So.....this is awkward

Bloggers, readers, and other freshman forced to update these blogs every week,

I am not very good at sticking to a schedule. You see, back when I had English class every day for the first two trimesters, it was fairly easy to remember to blog and put effort into understanding and analyzing, and in turn presenting the information that came to me through the well thought out scribbles of the English language bound within the pages of a book....

Ah, who am I kidding? Am I right?

Well I would like to say that I am one of those overachieving freshmen who decided to put all of their free time into this blog (even after English was over...). Okay that came out wrong. And it didn't sound very good either....

RESTART:

Alright, fellow students, my time in freshman English is over and I have to admit I do miss it a lot. So, on behalf of my amazing English teachers, I would like to continue blogging. Even though nobody will be grading it (or reading it?).

But why?

Well....I hadn't thought that through completely. After all, it HAS been 5 weeks without a blog, but I think blogging will help me to get back into my reading. 'Cause let's be honest here, who reads in their free time anyways? Ha. It's another lame joke about teenagers and their life consumed by video games and texting and shopping and really good snack foods and hanging out with friends and listening to music and failing to cram information into our heads before a really big test and the snack food.... Did I mention texting....?

Okay, humor isn't always a strength for me.

To conclude this post I would actually like to say something about reading: I am going to start reading Matched. Hopefully it's as good as everybody says it is.

Until we meet again,

Georgia

Blog Reflection

WARNING: The Post Below Is Not Exceptionally Amazing, But Rather An Extraordinarily Normal High School Reflection (I think...)

If you wish for any of this to make sense, scroll down a little and read the short little post called "And Everybody Knows" and this may still not make sense, but at least you did some reading and got some background information.

Proceed With Caution

Note: The font is wacky and messed up, but it's ok.

In the above post, I incorporated a distinct writing voice unique to my personality. Specific words and phrases that I use throughout the blog include, “So, readers, keep reading! I’ll see you a few pages later,” and “You know, the kind of day where something keeps coming up in your mind and you feel so embarrassed about it?” These showcase my voice because I speak directly to the reader and involve them by directly stating or asking something. Another way that I use my writer’s voice is when I say, “And you think everybody knows. Oh, sorry, scratch that. You just KNOW that EVERYBODY knows.” I think this phrase really shows my sarcastic side and demonstrates the understanding of the ability to relate to the reader. I mean, after all, who hasn’t felt like something was written on their forehead? Overall, I feel like my voice has developed a lot throughout the trimester and I think I have done a good job of showcasing in the above post.

In terms of diction and syntax, I can’t say that I used a bunch of amazing advanced variations of the two in the post that I decided to use because that wasn’t the intention of the post. I wanted any reader to be able to relate, and I wanted it to flow like a conversation (No, these techniques weren’t absent, they just weren’t as intense). However, I can say that my post was filled with informal diction. I have found, over the years, that I am more likely to read (and enjoy) something conversational rather than professional. The use of large words makes me feel small, so I used some smaller words to describe some bigger concepts, in the hopes of engaging and entertaining the reader. Specifically I do this when I ask, “Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of where something keeps coming up into your mind and you feel so embarrassed about it?  And you think everybody knows. Oh, sorry, scratch that. You just KNOW that EVERYBODY knows.” This is informal diction because I correct myself through the words of the post, allowing the reader to relate, and ask questions in a conversational manner.

As far as syntax goes, I think I did a good job of using a variety of sentence lengths and punctuation. I asked questions, made statements, and exclaimed information. An example of the statement includes, “Craig feels like that. The idea of him being locked inside a place that didn't even seem like real life is finally sinking in. And the fact that everybody knows he has an ‘issue,’”. This statement is simple, but allows the reader to grasp the concept that I am trying to explain. I also use an exclamation when I say, “So, readers, keep reading! I'll see you a few pages later!” This shows the reader my excitement and enthusiasm. Lastly, I use varied sentence lengths in the piece. Specifically, it says, “Poor Craig. That's has to be really difficult. It amazes me to think that the author who wrote this book went through exactly what Craig is going through. It just makes me wonder how much strength a person has to have to get through it.” The short sentences prevent boredom in the reader and the longer sentences go on to explain some of the ideas presented within the short sentences.

