November 2024 – MYP5 English 10

IRJE #3 – The Kite Runner

I started the book “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini yesterday, and I am completely fascinated and in love with it. The book follows the protagonist Amir, who is the son of a wealthy Kabul (The capital of Afghanistan) merchant. He grows up together with his servant´s son, Hassan, who is a Hazara, a large Afghan ethnicity. Hazaras have been looked down on, and treated like less, by their fellow afghans for centuries, but nonetheless, Amir shares a deep connection with his friend. Until one day, one small, fateful choice he makes changes their relationship and his life forever. After the Russian´s invasion in his country, Amir and his father flee through Pakistan to America, the country of hope and new beginnings. He starts a new life there, and seems to have forgotten all about his past. Until one day, many years later, he is forced to travel back to the country he left behind many decades ago, and confront what he should have faced a long time ago, seeing his changed country under the Taliban´s power.

” – nothing left for the children.”

“We’re hungry but we’re not savages! He is a guest! What was I supposed to do?” He said in a strained voice.

” – to find something tomorrow.” She sounded near tears.”What do I feed – ”

I tiptoed away. I understood now why the boys hadn’t paid any attention to the watch. They hadn’t been staring at the watch at all. They ´d been staring at my food.

This was a glimpse of the conversation Amir heard when he returned to Afghanistan and stayed over at his driver´s house for a night. He had had a beautiful meal the day before, and had noticed three little boys staring at his watch while he was eating. He wanted to thank his host and gave it as a present to the sad-looking kids. After hearing this, he now realised that the watch is the last thing they wanted. I think this passage was very interesting, because it shows what the author teaches the readers all the way through the book: the Afghan culture, and how being polite and respectful is worth more than anything else. Even in the worst possible case, when you struggle to find enough food to serve your children, not even then would they reject a stranger at their door. Amir realises when he goes back that the life he lead as a kid under his father´s wealth was never the life of all Afghans, and he is even more determined to repair at least a small peace of the pain he caused long ago. The whole book is an extraordinary insight to life on the other side of the world, with a beautifully written plot, it is a perfect eye-opening story to the terror experienced by a whole nation everyday.

IRJE #3 – Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Tally and Shay are now officially specials. Dr. Cable had them do the operation at the end of the book, Pretties. In this book, Specials, so far it follows Tally as a special, who is trying to find the source of where the pills are coming from which apparently turn people back to thinking for themselves again. She and Shay find their friend who they haven’t seen since their new operations, and he looks completely different to them now in a bad way, even though he has not changed, they have. After he leaves, I came across this paragraph which is a private conversation between Shay and Tally.

“What did Dr. Cable do to us, Shay? Do we have some kind of special lesions in our brains? Something that makes everything else look pathetic? Like we’re better than them?” “We are better than them, Tally-wa!” Shay’s eyes shone like coins, reflecting the lights of New Pretty Town. “The operation gives us the clarity to see that. That’s why everyone else looks confused and pitiful, because that’s how most people are.” (p. 92-93)

(…) “But you and I can smell an unwashed human from a kilometre away, a burnt-out campfire from ten. We can see in the dark and hear better than bats.” Her sneak suit flickered to night black. “We can make ourselves invisible and move without a sound. Think about it, Tally-wa.” (p. 98)

Tally seems to be the only one who thinks something happened during the operation that changed how special’s view people, which I think is true as well. Whereas Shay believes that specials are better than everyone. She backs this up with evidence when acknowledging how much better their senses are now. I chose this because I find it an important part for the readers to understand how different specials are from everyone else.

Pw 3 – short story based on an urban legend

Deep in the snow-clad wilderness of Norway’s Jotunheimen mountains, where the wind howled like the laments of lost souls, whispered an ancient creature—a Wendigo. While the Wendigo is commonly associated with North American folklore, Norwegian elders said that such a monster once roamed their cold heights, cursed by hunger and loneliness.

Years ago, a hunter named Stian entered into Jotunheimen on his own. The villagers warned him of the cursed fjell, where lengthy winters capture travelers and force them to commit desperate things to survive. Stian laughed at their tales. He was proud of his resilience, knowing that his expertise and provisions would get him through.

The first week passed without incident. Stian discovered deer and rabbit trails, but the air became colder and thicker. Storms devastated the peaks by the second week, forcing him to seek safety in a small, abandoned hytte. Snow piled heavy, keeping him inside. His resources diminished. Hunger gnawed at his gut, and his thinking deteriorated with each passing day.

On the tenth evening, he heard a knock. Stian, weak and shivering, opened the door, expecting to find another stranded soul. Instead, a figure stood there, strangely tall and shrouded in darkness. Its eyes flashed a strange blue, and its voice was as frigid as the winter wind.

“You called me,” it murmured.

Stian staggered back. He hadn’t called anyone, but his thoughts were filled with truth. In his desperation, he cursed the gods for leaving him and his agonizing hunger.

The skeletal hand of the creature brushed Stian’s face as it entered. It said, “I can make your pain go away.” “But hunger comes at a cost.”

Desperation tainted Stian’s thoughts. He agreed. With a smile that resembled ice shards, the Wendigo put its hand over his chest. He felt a terrible, never-ending craving as an intolerable cold ran through him.

The following day, a gaunt and hollow-eyed Stian was discovered wandering the mountains. His once-steady voice had become a raspy whisper as he described an insatiable desire for human flesh. It was too late, but the villagers ran away in fear. Stian had lost his humanity. Stalking the peaks in perpetual agony, he had transformed into Jotunheimen’s Wendigo.

Hikers still report hearing his wailing cries on stormy nights. Furthermore, anyone who goes too far might spot a shadow among the trees, waiting and watching—always hungry.

PW #3 – Take Me to Switzerland, Already.

As my time in Victoria comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of gratitude in my life. Through meditation, I’ve learned to appreciate the people and experiences that have changed me, and one of the things I’m most grateful for is the friendships I’ve made, especially with people from all over the world.

One friendship that stands out is with Emma, a kind and sweet girl from Switzerland. It’s incredible how quickly we bonded, and I know it might sound a bit cheesy, but it feels almost as though we’ve known each other forever. We’ve talked about recent vacations we have had, and to me, it’s funny to think how, some years, my winter breaks spent skiing in the U.S. started to feel repetitive and forgettable. But now, thanks to Emma, things might change. She lives in Switzerland, and we’ve already talked about visiting each other, which excites me beyond words. She has shown me photos of Zurich and Zermatt, which are breathtaking, and I can’t wait to ski with her there.

It’s truly amazing how new friendships can make me look at travel and holidays completely differently. I now fantasize about future trips and visiting all my friends from around the world. As my time in Canada ends, I feel deeply thankful for the people I’ve met. These friendships, long-distance or not, will always be a part of me, and they’ve made my time here unforgettable. Though I’ll miss this place, I’m excited about the new memories and adventures.

PW#3 Slow Day in Boarding School

Today was the last day of school week, so i woke up early for breakfast, and get ready for school day. My first class was relaxed so I took the chance to read some more of my new book Fourth Wing. I spent most of the class reading it. Next I had science, I worked in my energy evidence that I’m almost finished with. After that I headed to advisor where i got some more reading time before lunch. In PE we had basketball self assessments, which was fun to do. Then i moved to Individuals and Society, where I worked on my essay The Consequences of World War 1. Once classes were over I went back to my room, after sometime of being there I decided I wanted to read some more. After a while I went down to the dining hall for dinner, then ready my self for a good night sleep, to have a productive day tomorrow.

