible how much time has passed and these commandments are still followed, or people try to obey them. Still in chapter 21 lines 23-25, it says "And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." This is something I consider violent, and it was not only stated in the Exodus, but also in Hammurabi's Code, which is now considered brutal.

Slavery Will Never End

God wanted to free the Israelites from the Egyptians, but as you know, he used Moses for this purpose. God could trust on Moses to do obey to any of his orders, therefore he sent him to talk with Pharaoh. You may see this as the slaves being the Israelites and the Egyptians being their owners, which seems true. Egyptians didn´t allow the Israelites to do anything without their permission. Moses had to ask permission to Pharaoh to let them go out of Egypt. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me." (8; 1) The Pharaohs actions led to the nine plagues, and after a hard fight Moses finally had the Israelites free. In the case of slaves it was more complicated because they didn't have any one to argue for them that would bring their owners a consequence, instead the Israelites had the LORD "And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God."(8; 10)

The Jews celebrate Passover every year, this event started since the Israelites were freed from the Egyptians. It is an event to thank the LORD of freeing them from the Egyptians, it was a moment of joy that they weren't owned by some other culture. And as a way of thanking the LORD, they celebrate Passover, "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover." (12; 11) It was a time to go back and be thankful for the LORD's actions in their favor, trying to help them. "And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies." (12; 51) Jews are very grateful for the freedom the LORD gave them, not being under the reign of the Egyptians, the Pharaoh , and not being in their lands.

Use Of Rhetoric

In October 7, 2008, there was a Presidential Debate, let's see how both of the candidates use rhetoric.

Senator Obama

Present- "I think everybody knows now we are in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression."

Past- "And I believe this is a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years, strongly promoted by President Bush and supported by Senator McCain"

Future- "The Treasury should demand that money back and those executives should be fired."

Senator Mc Cain

Present- "Americans are angry, they're upset, and they're a little fearful. It's our job to fix the problem."

Future- "Now, I have a plan to fix this problem and it has got to do with energy independence."

"I would order the secretary of the treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes -- at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those -- be able to make those payments and stay in their homes. "

Past-"Do you know that we've laid a $10 trillion debt on these young Americans who are here with us tonight, $500 billion of it we owe to China?"

Racism Changes Culture

In Egypt, there were two main races, the Egyptians, and the children of Israel. They were very selfish, especially the Egyptians against the Israelites, this included the children too. "And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live."(ch1 line16) you can see that the Egyptians didn't want male Israelites to be in their lands because they thought they might fight them back in revenge for their slavery. Moses wanted to help the people, but he didn´t actually know how to it, but with the help of the LORD he was able to have more confidence to stand up to the Pharaoh. Having more confidence on his actions being backed up by the Lord "And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:" (Ch 4 line 22) you can notice that the LORD was always on Moses side helping and supporting him.

This may also be seen as the guerrilla in Colombia, many people are against it and the hostages will almost never lose their courage and their will to have freedom. Many people have tried different ways to let some people free, but there are still many people as captives, but hopefully they'll be free in a near future. There is always a person that wants freedom, in Colombia many people want it, but mainly the ones that have passed through similar situations. These people are the most encouraged one to keep on searching for freedom, and they never lose faith that they will accomplish their goal. In Exodus, Moses is one of the persons that wants freedom to the Israelites, he had also been in a similar situation, therefore he wanted the others to be free as he was. He had the LORDs support to do what he wanted, and even if he was afraid of the Pharaoh's attitude towards him, the LORD always pushed him to keep on doing it. "Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land."(Ch 6 line 11) even if he didn´t want to do it, he never lost his faith that he was going to be able to have the Israelites out of Egypt, and that was one of the reasons he kept on doing what the LORD told him to.

Following is Always Better

Orders are most of the time given to have a positive impact on something if they are followed correctly, if they aren't they will have a negative effect. In Genesis you see this frequently, Abram or later Abraham is a great follower of the Lord's orders and therefore he gets what he usually wants. "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things."(Ch 24 line 1) here it states that Abraham had received everything he pleased, but it wasn't as simple as just wishing it, he had to obey the LORD's orders. Many people think that by doing something similar to what they were told to, everything is alright, but if they miss something what had to be done was never completed well. And if they do something prohibited like Eve eating the prohibited fruit, everything could change. Disobeying orders can change drastically the future of a place, community, person, etc, in chapter nineteen, line 26 it says "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." For disobeying her husband's order of not turning back, her future was turned as no one expected: a pillar of salt.

