Author: Avery

IRJE #4- Elvis and Me

Elvis and Me is a book written by Priscilla Presley. It explains what her life was like with Elvis Presley. The book explores their relationship, from their initial meeting when Priscilla was just 14 years old, to their marriage, life together, and eventual divorce. Their relationship was controversial due to the big age gap. Priscilla has even made a movie about their relationship to show people what Elvis Presley was actually like. Priscilla struggled to have friends while dating Elvis, and this continued even after they had a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

“You have so much to share, you have so much to tell, you have so much you want to expose, so much that’s inside that you’ve learned from that life period. There are really very few people I can share that with.” (p.116)

Priscilla Presley says this quotation. It reflects a deep sense of personal experience and wisdom. The quotation speaks to both the desire to connect with others and the challenge of finding people who can genuinely relate to one’s life journey. She believed few people understood her and appreciated what she had to offer.

IRJE #3- The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is set in the 1950s and is narrated by a young man, Holden Caufield. Holden makes it clear that he is undergoing treatment at a mental hospital after having had a rough life. Holden suffers from borderline personality disorder, which is a condition identified by an extended period of emotional irregularity. The events he narrates take place a few days between the end of the fall school term and Christmas when he is sixteen years old.

“Among other things, you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behaviour. You’re by no means alone on that score; you’ll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now.”  (p. 208-209)

This quotation is said by Mr. Antolini, who is the antagonist of the book and Holden’s former teacher. He explains this to Holden, saying he is not alone in his feeling of disgust for human behaviour, but many people have shared the same honesty about the culture they live in. Holden goes to Mr. Antonili because he feels he can trust and confide in his former teacher, however, this is the event that precipitates his breakdown. He is left unsettled and unsure.

 

PW#4- The 50s-70s

I have always loved the 50s-70s, specifically the late 50s. My sister always loved them, so naturally, I started to like them, too. The music and fashion style are my absolute favourites. I love the vintage charm and classic elegance. The 50s radiate a blend of glamour and simplicity. Of course, the 50s weren’t anywhere near perfect, but I still find this decade endearing with the polka dot dresses, beautiful hairstyles, and red lipstick. One of my favourite movies is based in the late 50s-60s! “Priscilla” is about Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s ex-wife. Not to mention, this movie is written by my favourite director, Sofia Coppola. I also love Elvis’s music, especially since my grandma and I would always watch “Blue Hawaii” together when I was younger, so his music gives me some nostalgia, of course, to an extent since he died long before I was born. For me, the 50s sound more magical and alive. Phones didn’t exist, which would probably solve most of my problems. Another thing is Audrey Hepburn. I love all of her work, and she inspires me so much. I loved her in “Roman Holiday” and the iconic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

“Our Town”- Personal Response

I found the play “Our Town” quite enjoyable. It was cool to see actors improvise with little to no props. Emily and George’s character development was charming and emotional, especially when George visited her grave. The emotions near the end made me think about the future and living in the moment. I loved the plot and the role of the stage manager; it added to the play and made it easier for the readers/audience to understand what was happening. The creator (Thorton Wilder) did a very good job of creating a play that includes multiple emotions. I think the meaning of the play is also very important. Saying that we live life without necessarily appreciating what it has to offer, which is true in my case. I didn’t understand the play while reading it, but once we watched it, it all made sense, which I’m happy about. I love that it had no violence and simply just showed the readers/viewers what it was like to live in Grovers Corner, but the author still made it interesting to read and watch. The play highlights the importance of family, community and ordinary life which I also think is very important.

IRJE #2- What Would Audrey Do?

 What Would Audrey Do? a book written by Pamela Clarke Keogh. It is a lifestyle guide that explores how Audrey Heburn’s timeless elegance, kindness and poise behaviour can inspire modern women. Through anecdotes and lessons from Audrey’s life, the book offers advice on fashion, relationships, grace, and self-care. It delves into her approach to challenges, personal style, and values like generosity and empathy, encouraging readers to embody her sophistication and kindness in their own lives. The book paints Audrey as more than just a Hollywood icon but a role model for living a graceful and fulfilling life.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. I have learned how to live and be in the world and of the world.” (p.148)

Audrey Hepburn was a loving mother to two boys. She has inspired many women, including me. She believed nothing was impossible and you should always follow your dreams. She also believed inside beauty was more important than outside beauty, which I find truly inspiring.  In this quotation, she explains that not only is helping others important, but also helping yourself.