Don’t Go To The Library! It’s Chaotic!- PW#3

I had to push a car with my dad on the way back from the library. Let me explain. After school, my parents were running late (30 minutes), so I decided to go to Tim Hortons like any normal person would in that situation. Once my mom finally came, we went home. The moment I arrived I didn’t have time to rest or sit down, I had to deliver newspapers. My dad decided he would help me out and we both quickly got that over with. I asked hi if we could go to the library since we were done and I was looking for a new book to read. My dad said that we could, but first he had to give some money to one of his workers and he needed it instantly since he was buying a new car (he got a REALLY good deal that my dad helped him get). The thing is, this car, was a bit run down, but I didn’t care because it wasn’t my car.

Once we were FINALLY done with that my dad and I immediately headed for the library. We got there only to realize it was closed. We were heading back when my dad’s worker called him and asked my dad if we could give him a ride. My dad asked if it was ok and I didn’t want to be be rude, so I told him it’s ok. It was only going to take 10 extra minutes anyways. We go there and my dad drops him off. My dad’s worker gets into his brand-new-run-down car and my dad was following him because they were going to park the car in a different lot (and after that my dad was going to drop him to his house). We are turning right and it was a bit inclined, but that shouldn’t be a problem… or so I thought. I hear a loud noise. I didn’t think much of it until I see my dad’s worker’s car, start rolling in reverse. Is it weird that before thinking about my safety, I thought about my dad’s truck getting a huge dent? I cared more about the truck then anything else. I had the sudden urge to get out and try to stop the car from hitting my dad’s truck (I love that truck). Thankfully, my dad’s worker was smart enough to actually know what a break is used for and realized what was going on in time. If my tru- my dad’s truck got a single scratch, I would never let this man get away with it. HE WOULDN’T HEAR THE LAST FROM ME!

My dad and his worker were trying to figure out what to do, while I just mindlessly watched them, too tired to understand what the hell was going on. My dad had to park his car in a nearby parking lot and he made his way to help his worker. I personally would not even offer it and respond with, “Yeah, you got yourself caught in quite the pickle. Anyways, I wish you the best buddy, but I have to go do… uhm… something more important than this. So, bye!” My dad is too nice to do that and felt bad for the poor man (I felt bad for our truck, but sure). There was another parking lot nearby and in order to get there we had to PUSH THE CAR BACK! Can I mention that the last thing I had wad was half a bagel from Tims and it was 4 hours ago? Our plan managed to succeed and my dad tried figuring out the problem. It wasn’t working because it was still rolling back. I hate scammers even more now… they really do ruin lives…. After a bit of my dad and his worker going back and forth, taking turns to try driving this thing and figuring out what the hell is wrong with it, I was silently waiting for my dad to tell me get in the driver’s seat. I mean, it made more sense that two grown men would push the car instead of one grown man and a weak teenager who… wants to drive.

“Gurjas, get in the drivers seat.”
“LET’S GO!!! I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO SAY THAT!!!”

Safe to say I was the life of the party. I was so happy imagining myself driving this on the actual road. Don’t worry… this is DEFINETLY NOT illegal. definitely. I did not complain about the incident after that- WE GOT HOME AT 8:26 PM! I HAVE HOMEWORK, I NEED TO SHOWER, I AM STARVING, AND I CAN BARELY OPEN MY EYES! I showered. I ate. I check the time. It’s 8:42 pm. That gives me enough time to finish my homew- I slept. I woke up at 4:00 am feeling restless and my legs are barely keeping me up right now. I would not be writing this in my uniform all ready for school if it weren’t for the fact that we are playing soccer today for PE. “Guess I’ll just do my homework,” I thought to myself, “as much as I can… and try to keep my eyes open for the rest of the day, but its not guaranteed. Man, I’m never asking to go to the library again. Except today. I want to go today.”

Moral of the story: Don’t ask your dad to go to the library because then your dad’s worker’s car will stop working and you’ll have to deal with that by pushing it up a small hill and arrive home very late. AND YOU WON’T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE LIBRARY!

PW#3 I don’t want to leave Canada

These past month I have been feeling very down, all of that feeling is mostly because I do not want to go back to my old school. I don’t want to loose my friends that I made here, those friends mean a lot to me in a way I thought no one could in this short period of time.

I am trying to assure I spend all mine time with them, and I want to have a last good time with every single one of the those that matter a lot to me, I want to keep contact to mostly of them or I will just follow their social media to see how their lives are going. But one thing I am sure this time was really nice to me and I will not ever forget these 4 Incredibles months I spend in Canada.

I liked the school and the ambient so much that I want to come back next September and stay here till the end of high school, since I will have people that already mean a lot to me here I will have a good welcome back ( I hope). I will make sure that these last 23 days in the best way possible, I will miss here a lot!

PW#3 ”I Like My Suitcase” – Barron Trump

As the United States election sweeps the nation and puts many Canadians into a state of panic, fearing the countless effects it can have on our public society, all I can think about is the recently viral clip of Barron Trump. In this clip, you can see how the Trump family acts with one another, especially how Barron Trump and his mom speak to each other. Before packing his things to get going for school Barron speaks in the thickest Slavic accent, which has severely reminded me of myself when I was the same age. The now famous quote reminds me of a time that seemed long ago when I spoke barely any English, had to go to special speaking counseling, and even had to work extra hard just to make the sound of the letter r. I struggled a lot in elementary school speaking let alone writing, and even though I find this extremely funny looking back on past videos of myself reflecting on my growth through a simple video has been a refreshing way of clearing my head. So what I am trying to say is thank you to whoever has published this clip into the world as it has brought a new sense of clarity and humor into my life.

Reflection On Two Essays

The two essays, ¨The Moral Equivalent of War¨ by William James and the discussion about whether ¨real men¨ can thrive in a peaceful society, explore how masculinity, war, and society are connected. Both ask an important question: can the energy and toughness that come from war be redirected toward something positive in a world without violence?

In his essay, James talks about how war has shaped human nature and society. He explains that people have inherited a love of fighting, glory, and discipline from their ancestors, who survived through struggle. War, he argues has brought out qualities like bravery, teamwork, and endurance. However, James wants to find a way to keep these ¨manly virtues¨ without the destruction of war. He suggests creating a ¨moral equivalent of war¨, where young people are required to do tough jobs like mining, construction, all this in harsh conditions. These tasks would teach them discipline, hard work, and a sense of pride, just like the military does, but without the violence. James believes this could preserve the positive aspects of war while helping society move toward lasting peace.

The second essay focuses on how masculinity changed during the Industrial Revolution, when the middle/high class (The ¨Bourgeois¨) became more important. Men’s roles became less physical and more about office work and family life. This created a new kind of man who was seen as soft and less exciting compared to the rugged, brave men of the past. At the same time this shift brought safety and comfort, it also led to dissatisfaction. The essay points out that some people still admire hyper-masculine traits, like physical strength and boldness, but warns that unchecked masculinity can lead to problems like violence, gangs, and authoritarianism. It asks whether men can channel their natural aggression in healthy ways or if war and conflict will always be part of human life.

Both essays agree that masculinity often thrives in conflict and challenge. James offers a hopeful solution by suggesting hard civilian work as a substitute for war, while the second essay highlights the risk of ignoring or suppressing masculine energy. The essay also mentions how sports, like boxing have been used as an outlet for aggression, but it questions whether these can fully replace the excitement of war.

In the end, both essays remind us that masculinity is a complex part of human nature. Instead of trying to eliminate the traits that come from war, they suggest we should find ways to canalize them into activities that build society. James and the second essay agree: toughness and strength can exist without violence, but it will take creativity and effort to achieve this balance. The challenge is finding a path where men can grow, stay true to themselves, and contribute to a peaceful world.