Respect is a great quality people should always have towards others, as it is very important that people accept others and differences. Abraham had a lot of respect to the Lord and respect leads to more confidence with the other person. "And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD."(Ch18 line22) With the confidence Lord had on Abraham he ordered him to do many things he couldn't trust on anyone else, and as Abraham respected the Lord so much, he never failed on any instruction the Lord gave him.

A Perfect Jigsaw

At the beginning of chapter ten, appears the Lord. As we said in class today, the Lord is a different person than God, and Lord God. And as my group said, we believe that Lord is the ruler of man after they have disobeyed Lord God´s orders. You can notice this and that gods have their preferences with some people that they know will be good followers. "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar" (ch.13 line 10) you can notice the preference the Lord has for Abram, and the hate he had for Lot. It could be that he thought Abram would obey evrything, and might be great following hat is correct.

Many people believe that Lord, Lord God, and God are the same character and they don't actually care taking the time to think about it. Abram also believed this, "And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,"(ch14 line22). Here he mentions that Lord is the most important God, seeming as if he had no idea that God had created Earth, and Lord God had ruled over Eden. And most of all, they didn´t even bothered about doing the right or wrong things according to the gods, as we saw in the story of Adam and Eve eating the prohibited fruit.

In chapter sixteen, Hagar runs away, the Lord tells her many things of how her future will be. One of the things he told her was, "And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction."(ch16 line11) One of the things that caught my attention was that it mentioned the name Ishmael, and I was wondering if Quinn based the title of his book through this particular name. I think this might be possible as Ishmael is trying to help his pupil understand the world better.

Transcending Art

Michael Angelo cried in desperation,

What shall I paint in this beautiful ceiling?

He cried, "The Creation."

He told the Medicis this was a wonderful feeling.

This will be a great work of art,

And it will remain after I depart.

Since Our Childhood

Since I was small, my family always told me stories of the creation of man and the stories I've just read. It is fascinating all the details I had missed, and the different ideas I have from my childhood and now. Concepts are understood differently according if you are listening or reading them, and that was one of the things that impacted me more, I got a totally different idea of what I had a few years ago. Even though I recognize the same points of the stories, I now have a completely different interpretation. When I was younger, I just believed everything told was wonderful and that Adam and Eve had done a mistake, but nothing else. And with Noah, I thought it was a fantastic idea to have all the animals in the ark.

From the story of Adam and Eve in Eden, I think people are usually too intrigued with what is prohibited. You might recall this to Pandora's Box, when people are interested in something forbidden, and the do it, many bad things can occur. With one simple situation, the rest might change in a significant manner, in this case negative. "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."(ch3. Line 16) This was one of the consequences that had to be faced upon others and not only to Eve, but the serpent and Adam also had consequences that civilization has had to face. After facing the consequences, God still had hope, as in Pandora's Box, he had hope with Noah.

This story was a very important one, as this one describes the hope that God had on Noah. He was sure that Noah would give him a great satisfaction with his request. Noah was a god follower and obeyed everything that he was asked to do. He was the only hope that God had to try to make Earth a better place to live. Without so many people that want to be equal with the gods, and want to know everything. It's very important that humans didn't have the opportunity of achieving this, because if they knew everything, life would have no purpose, it would be perfect. Many people would argue that a perfect civilization would be great, but I consider that you should always try to improve and mistakes are great part of our lives.

The Creation as Told by Genesis

This is my interpretation of the first two sections of Genesis.