PW#3- Favourite Movie

My favourite movie is the “Devil Wears Prada”. This movie is about a young adult who is an intern at a very big fashion magazine “Runway”. The movie takes inspiration from Vogue because the editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour, is known to be very judemental and she would always wear Prada. Meryl Streep played Miranda who is the editor-in-chief of Runway. Andrea Sachs, who is portaryed by Anne Hathway is an intern at Runway but is not interested in fashion. She struggles to be liked by Miranda and the people around her due to her lack of knowledge when it comes to the Runway magazine. Nigel, who is one of Runways leading fashion authorities, helps Andrea and gives her a pep talk. Andrea then ends up becoming Mirandas first assistant rather than her second and gets to travel to Paris for Fashion Week, stealing that opportunity from Emily who used to be Mirandas first assistant. In the end, Andrea ends up leaving because she didnt want to become the person that manipulates her friends just to get ahead. I love this movie not only because of fashion, but also because of the meaning behind it. No matter how hard it was to get it or how many people wish they had it, you are well within youre rights to leave a job that isn’t working for you.

PW#2- London

I have always found so much peace in London. Although they have quite a lot of crime, it is still one of my favourite, if not my favourite, city. The idea of living in Kensington sounds like the perfect life to me. I love the architecture they have as well. London’s neighbourhoods each have their distinct character, whether it’s the bohemian vibe of Camden or the upscale elegance of Kensington. London’s multicultural atmosphere, bustling markets, and endless opportunities make it a unique and exciting place to live. Ever since I visited in the summer, it’s truly all I have been thinking about. Some of my favourite movies were filmed there, such as Notting Hill, and Mamma Mia (only a small fraction of it was filmed there). I also love the amount of opportunities it brings. They have some of the most prestigious universities as well. In the end, living in London sounds perfect.

IRJE #1- Coco Chanel

“Coco Chanel, An Essence of Mystery” written by Isabelle Fiemeyer. Coco Chanel is the founder and namesake of the luxurious brand Chanel. She had a brief career as a signer before her first clothing shop opened in 1910. She grew up in a time when women were expected to wear confining pieces, but her goal was to design classy articles of clothing that were fashionable but also comfortable. Instead of offering corsets and lace frills, she designed wide-leg pants and sailor shirts.

“It’s not the appearance, It’s the essence.

It’s not the money, It’s the education.

It’s not the clothes; It’s the class”

This quote is special because Coco Chanel would say it all the time. She has made a fashion staple and inspired many women to do the same. Her clothes have revolutionized the fashion industry. She may not be alive anymore, but her legacy still stands strong and holds value throughout people’s lives.

PW#1- My favourite season

My favorite season is either fall or spring. I cannot really handle hot temperatures, so summer is my least favorite. However, I enjoy summer when I’m anywhere but Canada because I love to explore new countries. I love it when the leaves on trees turn pink or red, I think it’s so beautiful. I find summer miserable on a muggy day because it’s too hot to do anything. I find winter beautiful only when it snows, especially if it’s fresh snow. Spring is my favorite because it’s when all the flowers start to bloom, and the temperature is perfect, not too hot, not too cold. My birthday is also in the spring so that just adds to it. Fall is also my favorite because it’s like a mix between winter and summer, but better. I’m not the biggest fan of halloween because I dont really like horror but I love fall. Fall and spring both have amazing qualities which makes me like them so much. 

My personal opinion on “Master and Man”

I enjoyed Leo Tolstoys “Master and Man” novel to a certain extent. I believe it is a fantastic novel for those who enjoy a good fictional story about the bygone days, like me. However, I did not find this particular one amusing to read, as I had a hard time understanding what the story was about. When the story started to progress and get more interesting near the end, I enjoyed it more and more and started to understand who the characters were and what effect they had on the story. The end of the story was a good way to end the book because it showed that Vasili could be a somewhat good person and, despite all of the egotistical behaviour, he still saved Nikita’s life by laying on top of Nikita to keep him warm. The subtle humour made the story more enjoyable and made it feel more like real life rather than just a fictional book. I would’ve liked to know more about Vasili’s past and how he came to be. I feel like it would enrich the story to make it more enjoyable.

My Introduction!

Hello! My name is Avery Adamschek. I was born in Vancouver on May 20th, 2010. My family and I moved to Victoria when I was around 3-4 years old to be with the rest of my family. I have a dog, Kona. He is a labradoodle which is a Labrador and doodle mixed. My favourite colour is light pink because it reminds me of my favourite flowers which are peonies. My dream is to move to Paris when I’m older. Paris is rich in culture and art, two things I love. I also think it has a lot of amazing job opportunities. I love fashion, vogue, shopping, poems, and tea! I love to visit new places, especially when it’s a city.