PW#3 Good Will Hunting

a few weeks ago I watched Good Will Hunting for the first time, yes, I am well aware I’m a few centuries late to watching it. Mostly on the weekends (because I don’t have time on school days), I watch movies with my dad, Interstellar is next, I can’t wait! If you are like me and have been living under a rock for a while and you don’t know the movie, it’s about a guy named Will, he’s a really smart kid but he doesn’t exactly have anything exciting going on. He’s a janitor at this school and this really difficult problem gets put up in the halls on a board, when Will solves it, the teachers try to get through to him but can’t so they try to get a therapist to help him loosen up and help him (The 4th and last therapist was Robin Williams!). Each session goes on and they get more and more in depth with talk about romance, relationships, deaths, weird stuff like that, maybe I’m into light romance type movies? Not too sure… One thing I really like about movies though is when they bring a quote or action from the start of the movie and reintroduce it at the end. Good Will Hunting did EXACTLY that. Will’s therapist is telling him that he missed out on a great baseball game to “go see about a girl”. Then at the end of the movie, Will decided to go chase this girl he recently had a fight with, he missed the therapy lesson but left a note saying, “I gotta go see about a girl”. Sweet things like that, that I like. Also the way the therapist worded a lot of things, it had deep meanings it was a great movie, awesome movie (I might watch more like that, I’ll be in touch!).

PW #3-My Life here in Canada

It’s time to write my personal writing and I want to talk about how in the last couple of days my work had piled up and I got sick. Right now, I’m trying to catch up with my tasks. Hopefully I’ll be able to finish soon, I just want to recover from this illness.

We are now not so far from returning home for the winter break and I can’t believe that after this I won’t see some of my friends again. I’ll keep texting them and remain in contact but despite all this I’ll miss them. On the other hand, I’m happy that finally we will have a break from school, but even if I decide to rest and relax on the holidays, I’ll have to do my personal proyect.

PW# 3

I love Christmas so much. Theres so much to enjoy about it, the decorations, gifts and food and being around people to celebrate it. My family celebrates it because of the birth of Jesus. I think Christmas is the best holiday ever, especially if you get to spend it in a country that snows so that you can get the white Christmas experience. Everything about Christmas has such a homely feeling. This year I’m going to stay in Canada for Christmas and Im going to celebrate with My mom, Stepdad and my siblings and my Russian friend Polina because she has been begging for a Christmas sleepover. Polina is good at baking so I am going to make her bake me something Christmassy like a gingerbread man. So I am so excited for Christmas.

PW# 3- BC Hydro I Hate You.

Just yesterday the island was affected by something called a “bomb cyclone” It’s not too serious, I mean we aren’t going to get flooded or anything but we will get strong winds, heavy rain, and the tide will be up. As someone who lives smack dab right next to the ocean my house and neighborhood often suffer from power outages, for instance, remember that power outage that happened 2 weeks ago? Well, while the school and other dwellings in sed area got power back at around 8 pm my house did not get power back until 8 am the next day! Now back to the present day with our friend who is the bomb cyclone, our friend is seriously affecting the houses in my neighborhood whether it be; trees, fences, and my gazebo that nearly flew away due to the wind that was whistling through the night. Due to the storm, my house lost power last night, it all started when the lights started flickering which of course I thought was odd until the power went out leaving me completely in the dark, this is a common occurrence in my household so all you can do is light candles and wait out the inevitable time the power gets turned back on. I texted Ely, Eva, Polina, and Roberta asking if their power had gone off as well, but to my surprise, everyone had power except me! I then waited out until we had power and of course power had majestically turned on at the crack of dawn at 5 am in the morning. Now I understand BC hydro is busy and is constantly working around the clock but I mean shouldn’t BC hydro have some kind of back up generator to power the city without having to sit in the dark for hours, and this is me speaking as a resident of a neighbourhood that always gets power last. BC Hydro, shouldn’t you atleast have a plan especially in the rainy season when we have bomb cyclones coming at us? I mean I used to live in Winnipeg where there would be at least 7 different blizzards in a year and our power was on all year round and we had a power outage once every two years, I understand Winnipeg has different whether conditions but why cant BC hydro just adapt better solutions to harsh whether?

I hate power outages and I hate BC Hydro.

PW#03 – Whatsaheart

Whatsaheart is an emerging artist in the alternative and electronic music scene, known for blending introspective themes with atmospheric sounds. His music is often put with “zoomergaze” genre, characterized by a dreamy aesthetic. I deeply admire his ability to blend raw emotion with ethereal, and experimental soundscapes. His tracks like “Snakelike (The Stars Collide)” and “For Her” feel like windows into a deeply personal, introspective world, yet they resonate universally with themes of love, loss, and resilience.

His latest song, “Taking Over Me” and “Ferris Wheel (Back to You),” continue to explore himself longing, personal struggles, and self-reflection. Whatsaheart has been growing his fanbase on Spotify and Amazon Music!

I find his music incredibly inspiring, and it’s often my go-to playlist. Tracks like “Taking Over Me” and “Lovesick” remind me of how art can connect us to emotions we sometimes struggle to express. What sets Whatsaheart apart for me is his authenticity and ability to create a sonic universe that’s as haunting as it is beautiful.

Please be sure to check out his profile on Spotify, Amazon or whatever else you use to listen to music!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Ry6DudE0QFcXoUdXsCQfV

PW#3- Mexican Music

Since I was young, people around me, like my family or friends have always listened to Spanish music. I, on the other hand, had always preferred English music. The main reason for that is that as a kid learning to speak English as a second language, I was encouraged to practice it by singing along to music in English. Subsequently, I developed a taste for American music, hearing it most of the time to the point that my non-English speaking mom memorized some of my favourite songs in English. However, since I’ve been here, I’ve realized how much I miss Mexican music. I miss hearing my mom sing her favourite songs on our way to school or my friends singing them on our car rides trying to make me join them. This sense of nostalgia made me realize what I was missing and made me appreciate the beautiful songs my first language can create. Now, whenever I hear music in Spanish, I feel a comforting connection to home, a reminder of where I come from and the colourful culture that shaped me. Now, I’ve started listening to more music in Spanish, and I’m sure that when I go back to Mexico, I’ll be able to sing along with my mom and friends.

IRJE#2 Percy Jackson

The book I’ve been reading is the first book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, “The lightning Thief” where the whole plot of the book goes around the missing “Lightning” a powerful weapon used by Zeus, the point is that weapon disappeared making Zeus really angry and vengeful.

“Zeus’s master bolt,” Chiron said, getting worked up now. “The symbol of his power, from which all other lightning bolts are patterned. The first weapon made by the Cyclopes for the war against the Titans, the bolt that sheered the top off Mount Etna and hurled Kronos from his throne; the master bolt, which packs enough power to make mortal hydrogen bombs look like firecrackers.”

I chose this quote because it emphasizes the importance of the “Master Bolt” and how it symbolizes the power of Zeus and what reason that weapon was created to which makes it even more important. I am enjoying this book a lot, I already read this book 3 times counting this one, and I always like it a lot.

PW#3 LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Little Miss Sunshine is a movie that has been on my mind for a long time. I watched it for the first time in March of this year, a second time in June, and now I’m seriously considering a rewatch. In my relatively short life, I’ve had the privilege of watching many movies. This year alone, I have watched enough movies to be called a movie buff (one hundred and thirty three movies to be exact) but no movie entranced me as much as Little Miss Sunshine. The portrayal of intricate and dysfunctional family dynamics possessed an unmatched level of realism. In just one hour and forty one minutes, the actors and crew were able to capture profound emotions, comedy, meaningful one liners, and delightful moments in a naturally cohesive manner. It is beyond human comprehension how everyone involved in the creation of the film had been able to come together, collaborate, and sync on such a profound level to produce a film as flawless as this masterpiece. Little Miss Sunshine is a cinematic gem that follows the Hoovers family as they try to get to a children’s beauty pageant. On the way they face numerous challenges and learn how to work together and overcome obstacles. The film has a heartwarming message of self-acceptance and reminds those watching that happiness can be found in the most unexpected places, even amidst chaos and shattered aspirations.

