The Meaningful Men

             This week my blog post is on a piece of art that I selected from the MoMa collection and what feelings and ideas it provoked in me. The piece of art doesn't have a name though it is from "88 Maps". I chose this while looking through the gallery because it came out to me because it is specifically made ideas in it yet it is abstract because it isn't actually anything specifically made. My theory is that in one it shows a man who is unsure of himself and the other man on the right is more aware and feels safe. I also think that the guy on the right has many beliefs such as heaven and hell.
             I thought that the first man was unsure of himself and unaware because it was all white and and not certain making it feel like the middle of nowhere (lost). The other side is more filled with colors like a blue sky and green grass and feels more secure with a more certain idea of where he is standing. With more features included the man feels more aware and grounded with himself. I also think that the white mass or circle above him might be heaven/ holy and the red below him at the bottom of the ground is hell. These are his beliefs showing in the picture because he is sure of what he believes.
             I think that this photo connects to me because sometimes I feel like both of the men in the photo. I feel lost and nowhere with out any comfort and confidence. I also can feel very on top of things and aware and I do have my own beliefs and ideas of things like religion. I think this photo connects to the world because throughout the world there are a lot of people who definetly take sides on religion and each person thinks and acts uniquely from one another.

The Stunningly Well Decided Best Blogger

             The person who I think should be voted as the best blog writer of the class is Anouk. Part of why I chose her is because every week she takes the time to make a well-written post and in my opinion goes beyond standards. Her posts are sometimes longer than the 3-paragraph minimum and she doesn't use too much retell to finish her blog quicker. She also shares her ideas and opinions from reading the book and gives reasons of why her point is right. When I looked at some other kid's blogs they were also good except still gave a lot of retell or didn't explain their point. After using her as a mentor I hope to get better at my own blogging as the year goes forward. To look at Anouk's blog and maybe even follow it, go to: Anouk's Blog. One of my favorite posts of hers was the Harry Potter Gnome Post because first of all I love Harry Potter and secondly she gives just enough text and retell needed and then explains her feelings of such a small, simple topic and makes it into a well written response. Good job Anouk!

A Great Integrated Friendship

             In the book, "The Liberation of Gabriel King" by K. L. Going, Gabriel and Frita have a really great friendship. She always looks out for him whether it comes to protecting him from a bully or giving him motivation to cheer him up when he feels alone and hated. He is one of the few people that is friends with her and he cheers her up just by being a good friend to talk to and do things with. I think that they have developed a strong friendship where they are able to look out for each other and not have to hide secrets from each other.

             One example is on pg. 14, " 'Just see if anyone picks on you again after this' Frita said." She is saying that because she is about to go punch Duke, one of the boys who was bullying Gabriel. She risks getting in trouble or getting hurt to help him out since he doesn't have the nerve to do anything about it. But someone could also say that they have a so-so friendship because sometimes she is forceful in getting him to go with her idea of what he should do and he doesn't always want to do it and she doesn't give up on getting him to do it. I think that the two of them work well together because he is soft and scared person and she is a tough and brave girl so they kind of give each other their opinions and ideas in their perspective.

             Their relationship is like how it is in the real world where people have a friend that they always love to hang out with and feel comfortable with. Also Duke and Frankie picking on Gabriel is like what the news was talking about when there was lots of cases of bullying and kids were really affected and got depressed. When they picked on him he also felt really sad and worthless but he was lucky to have Frita there to help and cheer him up.

The Sad Ancient Loss (SPOILER ALERT!)

             In the book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling, Harry and many other people in the wizarding world are in grief after the burst of green light, knocks the Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore dead. Throughout out the series of books I have grown very attached to Dumbledore's  sweet, calm, and intelligent quietness with dealing with issues making this also very sad for me. Dumbledore was a kind, powerful wizard, though when he knew he was ready to die he let the wizards who would never actually be able to defeat him, take him down.

             For example on page 592, " 'They thought I'd die in the attempt, but I'm here... and you're in my power.... I'm the one with the wand.... You're at my mercy...."

             'No Draco,' said Dumbledore quietly. 'It is my mercy, and not yours, that matters now.' " This scene shows that he has the power to take down his opponent yet he stands there giving his life. I see Dumbledore as a honorable, great man for this and all the things he has done in the past. On the other hand someone else would think that what he is doing he is a weak and that he made a bad decision. I thought it was extra dramatic to have all the people to have loved him over the years cry together when they found out the news and when they were at the funeral.

             I think that this part of the story relates to religion and powerful people in the real world. I think it relates to how a few years ago there was a guy who had become one of "the head people" in the Jewish community and people believed that he was the Messiah. After he died people said when he comes back all the  people will resurrect and things will be good again. Dumbledore dying is related to this because he had basically   become a head and a hope of light to the good people of the wizarding world just as "the Messiah" guy had been important and gives hope to the Jews.