"And Everybody Knows"

And  everybody knows.

And everybody knows.

AND EVERYBODY KNOWS.

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of where something keeps coming up into your mind and you feel so embarrassed about it? And you think everybody knows. Oh, sorry, scratch that. You just KNOW that EVERYBODY knows.

Craig feels like that. The idea of him being locked inside a place that didn't even seem like real life is finally sinking. And the fact that everybody knows he has an "issue." Poor Craig. That's has to be really difficult. It amazes me to think that the author who wrote this book went through exactly what Craig is going through. It just makes me wonder how much strength a person has to have to get through it.

I think the author did an amazing job using diction and syntax to create the feelings Craig was experiencing inside the reader. In the text it says, "I've sunk to the lowest place I can be...And everybody knows. I'm in a place where people have no teeth and eat liquid food. And everybody knows. I'm in a place where the guy I eat with lives in his car. And everybody knows." (Vizzini 258). The repeated phrase allows the reader to get inside the head of Craig and feel the feelings that he is experiencing.

So, readers, keep reading! I'll see you a few pages later!

Unwritten Etiquette

Craig Gilner. The boy who was brave and sensible enough to check himself into a mental hospital...which kind of contradicts itself, doesn't it? While Craig is inside the hospital called Six North, he decides a few things about the hospital. One,that he was locked up with a bunch of "crazies", two, that the hospital staff is insane for not having a bible in each hospital room, and three, that there are unspoken rules about being in a mental hospital.

Craig believes, like any other person, that there is etiquette that must be followed while residing in the hospital. The only major rule though, is not asking why they were there. What their story was. How they let themselves come to the breaking point. How they ruined their lives. Who claimed they were insane and put them in this prison? Craig explores this when he thinks, "I get the feeling-I don't know how I know the rules of metal-ward etiquette; maybe I was born with them; maybe I knew I'd end up here-but I get the feeling that one big no-no in this place is asking people how they got here," (Vizzini 198). I think I agree with Craig, I mean, would you want somebody asking you about every single detail of your life story?

But what if you are trying to help somebody? What if you think they need help, even if they don't quite know it yet?

Come to think of it, maybe there is an "invisible" line that you dare not cross in order to be considered NOT rude, or NOT mean, or NOT intruding in everyday life. So, readers, I encourage you to post your answers below about what the limit is in social conduct. Where do you draw the line?

The Code Language of Craig Gilner

On occasion, everybody has used some sort of code language in their life. For my sister and I, code was impliented at a young age to avoid eating vegetables and get them safely into the dog's awaiting mouth every night. Unfortunately, code lasted about 2 weeks, because, aparently, the words green and puppy came up at dinner a little too much and therefore would not remain secret (even though they were horribly easy to decode anyways). 

For Craig Gilner, code words are a little more serious than just avoiding eating his greens at dinner. No, for Craig, code words are essential for depicting his life to the multiple doctors, therapists, and psychologists he sees. You see, Craig suffers from depression which causes him to sleep all the time, not want to eat, and have negative, suicidal thoughts float through all of his tangled thoughts.

Note: When I read this book, seeing as though the author, Ned Vizzini, suffered from depression, it makes it all seem scary real. Yes, teenagers do go through this a lot, and by no means should anybody judge them. I could never even imagine myself going through this type of illness and Craig and the thousands of others should never have to go through it either. From the book, it is described as a constant struggle that takes all energy and more to fight back with.

Here are a list of the words that Craig uses to desribe his depression:

1) Tentacles- a term used to describe the difficulties in his life. The author writes, "Tentacles is my term-the Tentacles are the evil tasks that invade my life. Like, for example, my American History class last week..." (Vizzini, 14). Tentacles are not neccesarily the cause of Craig's depression, but the things in life that make it difficult for him.