PW #3 – Memory

To stay in my little scheme of writing about Canada, I would like to reflect on one of my most memorable trips I have ever taken. About five years ago, my parents and I took a big, 2-week Trip to Quebec, Toronto and Montreal. It was rather a big deal for my family, since it was the first time they “showed” me Canada, the place where my mom grew up and where my parents got married. I remember little me being incredibly exited, I only knew Canada as the country of bears, snow and maple syrup. A very present memory I have still have is when we visited the ice hotel in Quebec. I was very impressed, a whole building build out of ice! I recall the highlight being drinking apple juice out of ice glasses, and I remember feeling like Elsa from Frozen. My parents told me all about their marriage in that hotel. I also still hold very lovely memories from Quebecs old town, where we walked in the snow for hours. The snow was like nothing I had ever seen before, and I was so in awe of the meters of white cotton candy that I suddenly found before me. Thinking back, I realise I most of my memories from Canada took place in the snow. A thing that I still dream about today, is a beautiful husky sleigh ride that we took in some lost forest, a couple of hours outside of the city. The landscapes that we admired from our cozy seats were spectacular. Even though it was almost a near death experience for me, since I spent 3 hours in -28 degrees not moving, I have never done anything alike since then. The whole trip was an amazing experience and I promised to myself I would come back to that awesome country as soon as I could – and look where I am now!

PW #3 Vorfreude

Going to an international school and being surrounded by people from such diverse backgrounds and cultures has made me realize how important and valuable languages are. Growing up, I never realized what a gift and privilege it was, to be able to communicate in such a variety of languages. I’m very grateful for my parents, to whom I owe my ability of speaking Czech. Being born in Switzerland meant that German immediately became my second language, helping me communicate with everybody on a daily basis. And while I must admit that German is definitely not my favourite language (considering my personal preference for French, Italian and English), mainly because of how complex it is, I still believe that it should be admired for it’s beauty. Its literature, poetry, and rich history reflect a depth of thought and emotion that deserves greater appreciation.

One of my favorite aspects of German is its ability to capture complex emotions in unique ways. A great example is the word Vorfreude. This word, which translates to the joyful anticipation of something yet to come, has no direct English equivalent. It perfectly describes the spark of excitement and happiness before an anticipated event. Vorfreude is something we all experience daily, whether it’s the thrill of planning a trip, the anticipation of a celebration, or the joy of knowing you’ll see a friend after a long day at school. Vorfreude can always be found in the simple moments.

The word ‘Vorfreude’ always reminds me to savor the build-up and not just focus on the outcome. These layers of excitement to ordinary moments have made me look for joy in the everyday.

PW#3

My big achievements this school year are my grades and my courage to make new friends. It was difficult to begin the school year without my best friends, Regina and Fernanda, since they returned to Mexico. Even though that was difficult, I still ended up making some amazing friends. This year, my marks in school have improved a lot because I am putting more effort into getting good grades, focusing better and learning from mistakes I had in the past. Overall, I think I made a lot of good achievements so far and hope to make many more.

IRJE#2-Good Girl, Bad Blood

The book I’ve been reading is Good Girl, Bad Blood, and it’s a fascinating piece of fiction by Holly Jackson. This book is a sequel to Good Girls Guide to Murder, which I read last summer. The sequel is really interesting, and the characters and plot have hooked me since the beginning. Even if it’s not a relatable book but a murder mystery I found some quotes really funny and relatable.

“But sometimes my mouth starts saying words without checking with my brain first.” (p.120)

This quote made me laugh because this is something that happens a lot to me. I constantly find myself saying things which I later regret and I end up wondering why I said it in the first place. Even though the book is about mystery and crime, the characters often have these moments that make the story feel real and relatable. Because of this, I enjoy reading this book and I cant wait until I finish it and continue to the next book in the sequel.

PW #3: The Passage of Time

There’s something about the world around me that’s… nostalgic almost. If you’ve lived around the Colwood/Langford area for a large part of your life you probably know what I mean. Like when you take a walk up the street you grew up you have the realization that everything has completely changed since you were a small child. Maybe it’s that park near your house that’s been bulldozed, or that store that’s closed its doors that you used to go to all the time when you were younger, or maybe it’s that field that you used to walk around in that got developed into a neighbourhood. Whatever it may be, it represents the passage of time.

Seeing the changes happening around your world is a feeling that nothing else can really match, and it feels so odd looking back to how everything was when nothing you see looks the same. You’re almost a stranger to the place that you’ve been living your entire life when you compare how everything was. Maybe it’s something that you notice every so often with places you used to visit all the time, or maybe it’s something that you’ve never really noticed. Taking a walk through the same place just a decade later shows the effect that time has on the world around us.

PW #3 – Taiwan

Last week, I was away in Taiwan with my dad. We went for nine days (seven full days) as an attempt to see all 31 endemic bird species. We left for the ferry on Thursday evening and flew from Vancouver at 15 minutes past midnight to Taipei, Taiwan. It was a 12.5-hour flight, and we arrived early morning. Once we landed, got out of the airport, and got our rental car, we immediately hopped in and started birding. It was a warm, humid day as we travelled from park to park. The following day we got our first endemic, Taiwan Liocichla. As the days were going by, we saw some amazing scenery, stayed at some weird hotels, and ate and saw some peculiar food. I remember one of the menus advertising snails, large intestines, and pig snouts. A few times you must cook your food. You have a bowl of boiling water on a flame, and a bowl of raw mystery meat, lots of different kinds of mushrooms and veggies. We threw them in and hoped for the best. On one of our days, we had a long drive to chase an endemic, Styan’s Bulbul. In order to get it, we had to drive to the east coast along a dangerous, narrow, wet, one-lane road on the side of a mountain. There were avalanches everywhere, holes in the road, places where half the road was down the cliff. Lots of tunnels as well. While we were waiting for the next road opening in a part, we had an hour to waste where we saw the bulbul on a telephone pull. When we walked back to the car, there was a monkey (Formosan Rock Macaque) who was climbing up the car towards my open window I forgot to close. If they get in the car, they will ruin and take everything. We tried to scare it off and it climbed on top of the car and stood its ground, showing its teeth the finally climbing down. We saw lots of monkeys and street dogs as far as the mammals go. A few squirrels and a serow as well. Unfortunately, on the last couple days, the park where we had planned to get the last tricky endemics was closed due to a Typhoon coming so we were unable to get all the endemics. The last endemic we got a few hours before heading to the airport was a Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler. A skulker but we managed to see it thanks to a group of photographers in a huddle desperate to get a glimpse at this hard bird. This made the final count of endemics, 26/31. The flight home left at midnight and landed in Vancouver at 6:30pm. We got the 9pm ferry and got home at 11:45pm.

PW#3 – My Constantly Cracking Boots!

As you all know, I am a Sea Cadet, and keeping uniform up to it’s best standards is one of the major responsibilities, especially when you are a senior like me. The boots I have are from the late 1950s; this means that there is organic leather which makes the boot easier to shine than it’s new counterparts. This leather allowed me to polish the boots up super fast and make them ready for cadet nights in 1 to 2 and a half hours. However, I was faced with a constant problem; the polish would flake, creating uneven surfaces on the boot, also known as boot cancer. To fix this, there are two routes; you may either strip the boot (take off the layers) which will take you a long time to rebuild the layers, or polish over and smooth out the surfaces. From my 6+ years of experience in Cadets, it is best to strip the boots and to build them up from the ground again. This however, didn’t help the issue, and the polish kept on flaking and falling off. I decided to try the other method out as well, where I build polish on top of the cancerous areas. This too didn’t work, in fact it only worsened as the dried out polish didn’t stick well to the more humid polish.