No One Gets Credits

King James didn´t have good experiences with the translators of the Bible, he wasn´t able to pay them their salaries as he was supposed to. He spent much of the money Cecil got on the Translators, but he got the rest for him. There were many problems between King James and the translators, and the translators had trouble surviving with this small salary that was given to them after a long time without any salary. They had to do other things to carry on, and weren't able to keep up with the translation on time. "But money was tight. By the end of the decade, royal finances were nowhere near capable of paying for the project."(pg199)

One of the translators, Bois was a very intelligent person and since small had a great influence of his family for the Bible and for Latin and Greek. From these likes he had acquired, he became a very important part of the community, and especially for the translator. His likes for the languages, gave him a great facility for the translation, and from the time given, he finished very early. He was always willing to keep learning, and he helped everyone finish their translations on time, and that they were easier for everyone to understand. "It took up its life in a new and distinct dimension of linguistic space, somewhere between English and Greek."(pg.211) there were many discussions between other translators and they all thought they were right, but they ended up finding the easiest word or phrases that fit the text accordingly. When Bios was sick, he had finished translating some work. One of the other translators, Savile was working with him and he received all the credit for something he didn't do for himself. "He was never famous, even at the time, because as Walker said, Savile took all the credit for the Chrysostom and the five years Bois had spent on the translation "makes no noyse, because it carries no name."(pg215) Many people are jealous of others work, and they take advantage of the situations and try to get credit of other people works.

Beliefs Change the Culture

Today societies are accepting much more people's differences and beliefs, but in the XVII century, people just accepted the one "right" way to live according to the church and political opinion. People weren't free to take their own decision that might influence the society in any matter. King James was intrigued with correct language usage, and gave very strict orders of how to translate the Bible. "The words of the Bible should compe." (pg. 183) This was something that wasn't done frequently because people just did it one way that wasn't as complicated and as unambiguously as King James wanted the translation to be done. You could see that period of time as a communist country today, people are just accepted if they live accordingly to the president's actions and wills. People are just able to follow one regiment, and if they don't follow it, they will get in serious trouble. And if people want to leave, they have to pass by many problems before being able to leave. This is very similar to what happened in England, they wanted to leave in search of religious freedom. And in that, they were able to leave and met their wish, after confronting many problems with the society.

Many translations of the Bible have been made, and they have contradictions of what other translators have said (pg.195). This demonstrates that every translator has a different style of expressing the same text in different languages. "This atmosphere of holiness is made to reside in the strange, formal, ritualistic language of the seventeenth-century Bible."(pg.196) you can see that even though the translations use different language and writing styles they all try to keep the same basic idea of the text and somehow try to involve some historical context within the translation. I find this very important because what matters in this sort of text, is the significance, and not the style, and it's also very important to be able to keep some details to add a more thorough idea.

Spelling Excersises

Adolescent Student One
In dealing with students on the high-school level - that is, the second, third, and fourth year of high school - we must bear in mind that to some degree they are at a difficult psychological stage, generally called adolescence. Students at this level are likely to be confused mentally, to be subject to involuntary distractions and romantic dreaminess. They are basically timid or self-conscious, they lack frankness and are usually very sensitive but hate to admit it. They are motivated either by great ambition, probably out of all proportion to their capabilities, or by extreme laziness caused by the fear of not succeeding or attaining their objectives. Fundamentally they want to be kept busy but they refuse to admit it. They are frequently the victims of earlier poor training, and this makes every effort doubly hard. They are usually willing to work, but they hate to work without obtaining the results they think they should obtain. Their critical faculties are beginning to develop and they are critical of their instructors and of the materials they are given to learn. They are beginning to feel the pressure of time; and although they seldom say so, they really want to be consulted and given an opportunity to direct their own affairs, but they need considerable guidance.

A Date Can Change a Life

"The fifth of November became the day, far more than any anniversary of the Armada, on which God had saved the Protestant England from the forces of darkness."(pg.110) as in most time periods there is always a specific time that will be marked for a long time in history, which will have an effect in the culture. As the text mentions, in England this date was November 5^th, 1606, a time where religions protested against each other. It was a terrible time for segregation between ethnic groups, and people weren't tolerant with other people from different cultures and backgrounds.(ch.6) This was not only seen back then, but also today where many people just accept people from their own culture. This mainly happens when people from other religions or cultures try joining another one. This is not seen so frequently, but it happens, and also people don't speak about these types of situations. As this occurs, many people are not as conscious about this as they were in that time. In a way people will be affected by these types of situations and it will impact the history of the country. It will also change people's beliefs, as it might also fortify them in some ways. These sort of events will always have an impact on the people and the history of a culture, even if people don't want these things to happen.