2) Anchors- though Craig is going through a lot of negativity, there are good points in his life, which he cherishes and hopes for everyday. Craig describes them as, "The opposite of Tentacles are the Anchors. The Anchors are things that occupy my mind and make me feel good temporarly. Riding my bike is an Anchor. Doing flash cards is an Anchor. Watching people play video games is an Anchor. The answers are simplw and sequential. There aren't any decisions. There aren't any Tentacles" (Vizzini, 15). It seems as though Criag is dealing with depression because he doesn't like making decisions, which probably stress him out. However, Anchors don't solve his depression, they only distract him from it.

3) The Shift- the moment when Craig will be released from his depression and can go about his life as if it never happened. Basically, it is the moment where his depression will melt away, and the doctors will proclaim that he has been cured. Vizzini writes, "I'm waiting for her to say 'Craig, what you need to do is X' and for the Shift to occur. I want there to be a Shift so bad. I want to feel my brain slide backk into the slot it was meant to be in, rest there the way it did before the fallof last year, back when I was younf, and witty, and my teachers said I had incredible promis, and I spoke up in class..." (Vizzini, 17). Anybody who is depressed doesn't want to be that way, but it is difficult for them to get out of it.

Though not everybody uses code for the same reasons, it does play a large role in Craig's life. No, it may not be something you take seriously, but I assure you that for Craig, and probably lots of others, it is extremely important. So readers, what do you think about this post? It is kind of broken up and choppy, but I am sure that it all relates in some way.

Thanks for reading!

High Expectations

Being that I am the kind of person who will spend at least an hour preparing for a quiz, I can relate with a new character named Craig.

Oh, before I forget, I have a new book that I am reading and it is called, It's Kind Of A Funny Story. The book takes place in New York, where Craig lives.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the little summary I am going to give you:

Craig Gilner is the main character of my book, and at the end of eighth grade, he spent at least 22 hours preparing to get into one of the prestigious high schools in New York. This high school required that you take a test in order to see if you have the ability to keep up with the academic work and study.  Craig explains to the reader, "So this test-they named it the Bernard Lutz Philanthropic Exam, in honor of his philanthropicness-became fairly important in my life," (Vizzini, 50). He soon becomes so obbsessed with this test that he begins to neglect his friends, family, and even food, "It became more important than, uh, food, for instance," (Vizzini, 50). He wanted so badly to ace this test that he filled all of his free time with test prep and practice.

He had a strict routine that he always followed, "I'd come home with my heavy backpack and toss it on the bed and watch it bounce towards the pillows as I sat down in my chair and pulled out test-prep book," (Vizzini, 50). He would go on to finish all of his practice exams in the book, which took about 2 hours each. Then he went on a quest to find more test-prep books, "...after I did them all, I was thrilled to discover an ad at the back for twelve more Bernard Lutz test-prep books. I went to Barnes & Noble; they didn't have all of them in stock-they'd never had anyone ask for all of them-so they had to put in an order for me," (Vizzini, 50).

Now I know I am crazy when it comes to studying, but I think Craig is on the verge of what I call INSANE. But I have to hand it to him, that's real dedication. You can tell that Craig is really passionate about school work and would do anything to get into this school. I think it would be amazing if I studied like that....but I think I am okay where I'm at.

Thanks for reading!

An Unexpected Ending to a Satisfying Book

No. I did not see that coming.

That did not just happen.

*Dramatic sigh*

It's too much, the ending is too much.

I can't read on!!

And everybody keeps on reading. You would think by the way we talk about not wanting a book to end, nobody would ever finish a book. Everybody says they can't stand ending a book, they just can't do it. I am one of those readers. And then you have readers on the opposite side of the spectrum who jut want to figure out what REALLY happens instead of playing through multiple scenes in their head trying to find the perfect ending and not wanting the author to "mess it up". Hello, people! The author wrote the book, they kind of get a say in how it ends. Haha, I guess I am kind of talking to myself now, and giving myself advice....

But seriously, I would recommend this book to anybody (okay, just girls) because the main character is really relatable. This book is well-written and believable. I want to read it again (and I don't usually say that about books). It is funny, cute, witty, and inspiring. And though the ending was unexpected, I am glad that it was.

Anyways, I just thought I would update you and tell you that I have finished another book and can now happily add it to the growing list of books I have read.

Which reminds me, I have not been on Goodreads in a while...