This brought me back to the drawing board, as I wasn’t sure of what to do at this point. I was ver desperate at this point, even thinking about leaving my question on Reddit when I remembered about something; My Friends! Being very desperate I shot them all a message, hoping for the best. They went with me to the Summer’s Military camp, making them a reliable source especially since I knew all of them personally. I have showed them pictures of my boots and asked about their opinion, and sure enough they pointed out one detail that I failed to notice. The boot was dry! They joked around saying “how about you offer it a drink or two” and even “ain’t you a sea man?”, “ain’t they supposed to be hydrated 24/7?”.

They were right; I was too concentrated to look good which caused me to not pay attention to the minor details. Using their help as a guide I stripped the boots (it took ~20 minutes for each boot) and applied the one thing the boot needed; The Moisturizer. After that, I buffed (term for building up layers of polish, in this case I have built up the first the 3 layers with a buffing brush) the boots and left them out to dry. This will create a so called steady base layer on which the whole polish relies on. This process is currently in the making and I can’t wait to share any future results/personal experience with what happens next.

PW #3 – Arizona Part 3

It was day 4 in Arizona. On day 4 out of 6 of being in Arizona, me and my friend had plans to go to a go karting place. Once we arrived, it took quite a while before it was our turn. To pass the time we ate some of the food there. I can’t quite recall what I ate, but I think it was pretzel sticks. After we ate, it was our turn to do go karting. I had never done it before, and we had three rounds to do it. The moment I started driving the kart I thought it was kind of fast, but after about 10 seconds I realized it was much slower than I imagined. To me it felt like a speed of around 20 – 40 km/h, I was unsure. In the first round, I ended up placing 4th for fastest lap time, while my friend on the other hand ended up placing first. At the time, I thought it was because I was stuck behind a bunch of slow drivers, which could’ve been the case, but after reviewing some photos that my parents took, I realized it was because my foot was on the brake the entire time, which similarly happened to my friend the first time he went go-karting. My friend placed 1st, and I placed 4th for every single round after that. I blamed the result on the fact that I had my foot on the brake the whole time. After the go-karting was over, my friend and I decided to play some of the arcade games, where I destroyed him 10 – 2 in air hockey. After this, my mom had plans to take me to the Grand Canyon the next day, not with my friend because he had stuff to do.

IRJE #2 – Specials by Scott Westerfeld 2006

The book Specials by Scott Westerfeld is the third book in a series of four. IRJE #1 was about the second book, and now I have moved onto reading the third book. I have just started reading this book and haven’t even finished the first chapter but so far, the key event that I clued into was that Tally is now a Special, or Special Circumstance. Specials are a modified ‘superhuman’ version of a pretty who can resist the effects of the lesions. Most Pretties who were very tricky in their ugly life became specials. Tally is feeling better, and her memories are sharp and can be remembered now. Tally isn’t a regular special though, she is part of a group of 16 with her best friend Shay, called the Cutters. They are separated from the rest of the specials and prefer to do missions alone. The Cutters went to an uglies party to try and find a Smokie (city Uglies who escaped the operation). This is when I found this paragraph.

The crowd parted easily, everyone sliding out of her way. However zitty and uneven their faces, the uglies’ eyes were sharp, full of nervous stabs of awareness. They were smart enough to sense that the three Cutters were different. No one stared for too long at Tally or realized what she was behind her smart-plastic mask, but bodies moved aside at her lightest touch, shivers playing across their shoulders as she passed, as if the uglies sensed something dangerous in the air.

It was easy seeing the thoughts ripple across their faces. Tally could watch the jealousies and hatreds, rivalry and attraction, all of it written on their expressions and in the way they moved. Now that she was a special, everything was laid out clearly, like looking down on a forest path from above. (p. 9)

This quotation shows that now Tally is a Special, she can think much clearer than ever before. She seems to enjoy being part of the Special Circumstances now, even though she didn’t want to become one in the first place. It probably helps that Shay is there as well and that they formed their own tight group of 16 called the Cutters. When I read this section, it seems to me that Tally, as well as the other Specials, have very keen and sharp senses now. They are starting to see their life around them in a different way. Before when they were Pretties, they found it hard to remember and think for themselves because they couldn’t. The lesions that the operation puts in their brains stopped them from doing what makes you human. But when Tally managed to brake away from that state of mind and think for herself all by herself, the Special Circumstances noticed and knew that Tally should become one of them. Because no one should be able to resist the effects of the lesions, which made Tally special.

“IRJE #2 Life for sale

Life for sale is a Japanese novel written by Yukio Mishima, published in 1968. The story follows Hanio, who at the beginning of the novel attempts to kill himself for no reason. After his attempt fails, he has nothing left to fear and feels that life is now meaningless. For this reason, he puts an ad in the newspaper announcing his life is for sale. He will do any job or task that is asked of him for any price, including death. The rest of the novel follows him and the strange adventures he embarks on after being hired by various abnormal people.

“He was a man who had already died once. There was no reason why he should feel any sense of responsibility or attachment to the world. To him, it was nothing more than a sheet of newspaper covered in the scribblings of cockroaches.” (p. 33 )

I chose this quote because the author repeats similar sentiments throughout the book, and each sentiment sums up Hanio as a person, as well as give us the reason for his irrational, life threatening decisions.

IRJE#2 – The Overstory

In the Novel “The Overstory“, by Richard Powers, we are introduced to a couple (and later a family) which has moved out into the Rural area of Prospect Hill, Brooklyn. The Head of the Family, Jorgen Hoel, plants 6 chestnut trees; These trees provide people with not only wood but also a food source. It is mentioned that if the ground were to shake a bit the food would come to the ground “..by the shovelful”, (p.5). This gives us a feel for the importance of these trees. These trees, however, seem to have a tie with the main character’s lives. For example, when the first new born dies during infancy:

“Their Firstborn dies in infancy..”

“One of the six chestnuts fails to sprout.” (p. 7)

After these devastating blows we are informed that Jorgen does not give up, and he keeps them up to prevent this source to be taken away from them. Overall the beginning of this book shoes true power of will, where after such seemingly hard hits the father does not give up. It is also pretty interesting and symbolic to see the nature aspect tie in with the humans. One last interesting part that I noticed would be the way they all depend on this tree. This shows how dependent we are on nature as well as raises questions based on how close are tied to nature today.

IRJ#2

The book that I am currently reading is called “It Starts With Us” by Colleen Hoover. I am almost done this book and it is one of my favourite books already. I think that this book as a good meanings and good wisdom. One of my favourite quotations from this book is.

” when you’re told you are nothing for years on the end by everyone, you should mean something too, you start to believe it. And you slowly start to become nothing.” (P.96)

I chose this quotation because I found that it really had a meaning to what real life is and helps people understand different types of feelings.

PW#2

Life as a boarding student on weekends

As a boarding student my weekend mornings are usually slow and relaxed. I woke up at 11:00 and head down to the dinning hall for brunch. This weekend, my friends and I decided to try a restaurant in downtown called The cactus Cafe Club.

After brunch we spend the afternoon talking and getting ready for dinner on downtown. In the restaurant I decided to order a salmon dish, while my friends ordered stake.

After dinner, we wanted to try out the new winter menu in Starbucks, and then went back to school and called it a night.

IRJE #2: My Side of The Mountain

My Side of The Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. This book, published in 1959, is a tale focusing on 15-year-old Sam Gribley, who decided to run away from home to go and live in the wilderness on his great-grandfather Gribley’s farm.

“Five notches into June, my house was done. I could stand in it, lie down in it, and there was room left over for a stump to sit on. On warm evenings I would lie on my stomach and look out the door, listen to the frogs and nighthawks, and hope it would storm so that I could climb into my tree and be dry.” (p. 35)

In this quote, Sam Gribley is reflecting on his achievement of completing his house in the wilderness, which was a tree that he hollowed out with the usage of fire. He had completed this house just in time for winter, and he installed a fireplace in the front of the house to keep him, as well as his pet falcon Frightful, warm during the cold winter months. The beginning of this quote where Sam is talking about ‘five notches into June’ is simply referring to days into the month.