An Introduction Is a Whole

In the time period the translation was made, the power influenced by the people made a great political pressure that would persuade the author to make it a very big part of their image. The epoch of this translation was a very defiant one, and the power wasn't well distributed between the church and the government. This was a very complicated time for England and its people. Another big influence was the fight between people for their different opinions of the monarchy and the political power. (preface)The authors of The Bible were influenced by their peers, but they still had their own perspective of life and had their opinions intact. As they thought in a similar way they didn't actually wanted to gain attention, but they wanted their thoughts to be written in a universal text as it's the Bible, they don't want to change their language or their style. "Their subject was neither ancient nor modern, but both or either. It was the universal text."(pg. xii) I really like the idea of not changing their style and beliefs because of the influences, but having their own thoughts and being firm with them.

History Has Many Stages

Most of the texts have a historical influence and are written according to the epoch they are written in. This text could be one of the biggest influences for the King James Bible, as it talks about King James influences before and while being King. That historical moment was very violent and as told in the text, it was a terrible time where people didn't really liked their monarchy. It was also very socially classified and people were treated according to their social strata "social differences between men were not an unfortunate result of economics or power politics, nor a distortion of how things ought to be but a sign that society was well ordered."(pg.16) here you can actually realize that people didn't really noticed the effect that social differences can have on other people and this might have been a vast influence on King James. I can surely say that having some knowledge of the historical background of the translator of The Bible will help me see the text with a different perspective on the language or some themes that I might happen to come along with. I am questioning if the text will actually have some comments on King James life or life in England during his reign.

Don’t Escape

Humans usually don't want to lose their couple especially when they haven't been together for long. A couple is meant to last long and to accomplish the mission they have mutually. Many people believe that when a couple doesn't last it's because there wasn't a true love, but that's not necessarily true. In the case of Orpheus and Eurydice many people would consider what Orpheus did something useless, but it was an example of how profound he really loved Eurydice. As in most situations there are some challenges they have to face, they will overcome them or not. They also have to be able to follow instructions according to their will, and confront the consequences of their actions. This is a very important part because events might occur once, but they are very difficult to make them repeat. This was what occurred between this couple, but at the end after facing some of these difficult situations, they end up achieving their first goal: being together as a lovely couple. "They roam the happy fields together now, sometimes he leading, sometimes she; and Orpheus gazes as much as he will upon her, no longer incurring a penalty for a thoughtless glance." In this quote you can see what a wonderful time they are having now, after having so many hard situations in between them.

Clichés

Movie titles

• ·       Gone With the Wind
  
• ·       The Lost Weekend
  
• ·       Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
  
• ·       The Asphalt Jungle
  
• ·       The Awful Truth
  

Plot-lines

• ·       In princess movies, the princess is willing to find a perfect man, she ends marrying Prince Charming.
  
• ·       In many soap operas, the husband leaves the wife because he’s having an affair with the secretary.
  
• ·       In some cases when a person has amnesia, character forgets where he lives, and therefore gets home after a long time.
  
• ·       In medical documentations, there’s a whole drama on trying to find the disease and two minutes before it ends, they discover what the disease was.
  
• ·       People are usually looking for the treasure at the end of the rainbow, as the near the end, the end is further away.
  

Words That Sound Alike Practice

1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we're going to be late.

2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.

3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscious, Selma was seized with an attack of conscience-- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?

4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.

5. Have you seen their coats? They're going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.

6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's concept of the ideal society in Utopia.

7. Even though Bob would rather play video games than study, he decided to hit the books and then play some Halo.

8. It's easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating its signs and window displays.

9. You're fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.

10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal advice about how to handle this situation.

Memories Are For Ever

Most of the people might believe weddings are a marvelous time in people's life, well this is not true. Perseus was hoping this would be true, but unfortunately this wasn't met. As a cause of Phineus apparition, the wedding had a terrible outcome, he also loved Andromeda. People do many things in order to be with the person they love, they don't measure the consequences of their actions. "I will make my enemy defend me." The one that is in trouble will look for a solution, this was Perseus' solution, and many would think it's impossible. From past events he had an advantage that was the head of the Gorgon, which turned everyone who saw it into stone.

