English 20 Recap

This year in English I personally really enjoyed a large chunk of the material we covered, some of my most favourite being 12 Angry Men, The Road, and my top A Mid Summer’s Night Dream. I really enjoyed the way we did A Mid Summer’s Night Dream because not only did we act out a majority of the play but we also watched the film to enhance our understanding. On top of all that, when Ms. Harstone would sum up what had just occurred in the scene, all of these factors gave me a great understanding of what happened in this Shakespearean play. I don’t think I have ever understood something I’ve done in school so clearly. There were a few things I didn’t particularly enjoy about this year, V for Vendetta, the Poetry Anthology, and the presenting we did this year. The part I didn’t enjoy the most was the Poetry Anthology because personally I don’t enjoy writing poetry and it isn’t one of my better skills, rhyming and making words sound elegant together isn’t the simplest thing for me to do. Something I would change from this year is doing V for Vendetta as our movie study, the film although the idea for the film and story was well thought out, I found it difficult to understand and follow because it has such a complex idea. Something that I thought worked well this year was the way we read 12 Angry Men, it really forced you to focus and get involved in the book and to add on to that the story was interesting and I enjoyed hearing all the men’s opinions towards the case.

Peru

My spring break was one of the most amazing times of my life, I was very fortunate to be allowed the experience to travel to Peru with the school International Travel Studies. There we did so many amazing things, including experiencing such a different culture and way of life. One of my favourite things we did while we were there is we went to a small town called Urubamba and worked at an elementary school, weeding and painting. It was very powerful to see some of the kids wearing the same clothes three days in a row, and some of them not having proper shoes or backpacks. Also some of the kids live two hours away from the school so their school day ends at lunch time to make sure the kids can get home. The children were absolutely adorable! The first day we were there they were all a bit shy but the next two days we were running around with them giving them piggy backs and just goofing off having a good time. It was a real realization moment for me when we bought them all toothbrushes because brushing our teeth is such a simple everyday necessity we don’t even question but they cannot even afford to have a toothbrush. It really showed me how privileged we are here to have all we have and how much we take advantage of in our everyday lives. It was a very eye opening experience that made me want to help more people in my life because I’m so privileged I believe it’s only right to help everywhere I can.  Another part of the trip I loved was getting to hike the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu, an estimated eight hour hike to the Sun Gate where one can get the first look at Machu Picchu. The day we hiked the Inca Trail I wasn’t feeling very well but I refused to skip the hike, so about half way up I vomited and I felt a lot better after that! Which made the hike much more enjoyable. The views while going up the mountain were amazing and the ever so rewarding feeling you get from the Sun Gate is wonderful knowing your so close and your finally seeing it in real life not just a picture. There is a large set of rock stairs to the Sun Gate and all 18 of us held hand going up to finally see Machu Picchu. It was overall the most amazing trip and one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced.

Wendy's New Year's Resolution

“My New Year’s Resolution forever is tell John and Michael and anyone else all the stories I know about Neverland!” Wendy Moira Angela Darling told herself as the clock stroke midnight on New Year’s Eve. London was roaring in cheers waking her younger brothers from their sleep. “What’s going on, Wendy?” moaned Michael. “Nothing go back to sleep, you to John.” Wendy told them as Nana their canine nursemaid tucked them back into bed. The next evening Mr. and Mrs. Darling were heading out to a party leaving the children to be put to bed by Nana. Once their parents left Wendy sat the boys down and began telling one of her many tales of Peter Pan, Neverland, and the lost boys. “Then,” Wendy shouted, “Peter almost got droned by those mermaids in mermaid lagoon! But, Peter never let those stupid little mermaids stop him, spat in their faces and flew off.” John sprang up and screamed, “What about bloody old Captain Hook!” Michael began crying “I miss Peter, Wendy.” “Me to Michael, but…” she got cut off by the window swinging open and none other than Peter Pan flew into their room. “Oh, Peter! Didn’t forget your shadow again did you?” Wendy laughed. “I heard you made a, a New Year’s resolution, whatever those are, about those stories I love about me! I’m here to listen!” Peter smiled. Wendy told Peter and the boys another story when he leaped up and crowed, “Come back to Neverland Wendy! The lost boys really miss you, and I guess I do to.” Peter confessed. “Peter, I couldn’t, I must stay here with my family, I’m sorry” Wendy said with a heavy heart. “What’s it matter, your just a dumb girl who talks to much anyway!” he said his final goodbyes and flew to Neverland, the second star to the right and straight on till morning. The Darlings never saw Pan again, but little did they know he sat outside their window each night listening to the stories about him till she was old and had her own children. Wendy never broke her New Year’s resolution.