IRJE2- IT by Stephen King

It, a sprawling epic of horror by Stephen King, combines terrifying terror with nostalgic childhood memories. In the novel, a group of misfit friends known as the Losers’ Club face a shape-shifting creature that feeds off their worst anxieties. King skillfully conveys the brittleness and tenacity of youth, crafting a story that is as much about maturing and friendship as it is about facing evil. Derry, Maine, turns into a character in and of itself, its eerie past and dark alleys adding to the sense of dread. The encounter between young Georgie and Pennywise the Dancing Clown in a storm drain early in the book is among the most terrifying:

“‘Hiya, Georgie!’ the clown said brightly. ‘Aren’t you gonna say hello?’ Georgie stared into the clown’s blue eyes, and it smiled. No, he thought, that’s not right. Its eyes should be dancing, but instead they were dead, like the eyes of a shark. He felt the smile grip his insides and twist them.”

King’s creativity is perfectly captured in this passage, which layers the scene with a sense of creeping inevitability while transforming an apparently innocent character into the stuff of nightmares.

Reflection on the two essays

William James’s The Moral Equivalent of War is the first essay I’ll talk about. In this essay, James considers how, in spite of its cruelty, war can help people develop virtues like courage, self-control, and camaraderie. He makes the case that despite war’s destructive nature, it can also be used for good. According to him, our ancestors’ aggression is a natural aspect of who we are and cannot be eradicated. James argues that without war, life might seem pointless and dull. In order to maintain order and direction, he acknowledges that maintaining some military-like discipline would be necessary to achieve peace, but he also characterizes war as an inevitable aspect of human existence.

Eric MacKnight examines whether war is required to channel what he refers to as “hyper-masculinity” in his essay Can Real Men Live in a Peaceful Society? The idea of a powerful, fearless warrior who thrives on conflict and conventional male roles is what this alludes to. This is comparable to “hyper-femininity,” which MacKnight describes as a stereotype of a seductive but unfaithful woman. He asserts that a new definition of masculinity has emerged as a result of contemporary shifts, combining strength with an emphasis on the home and family. MacKnight agrees with James that mandatory military service could teach discipline and provide a constructive outlet for young men’s aggressive tendencies. He notes that chivalry was once employed to restrain male aggression, but as these principles wane, he wonders if war and bloodshed will always be part of being human

IRJE#2 Black Beauty

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is a novel told from the perspective of a horse. It follows Black Beauty’s life, from a happy colt on a country estate to his time in London where he experiences both kind and cruel owners. Through his story, the book highlights the mistreatment of horses and advocates for compassion, and humane treatment. It became a key work in the animal rights movement.

“We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words.” (pg.101)

I chose this quote because I think it is a pivotal moment in the book where Black Beauty, reflects on the suffering of animals and the misunderstanding from humans who often do not care about their pain. After all, animals cannot express themselves in words so we sometimes treat them as lesser. I think the author is trying to tell readers to understand that the absence of speaking does not lessen an animal’s ability to suffer. It brings attention to how humans treat those who are unable to speak their pain which makes this book making it a very real reflection on basic human empathy, compassion, and responsibility toward other living beings.

IRJE#02 – Throne Of Glass

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas follows Celaena Sardothien, an infamous assassin who is freed from a brutal prison in exchange for entering a competition to become the king’s champion. As she goes through the deadly trails, Celaena uncovers dark secrets about the kingdom, it’s rulers, and her own mysterious past. With the stakes growing higher, she has to choose between loyalty, love, and survival.

One of my favourite quote from the books is:

“Libraries were full of ideas—perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.”

I picked this quote because it highlights the power of knowledge, even in a world full of physical battles and magic, ideas and information can be just as potent.

IRJE #2 Coraline by Nell Galman

In ”Coraline” by Nell Galman, is a wonderful book with a great storyline that incases the reader in it’s wonderful realistic world, which made me and countless others never want to stop reading. First written in the early 2000’s, it follows the story of a young girl who has to find her way out of a mysterious, clone, copy of her original life. I truly loved reading this book and I would recommon it to anyone who loves a quick read.

That night Coraline lay in bed, all bathed, teeth cleaned, with her eyes open, staring up at the ceiling.

It was warm enough that, now that the hand was gone, she had opened her bedroom window wide. She had insisted to her father that the curtains not be entirely closed.

Her new school clothes were laid out carefully on her chair for to put on when she woke.

Normally, on the night before the first day of term, Coraline was apprehensive and nervous. But, she realized, there was noth left about school that could scare her anymore.

This quotation is significant to say the least, because it shows the progression of Coraline’s character for the first to the very last page of this book. At the beginning of this book Coraline is a stubborn yet nervous girl, always fearful for the future. However, as we reach closer and closer to the last page we see how drastically she changes to a stronger, more well-rounded person. This I believe can signify many different irrelevent events that can happen in a person’s life to change them. Nonethless, it most certainly can be irrelevent to my age group as it is a clear example of how even one event can change a person forver.

My Reflection On The Two Essays

As we were reading these two essays in class, I couldn’t help but notice the contrary perspectives on these two essays. It’s a classic scenario of same story, different perspectives. The First essay, “The Moral Equivalent of War” by William James, he began by explaining how life was before the war. “The earlier men were hunting men, and to hunt a neighboring tribe, kill the males, loot the village and possess the females, was the most profitable, as well as the most exciting, way of living” (pg.1). He believes that people deserve the peace that we had before war. He also believes that humans are belligerent and that trait has been bred into us along by saying “thousands of years of peace won’t breed it out of us…” (pg.1). If we look into the perspective of the second essay, “Can real men live in a peaceful society?” By Eric MacKnight, he explains that men had softened after the war, as he claimed “The bourgeois men were too soft to make good soldiers” (pg.1). He also brings up that war is a necessity when it comes to hyper masculinity. Without war there is “marginalization and condemnation of hyper-masculinity in bourgeois society, because the consequences of men violating bourgeois taboos around masculinity range from the personal (e.g., assaults, domestic violence, rape) to the collective (e.g., gangs, fascism, and war)” (pg. 3).

“The Moral Equivalent of War” & “Can men live in a peaceful society?”: Reflection

In William James’s essay “The Moral Equivalent of War”, James argues that even while battle and war are cruel, they nonetheless enforce rules that are needed in their countless soldiers. Such discipline enforced on soldiers during their time in training and so on creates an environment for the betterment of men. He argues that despite the destructive and unsightly nature of war, its positive aspects can be used for constructive purposes. According to him, everyone has some degree of aggression, which was ultimately left for us by our ancestors and in turn an important aspect of human nature that cannot be hidden. Life without combat would be dull and lifeless to him as besides being a tool to enforce discipline, war is truly what gives life its meaning. James also appears to admit, nonetheless, that although war is brutal in many aspects, peace cannot be made without men’s required order and discipline.

This last and final essay titled “Can real men live in a peaceful society?” by Eric MacKnight, explores how beliefs about ”hyper-masculinity” were changed by middle-class values in the late 19th and early 20th century. Back in those days, males were supposed to work normal jobs such as in factories, support their families, and lead a stable, peaceful life rather than mastering life between and while fighting on the front lines. Although this change made some believe society was changing for the better, some felt it took away a sense of excitement and hardness, which made men look for these traits in fitness or sports. Although I believe this notion of how a man should behave did create new negative stereotypes about women and the idea of over-the-top hyper-masculinity with no room for vulnerability, many can argue it also created new means of teaching younger boys and children how to behave with manners that can be practiced throughout lifetimes.