From a discussion between two people, it ended involving all of the people invited to the wedding. Events involving small number of people eventually might have many more members. People are easily attracted to new things and ideas and most of the time they join groups or events. After most people actually realize the consequences of joining that group weren't as everyone expected, sometimes they are positive, and others are negative. The enemy, Phineus, wanted to surrender, but Perseus didn't allow him to do so. Everyone has to go through the consequences of others actions, specially the person that was the cause of the fight. Good or bad memories that have an impact on the person will never be forgotten. Some people also like to conserve material objects to have a part of an act that impacted you. "Thus much I will grant you; no weapon shall touch you; moreover, you shall be preserved in my house as a memorial of these events." Perseus had the memory of the disastrous wedding by having Phineus in stone in his house. Acts don't always finish as they are likely to do so, in the case of the wedding, it was a terrible and unimaginable ending.

Pre AP/AP Student Contract

I, Luisa Gonzalez__, hereby understand and will abide by the Pre-AP/AP
Academy's expectations, obligations, and admission/drop policy outlined below with respect to my admission status and standing in the Pre-AP/AP Course, Pre-AP English 9.
Pre-AP/AP Academy Expectations;
• Maintain Acceptable GPA,
• Motivated and Positive,
• Responsible and Dedicated Work Ethic,
• Attend Opportunity Day and/or Additional Review Classes,
• Complete AP College Board Exam,
• Sign Pre-AP/AP Student Contract.

Pre-AP/AP Academy Admission/Drop Policy;
• First Progress Report with Teacher's Signed Approval…receive no course credit,
• End of First Semester with Teacher's Signed Approval…receive only partial course credit for grade of 6.0+. No partial credit will be awarded for any grade below 6.0,
• Students who Drop Pre-AP/AP Courses or who Do Not take the College Board AP Exam will have the Pre-AP/AP Designation for that course removed from their transcript and they will not receive any grade or GPA enhancement awarded for taking that Pre-AP/AP course.

Please note that at any time during the school year if the teacher deems that you are not meeting the expectations above for any or all reasons, then that teacher will require that you sign an additional academic probation contract. Your admission status and/or removal from the above identified Pre-AP Course will then be re-assessed based on your abiding by the academic probation contract signed and agreed to by you and the respective Pre-AP/AP Teacher.

Student Signature of Agreement,

_Luisa Gonzalez_Date: ___September 23, 2008_

Everything According to Destiny

In ancient Greece, many of the stories came into being according to the oracles, people believed in everything they were told by fortune-tellers or prophets. Still, many people believe in it, but people don't live their lives expecting everything to happen as they told it. Many people think that events that were told by fortune-tellers and that actually happen are just a coincidence. In Ancient Greece, people believed deeply

In Perseus and Atlas, King Atlas lives according to the destiny that a prophecy had told "But Atlas remembered that an ancient prophecy had warned him that a son of Jove should one day rob him of his golden apples." You can see that this is based on the "destiny" that was to be part of the land. No one really wants to be part of a negative aspect of destiny they will always try to avoid it. The destiny said by the prophecy will be met one way or another not taking into consideration that some minimal details that might change. This was why the end of this myth meets the destiny proposed by the prophecy, in a very improbable way that people would consider. At first glance, people usually think there's really one way of accomplishing things, they never consider the most improbable way.

Love at First Thought

In wars most of the time, families of both sides are enemies, but the situation between Nisus, Scylla, and Minos was different. Scylla was just a girl that didn't know much for that time, and didn't mind about anyone else's opinion, she was a spoil girl. When people are spoiled they don't care about others opinions or reactions to their own actions, they just think about themselves. Scylla never thinks of the impacts her actions might have, "Minos shrunk back and refused to touch it." She could never accomplish what she really wanted, for she wanted to be with Minos, also she wanted to end the war in this way. Her actions had opposite consequences. She didn't get anything of what was expected and the effects were worse. You should never take action without imagining what might occur.

As in other myths, the characters transform to make part of nature, in Nisus and Scylla this also happens. At first Nisus becomes a Sea Eagle, as an outcome of not having the purple lock. It could be representing that humans need something to make them be in a different state of being, in this case as a human. Scylla also suffered that transition of a human to a bird. She now has to face the consequences of her own actions. People should be more cautious of their actions and try not to be selfish so that their actions will have some positive impact in others lives.