My reflection of “The Moral Equivalent of War” and “Can Real Men Live in a Peaceful Society”

In The Moral Equivalent of War I see that William James assumes that men have this, war-like urge in them that can not be fought back. He believes in wanting peace but he says “Our ancestors have bred pugnacity into our bone and marrow, and thousands of years of peace won’t breed it out of us…”, which says that we are born with a set of a sense of brutal, strong, dominance. That the history has shaped our human nature and engraved it into our future along with another quote near the end, “The martial type of character can be bred without war…”. William James is basically saying that with or without war, men are eager savages at heart, they can develop these traits throughout their journey, both good and bad, they can learn discipline and courage along with venerating savagery. Next, in Can Real Men Live in a Peaceful Society, Macknight describes how textbook chivalry has been destroyed due to social media, as men would brush off a “woman in peril”. He also says how men in the bourgeoise society have become too… Soft, after the war as if all that hardness disappeared. Then stated that women in the bourgeoise society would look for these so called “bad boys” just to come to the realization that they are terrible people, mean and brutal men that couldn’t live in a peaceful society. Something I feel worth mentioning is that I was pretty surprised to see but it was said that people were thinking to castrate violent, out of line men, just like they do dogs, to try and tame them again.

IRJE #2 The Cruel Prince

In “The Cruel prince” By Holly Black, the first book in a trilogy. Holly Black tells us the story of a young woman named Jude Duarte. Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later Jude wants nothing more than to belong there- but many of the fey despise humans. Especially the wickedest son of the High king. To win a place at the court, Jude must defy him-and face the consequences.

“I want to win, I want to climb up and up and up. And then I want to reach down and tell everyone who’s ever doubted me that they were wrong. I don’t want to be a pawn in someone else’s game; I want to make my own moves. I want to be someone to fear. A blade to cut. A force to be reckoned with. I want power, and I am not ashamed of it.”

This quote captures Jude’s determination to forge her own path in a world that constantly underestimates her. She rejects the idea of being controlled and instead embraces her ambition for authority, it shows her development from being a vulnerable human girl that depends on the murderer of her parents for protection into a fierce woman with strategic force, showing us her search for power becoming the force of her purpose and challenges in the Faerie realm.

Allies By Allan Gratz- IRJE #2

Allies By Allan Gratz, was recommended to me by my brother (the one time he is actually useful). This book was actually quite interesting. At first, my main purpose was to make fun of my brother’s taste, but I ended up loving it! I never really thought I enjoyed books about wars until I read this master piece. This book is about the Allied invasion of France opposing Nazi Germany. The main protagonist in this book is a 16 year old kid named Dietrich Zimmermann, except everyone formally knows him as Douglas Carpenter, but call him Dee (as a nickname). Dee is under this guise because he is actually German.

Would Sid care that Dee’s parents had disagreed with Hitler? Would Sid care that they had run away to America so Dee wouldn’t be brainwashed to hate everyone who wasn’t a ‘pure’ German? That Dee had been in America for almost his whole life, so long that he had lost any trace of his German accent? (page 18)

This quotation highlights Dee’s anxiousness as he thinks over Sid’s attitude towards him if his friend discovers his ancestry. He knows very well that Sid hates the Germans with every bone in his body (Sid is Jewish and is made fun of that often). Dee is a very close friend of Sid, but he feels guilty the more he lies. I could really understand Dee on an emotional level when the narrator mentions how anxious Dee feels about his background. He feels like an outsider. Which can be the situation for many people as I’ve seen in my life. He wants to tell people about his ancestry and be able to explain why he is there. Yet, at the same time, he finds a need of lying.

Reflection on two essays about war

In the essay “Can real men live in a peaceful society”, I thought that it was true after reading both essays when he said ‘bourgeois men were too soft to make good soldiers’ (p. 1) even though the war just ended. It’s interesting that people changed so much in such a short amount of time. It was like the war never happened. It was ‘a thing of the past’ (p. 1) and a new way of life was developed. I wasn’t that surprised that the essay stated that ‘it is better to die than to live in defeat’ (p. 5) only because of the time it was written, in the 19th century. If that was said today, I think I would be more surprised. This is because people back then seemed to be more noble than in today’s world. I think it’s a form of courage. They believe in what they are fighting for, therefore they are saying they will fight to the end for what they believe in. At the end where is wonders of war and violence will always remain with us as long as there are humans. I believe that this statement is true because it is in our nature to control and want more than we have. The constant battle for control over people or especially land will always remain with us because that’s just who humans are. In “The Moral Equivalent of War” essay by William James, he also believes that peace will not be permanent on earth (p. 3) and states that if war stopped, we would have to re-invent it. He believes that people are getting too soft and that ‘war has been the only force that can discipline a whole community’. I agree with James because after all the readings we’ve done in English class, the harsh reality of war shows that it disciplines people and there is no way of hiding from it.

IRJE #2 – The Long Exile

I started “The long exile” by Melanie McGrath a couple of days ago, and have found this book to be very interesting. The Plot takes place in 1923, when the Government forcibly removes Inuit people from their homes in Hudson Bay to the artic landscape of Ellesmere Island. The story follows “white” man Robert Flaherty, who has lived in the middle of the Inuit people for a couple of years, working on his mission to make a sellable movie of the life in the Artic. He finds a lover there, and soon he has a half-Inuit son, Josephie Flaherty, son to him and to Maggie Nujarluktuk. Josephie takes over as the main character, but I have yet to find out how his story continues.

“Displays of rage, frustration or depression are so disapproved of among the Inuit that many grow up without any conscious sense of having these feelings. “

I chose this sentence because I think it represents well what the book has mostly been about: to teach about the different and alternative lives that the population far up in the north leads. Between the fur trades with the southern Canadians, their main contact to southern civilisation, the Inuit people live very differently from other nations, living with unique and unusual nature conditions. They have adapted to that live style, but as Robert found out when he was living with them and experiencing their way of life; what makes people stay alive in harsh times and conditions is learning to live together, all as one, caring as much for your neighbour as you would for you.

“The Moral Equivalent of War” + “Can men live in a peaceful society?”: Reflection

I’ll first start with the first text “The Moral Equivalent of War”, by William James. I found James’ beliefs quite interesting, particularly the fact that he believes that agreements should be able to be made, and that warfare really isn’t necessary, and it’s hard to disagree with that. Another aspect I found interesting was how James states that “War is, in short, is a permanent human obligation… The only alternative is “degeneration” (pg. 2).” He is essentially talking about militarism, and how it’s lead many to believe that war is the only option to have noticeable change. For the second text “Can men live in a peaceful society?”, by Eric MacKnight, I found multiple aspects of this text interesting, the first aspect being how women from bourgeois society generally gravitated towards ‘bad boys’ with bulging muscles, despite the fact that a sizeable portion of these individuals were actually horrible people. Part of this is allegedly to blame on the boredoms of bourgeois life, which supposedly lead to people engaging in wild behaviors that were against societal norms. The fact that many people were starting to stray from the norms of masculinity surprised me, especially in this context. Overall, I found both of these texts equally interesting to read about in class.

Reflection on War Essays

The first essay I would like to focus on is “The Moral Equivalent of War”, by William James. James argues that despite wars brutality, it still creates positive qualities in the soldiers, such as discipline and courage. His idea is that even though war is destructive and ugly, its qualities such as comradie can be used for good deeds. He is of the opinion that the aggressiveness that can be found in every person, that it was left there for us by our ancestors, essentially making it a part of the human nature that cannot be removed (L.16-18). He says that, without war, life would be “insipid”; that it would be boring. But is war really what makes life worth living, what makes it interesting? This is what James seems to say: “War is, in short, a permanent human obligation” (L. 42-43). Nevertheless, he acknowledges war´s savagery, and mentions that peace cannot be achieved without “preserving some of the old elements of army-discipline” (L.58), saying that discipline and order is men need.

In “Can real men live in a peaceful society?” by Eric MacKnight, he argues about how much war is really needed to let out “hyper-masculanity”, as he calls it. He uses that term to describe a “strong, handsome warrior that loves the battlefield even more than he loves women.” The same can be said for hyper-femininity: “beautiful, sexy, and unfaithful.” (p.3). He describes the idea of a new “bad boy” as a result of the 20th century, saying that he combined the “traditional masculine virtues with a dedication to home and family” (p.2). As James did in his essay, he also mentions his idea of a mandatory conscription for all young men, to maintain the discipline of the war and let out this hyper-masculine side of them in a beneficial way. Men were once raised with the idea of chivalry, which was originally invented to “tame the violence of the men”, since only prison or castration seemed to work to appease mens violent nature. But this idea seems to fade, which leads to the question – will war and violence remain with us as long as we are human?

Reflection on Essays

William James suggested that all citizens should take part in national service. He believed this would help build strong character and a sense of community without the violence of war. His idea of mandatory service is similar to the forced labor seen in communist governments, where people are made to work for the good of society.

However, forced labor takes away basic freedoms and violates human rights. People should have the choice to volunteer instead of being forced. When people are made to do something, they often don’t give their best effort. This can lead to poor results, low productivity, and anger toward the government.

History shows that similar ideas in communist countries caused more harm than good. These programs often failed to achieve their goals and created distrust and unhappiness among citizens. Instead of bringing people together, they caused division and resentment.

While James’s idea had good intentions, it’s important to learn from the past. Any plan for national service should focus on giving people the freedom to choose and respect their rights. Only then can it truly benefit both individuals and society.

Reflection on the 2 Texts

Personally I believe that the first text demonstrates a good idea for the future; In the text “The Moral Equivalent of War” we are proposed an idea that men should be conscripted to do service and labour; This is not a bad idea, as this will only benefit our society; we may see great change in construction and corruption today. This however, might change as the leaders may use them as a labour force, and disputes/wars may happen over this as well. From a limited point of view, this idea is not terrible and may work if we remain at peace with one another.

In the second text, “Can Real Men Live in a Peaceful Society”, we are proposed an idea of a world where the real “Tuff” men are too violent/aggressive to the other people, hence they present us to Castration. This is not a bad thing necessarily, however, there will always be the other perspective; People that are ill or may not comprehend what they are doing may be wrongfully accused of terrible actions and may be castrated. You furthermore realise that this is a negative idea when you start to understand that people plan to use drugs. The “calmness” and “slowness” from this drug may lead to unintelligent decisions and cause a lot of trouble in the modern society.

Overall, I believe these texts made me realise how vulnerable society is, and how people may be redirected today. Despite the texts being centred on the 20th century, I can still see their concern and support some of these ideas.

Reflection on “The Moral Equivalent of War” & “Can real men live in a peaceful society?”

In ”The Moral Equivalent of War” William James talks about how humanity’s natural drive for aggression and bravery could be redirected into positive and productive activities rather than violence. He points out that traits like courage and discipline – which might often be associated with military and war- are still valuable, but that our society should find ways to encourage these qualities in peaceful ways. I agree with his statement because I believe that the army/military – as seen in our WW1 literature and poetry unit – encouraged a sense of belonging for many young men. The strong bonds and friendships might have been formed during unpleasant circumstances, but they still led to lifelong companionships. This feeling of collectivity was what many of the young soldiers felt they needed; feeling confused and lost after entering adulthood. I believe that these values, which the army represents, can be continued, by giving young men the chance to willingly enlist or serve in the army.

The essay ”Can real men live in a peaceful society?” discusses how middle-class values in the 19th and early 20th centuries reshaped ideas about masculinity. Back then, instead of focusing on war and physical strength, men were expected to work regular jobs, provide for their families, and live quiet, stable lives. While this shift created a more peaceful society, some people felt it took away a sense of toughness and excitement, which led men to seek these qualities through sports or fitness. I believe that this image began shaping strong male stereotypes but at the same time began to spread negative female stereotypes and the image of a ”weak woman”.

Both of these essays made me rethink these male and female stereotypes/roles which have been around for a long time and how these concepts of ‘manhood’, ‘chivalry’ or ‘hyper-masculinity’ might have emerged and shaped our modern day society.

IRJE#2 Catcher in the Rye

I must say that I’ve really loved this book. Mr. MacKnight, thank you for sharing this book with me it has been a great one. Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger is about a guy, Holden, he’s an adult although seems to be disconnected from the adulthood world. He struggles academically, struggles with being social, struggles with being normal altogether. I have two quotes, one on his social awkwardness and another on his sadness or depression.

When I opened the door, this prostitute was standing there… “You the guy Maurice said?” she asked me… “Yes, I am. Come in, won’t you?” I said…

She put down the menu and looked at me. “Let’s go, hey. I haven’t got all-”

“Look” I said. “I don’t feel very much like myself tonight. I’ve had a rough night. Honest to God. I’ll pay you and all, but do you mind very much if we don’t do it? Do you mind very much?”

This quotation has Holden getting in contact with a prostitute but instead of doing what any normal guy would do he asks if they can just talk. it show his distance with adulthood, fear of being vulnerable, and his desire for connection and attention (hiring a prostitute to only have a conversation to connect).

Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.

In this quotation it shows Holden’s bad habit of isolation, pushing everybody away to protect himself from emotional damage, which basically means that the odd regrets of having memories with people makes him vulnerable and easily hurt. It also showed a little character development, I think, because despite all the bad memories, arguments, and what not that Holden had with everyone, he still remains sad, and missing them, showing his development in viewing the positive side of things at the end of his story.

IRJE #2 – House of Leaves

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a rather mysterious, psychological book that defies the name of narrative, and breaks the standards most books have (and any that I’ve personally read). It is, in short terms, a book within a book within another book (the actual book), though it goes much deeper than that… it focuses on multiple narratives at once: The Navidson Record (journal entries and video recordings that log a family’s move in to a new house), and Johnny Truant (a man who writes about an old man who made an essay, or a book, on The Navidson Record… which doesn’t exist, by the way). In short: the Navidsons move into a new house, that seems normal at first, but then basically deletes all laws of… everything and anything, whenever it wants, and does whatever it wants, causing the family to slowly deteriorate into a soft madness.

Oddly enough, a slight draft keeps easing one of the closet doors shut. It has an eerie effect because each time the door closes we lose sight of the children.

“Hey, would you mind propping that open with something?” Navid-son asks his brother.

Tom turns to Karen’s shelves and reaches for the largest volume he can find. A novel. Just as with Karen, its removal causes an immediate domino effect. Only this time, as the books topple into each other, the last few do not stop at the wall as they had previously done but fall instead to the floor, revealing at least a foot between the end of the shelf and the plaster.

Tom thinks nothing of it.

“Sorry.” he mumbled and leans over to pick up the scattered books. Which is exactly when Karen screams.

I really like this quote because it has some sort of connection to us as humans: how even the smallest, most inconvenient thing can hold everything together. For example, let’s put this quote into context. This is when the house first starts changing, the signs being that the inside is bigger than the outside, hence why they are so confused and not too rattled yet on the whole situation: their minds have yet to fully grasp it. When Karen first placed down that bookshelf, it was pressed to the side of the wall, and the first time the books fell, the wall had stopped it because it was close to the shelf. Karen is trying to distract herself, and bring peace to herself, trying to trick her mind into thinking nothing is strange, nothing is wrong, however, when the books fall a second time, they fall to the floor, revealing a foot of space where the wall had previously occupied, therefore proving the room is growing big on the inside. This sends Karen into distress, snapping her calm state into pieces once she is reminded that nothing, is in fact, okay. You can put this to real life situations as well. Ex. Some children are calm when given a favorite toy during stressful moments or interactions, this keeps them in a state of tranquility. If you take that toy away, they are then stripped of their means of protection, rendering them feeling bare and terrified as now there is nothing to protect and hold them together, nothing to look over the person.