Nothing Can Stop Them

As mentioned in other posts before, most of the myths describe love in different ways, this one does it as well. This one describes mainly all the things people sacrifice to have a good relationship. This is a tragedy, where Pyramus and Thisbe have to overcome situations just to be together, even if their family doesn't want them together. It shows how most of the time they are thinking when and where to meet, where no one will know about their relationship, they are trying different things seeking for a better future with no inconveniences. "Thisbe fled at the sight, and sought refuge in the hollow of a rock." this demonstrate that people are capable of risking themselves for anything they want to do. When they are just living for the other as this couple was, they preferred dying than living without the other. It ends as most tragedies do, the kill themselves for their mutual love.

Many people think that the only way to get rid of their disillusion is by death, but that's not the way you should confront these episodes. You should always seek positive things out of the negatives, you might find another person, or activity that you will enjoy as much as you did with the other person. You could also find many positive activities or people that may help you overcome problems, but still you wouldn't forget sad moments, but you should always try to be optimistic, this is what keeps life going.

Not Everyone Has the Same Fortune

Most of the people that have money are rarely conscious of people that have less than them. Instead people that have less are most likely to share the few things that they have with others. As you can notice from Baucis and Philemon they don't need to show off what they have and are very proud of their possessions. The people that have been helped by these people are gratified by their actions and will do almost anything to help them as well. "While they gazed with wonder at the sight, and lamented the fate of their neighbors, that old house of theirs was changed into a temple." This was one of the things the couple received from their act of generosity.

People should learn from this myth not only to be generous, but also that love lasts forever. This couple was one that had an excellent relationship, they learned how to accept each other's defects and qualities. They learned how to overcome difficult situations and not to mind their economical position in their society. They decided to ask the gods to die at the same time and to be forever together, this was accomplished. You can most likely achieve what you want when you really want it. They were forever together not as humans, but as trees. Trees can be considered as symbols of eternity, as you can also see them in the myth of Apollo and Daphne and most of the myths that talk about the Dryads. Trees can survive for many years as long as humans don't keep destroying them, and they will always be in hard situations, but they will make it through them.

Same Love

Many things we hear now days have a great antecedent, I have just heard one I would've never imagined: echo. As the fights between goddesses and nymphs create exciting conflicts, this one made one people will know about forever, maybe not the myth, but definitely the word. Narcissus a very handsome man had all the nymphs attracted to him, but he never paid close attention to them. As you might know, women will always follow the person they like, but in some cases they cause problems. Echo is important because not only she was too talkative, but because of this she wasn't able to talk on her own, she could just repeat what she heard. "The maid answered with all her heart in the same words." When you have qualities that are too exaggerated, they can become a great defect that others will notice instantly and will mostly dislike it.

In terms of Narcissus, he was young man that didn't follow his lovers, but that he didn't actually mind what was surrounding him. He becomes a very egocentric person when he actually saw the one person he loved. You can follow your love, but should never be dissatisfied with what you receive. "As he saw it depart, he exclaimed, "Stay, I entreat you! Let me at least gaze upon you, if I may not touch you." As people start noticing that they don't get what they want, they get disappointed and end up in terrible acts, as it occurred to Narcissus, he killed himself. In life people to should be more open to acts that don't necessarily meet their expectations, they should be less egocentric.

Eternal Love

The story of Apollo and Daphne is a myth that has a very good message; it is that love will never end. Whether you believe in Cupid or not, this myth has a belief in Cupid, and is trying to tell that bows are not only used in wars, but also for love. I really liked this myth because I enjoy having another perspective of what love looks like.

This myth has a very nice thing that it's that even though Daphne doesn't really want to be with Apollo, he will do the impossible to be with her. "Since you cannot be my wife," said he, "you shall assuredly be my tree." this quotation can represent that after all the efforts Apollo did to get her, she turns to be something else to avoid him. Love will never perish in the heart of Apollo, and therefore declares Laurel tree his. You can always see this myth to get a different view of love especially if someone is running away from you; you can follow your love until you realize your desires. You should also have to understand some variables that might affect your partner's decision, even if you don't agree, you have to accept and learn how to live with it. In this myth Daphne lived being a tree, and Apollo loving the tree, they both lived accepting each other's condition.

I started reading Chapter 22, as I read, I started not knowing what was happening. As I kept on reading, I was confused with what was occurring, even though it helped me a lot to be able to see who each character was. Pan a known god, many people believe he's a very important character and they are very fond of him, "Pan came to be considered a symbol of the universe and personification of Nature". Another character is Erisichthon; he starts the whole drama of the Dryads. As the second section of this chapter tells, the tree is falling down, and the Dryads complain about it. This tree was a symbol of life for the nymphs, and as it's falling down, they feel they are gone too. The Dryads were conscious of what was happening and as soon as the tree fell, they would also perish, but Rhœcus saved their lives. There are people who know how and when to help others, and in this case he helped the Dryads.

The Dryads as there life goes disappearing, they also start changing, as this is a myth, they change into fountains. As most myths everyone knows each other, and in this specific one the winds are having affairs with Dryads, this is something you would usually never imagine, but anything can actually happen, at least in myths.

Finally It’s Over

This Tablet has a very different start from the rest of the text, as the other Tablets continue narrating the story, this Tablet starts from another point where the reader is not very conscious of what is going on. Gilgamesh's drum hadn't been mentioned in the text, and at this final point it has a very important position, as it is what actually helps Gilgamesh and Enkidu get in touch. The drum is an important piece that is very valuable to Gilgamesh and the meaning of it is that it's one of the only opportunities he has to make Enkidu help him from the Nether World.

Gilgamesh is startled with the concept of death, and with the occasion of being able to know some facts of what happens to the dead people he doesn't waste the small amount of time with Enkidu. As Gilgamesh convinces Ea to bring Enkidu back with his drum, he takes advantage of his knowledge of the Nether World and asks many questions about what might happen to him if he ever dies. This last Tablet concludes very well the story, but I still have a small doubt, What happened to Gilgamesh after, did he finally die or was he accepted into the god community?

Nature and Gilgamesh

In Gilgamesh, both Enkidu and Gilgamesh have many interactions with nature, starting where Enkidu was born in the wild. As this text was written many centuries ago, most of the story has a relationship with nature, and fewer relationships with civilization, other than with gods. At the beginning Enkidu has more interactions than Gilgamesh, but as the story goes on, Gilgamesh starts interacting more with nature. There are certain parts that make the reader be very clear about human's relationship with nature.

When they started out their first journey together to the Cedar forest, that was consider the first interaction they both had together with nature. At this point, they both were Takers and wanted to have control over the forest. When they killed Huwawa, the guardian of the forest, it just meant that humans had control over the forest, "Enkidu steered the raft and Gilgamesh carried the head of Huwawa, the guardian of the Forest."(pg.28), when they showed the head of Huwawa, they were going to be remembered for their courage. When Enkidu died, was another part of interaction with nature, people die and their friends grieve, this same thing happened with these two companions. Gilgamesh's interaction with nature was mainly after Enkidu died, he went through the "Cavern of the Earth" this place was very dark and Gilgamesh had to go through this place to be able to get to Utnapishtim, the man that was part of the god community. When he got there the only thing Gilgamesh wanted to know was how to escape from death, something that was probably going to happen to him. this long journey to get there was a challenge for him, it is a very complicated pass way that humans couldn't do, but once again, humans started proving that they can accomplish many difficult things that gods thought humans couldn't do.

Will He Live For Ever?

As these Tablets starts, Gilgamesh has found people he think might help him get to Utnapishtim. He thinks he will get the force of becoming a god in a very short time, he's just afraid of death, and what could happen with you after your death. He started becoming conscious about this since Enkidu died and he saw the worm going out of his nose. When he had the opportunity of meeting with Utnapishtim, he just told him the story of how he had become a member of the gods' society; it is almost the same story of Noah's Arch. It's a very strange way of comparing how one became a god with this story because this might be compared to stories trying to answer the QUESTions in other contexts.

When Utnapishtim tells his story, he tries to make it clear that things occur how they are supposed to happen according to the gods and person's accomplishments, not on people's desire. "Tell me, who would bring all the gods together so that for you the might in council decide what your deserving is, that you be granted into the company of gods?"(pg.75) Through this quotation you can easily notice what was mentioned before that you don't decide on your future, but the gods opinion will affect anything that happens to you. You also have to be patient and not expect everything to happen at the time you want, but at the time that the gods consider it necessary. If Gilgamesh keeps following what Utnapishtim tells him, will Gilgamesh ever be approved into the company of gods, or will he die before this happens?

Commas Excercise #3

1. The problems involved in this operation ,are I think, numerous.

2. Celene, who does not usually tell anyone what she feels, said she didn't want to go to the dance.

3. To get tickets for some Broadway musicals, one has to order three months in advance.

4. Listening to the radio, Jun heard an announcement that Spangler, his own dog, was lost.

5. I used to live at 16689 Sutton Avenue, Milpitas, California, but we have since moved to 1895 Holland Way, Dubuque, Iowa.

6. The Valley of the Moon, the name of a section in Napa County, California, is the heart of the state's wine producing area.

7. Chris did not see how he could organize, write, and proofread this paper in only two hours.

8. By the pilings of the old pier, I found four starfish, a clam, and a sea anemone.

9. Yes, Helen did mention that all three of you were coming for lunch.

10. I relieve, therefore, that fraternities are good influences on a college campus.

Is This the Paradise?

One of the questions I had from the Tablets before was: will Enkidu die? Well this question was answered at the beginning of Tablet VIII, he did surrender and died. This was a very sad moment for Gilgamesh he has no companion now. To honor him and to show people how much Enkidu had helped him he made statues and made offerings, he made most of this because he felt alone, he had become very dependent on Enkidu, and he is now going to start confronting the consequences.

Gilgamesh decides to go to a mountain everyone's scared of, he wants to take this challenge and be able to talk with the god. As he starts walking alone in darkness, he feels that he needs someone to help encourage him and never let him down. He realizes how important it really is to have companions that are willing to help you any moment. He still tries very hard to keep on and make his goal of talking with the god, but has a very difficult time. It is very important to feel confident of yourself, but you should also have a friend/companion that will always help you. If that person is not with you, you might feel you're not complete you are still missing a part of you that you need to keep up with your life.

Some questions I had at the end of these Tablets were: what was it actually that Gilgamesh found? What will he talk about with the gods? How long will he be there?

Comma Exercise # 1

C. He left the scene of the accident and tried to forget that it had happened.

3. Oil which, is lighter than water, rises to the surface.
6. Madame de Stael was an attractive, gracious lady.

1. Nice is a word with many meanings ,and some of them are contradictory.

C. The contractor testified that the house was completed and that the work had 
been done properly.

C.Some people refuse to go to the zoo because of pity for creatures that must 
live in small cages.

5. Taxicabs that are dirty, are illegal in some cities.

5. The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes, and dirty hats.

C. The uninvited guest wore a dark blue tweed suit.

2. After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved.

3-prase. Mark Twain's early novels, I believe stand the test of time.

9. December 7, 1941, will never be forgotten.

7. The field was safe enough, wasn't it?

9. Write the editor of the Atlantic 8, Arlington Street, Boston, Massachusetts,
02116.

2. He replied, "I have no idea what you mean."

2. After a good washing and grooming, the pup looked like a new dog.

2. Because of their opposition to institutions, that force creatures to live in 
captivity, some people refuse to go to the zoo.

C. Men who are bald are frequently the ones who are the most authoritative on 
the subject of baldness.

2. Vests which were once popular, have been out of vogue for several years.

2. As a celestial goddess, she regulated the course of the heavenly bodies and 
controlled the alternating seasons.

C. I hope that someday he will learn how to be polite.

Using Commas Exercise #2

1. There was no question that John's painting, a huge colorful and ugly mural, was the worst entry in the art exhibit.

2. Werner von Braun, Willy Ley, and Edward Teller noted authorities in the field of rocket development, have done much to guide the missile program of the United States.

3. Mr. Cready's ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time is, I believe amazing.

4. Running around the house, the dog was abruptly stopped by a fence.

5. If the opposition should win, our candidate would never have any political future.

6. Gracefully, lightly, and daintily the ballerina moved across the stage.

7. Glamour, the woman's fashion magazine recently incorporated with Charmanother fashion journal.

8. Joe was born on May 7, 1955 and his best friend was born exactly two months later on July 7, 1955.

9. Mr. and Mrs. Kwon, my parents' best friends, sat in front of us at the football game.

10. November 11, 1918 the armistice ending World War I was signed.