Author: Rachel

Silence of the Girs – IRJE #8

I have now finished reading The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker overall, I found it to be a powerful novel. The Silence of the GirlsIt retells the story of The Iliad from Briseis’ perspective which shows the harsh realities faced by women during the war. One thing I thought the writer did very well was how the book gave Briseis a voice and added detail making her more than just a background character in The Iliad, especially, considering the significant role she plays in the storyline. Something I appreciated in this book was that it challenged the way Achilles is usually portrayed. While he had moments of kindness, the novel didn’t avoid showing the brutality and the result of his actions this helped me see Achilles in another light and gave me another perspective which I found interesting, and lastly it made me reflect on how history often overlooks the voices of women.

“And I do what countless women before me have been forced to do. I spread my legs for the man who killed my husband and my brothers. It doesn’t matter, I tell myself. It doesn’t matter.”

I found Thisquotee captured the many challenges Briseis went through throughout the story

Girl in pieces – IRJE #7

I have now finished reading Girl in Pieces. Overall, I thought it was a powerful and emotional book, and I believe the author, Kathleen Glasgow, did a great job in capturing the experiences of the characters. The way she wrote about Charlie’s trauma and healing process felt very raw and authentic, and it really drew me into the story. Despite this book having heavy themes such as mental health, abuse, and personal struggles, it was very well-written and The narrative was so vivid and detailed that I could feel Charlie’s struggles throughout reading, from her emotional pain to the moments of growth. all the characters were very well written and were all complex and relatable, and their journeys were inspiring.I was very moved by the way the author portrayed Charlie’s journey and how the book highlighted the importance of finding people who support and believe in you,

“I wanted to tell someone what had happened to me, to say the words out loud, but the words were stuck in my throat, like a thick knot of sadness I couldn’t get rid of, no matter how hard I tried.”  (p. 102)

This quote reflects Charlie’s internal conflict as she struggles to speak her truth. The words being stuck in her throat symbolize the burden she carries and show how trauma can silence someone and make it difficult to open up.

ski trip – PW #7

In two weeks, I’ll be heading to Mount Washington for the upcoming school ski trip, and I couldn’t be more excited, I’m looking forward to exploring the mountain, looking at the beautiful landscapes, going on the chairlift and the overall trip. Having skied before, I feel confident in my abilities as I’ve even taken lessons in Whistler, which have helped me significantly improve my skills. While I wouldn’t consider myself a professional skier, I’m able to navigate difficult blue and moderate black runs. During my last trip to Mount Washington, however, I faced some unexpected challenges as My friend Isabella and I were unfamiliar with the Mount Washington trails and ended up on a chairlift that took us to the top of the mountain and on a double black off-trail run. Isabella, being a more advanced skier was able to ski to the bottom easily unlike me who was struggling to go down due to being inexperienced in off-trail skiing and due to my skis constantly detaching throughout the day anytime a small amount of snow got into them causing me to fall. Thankfully, in the end, a kind stranger offered me their help and helped guide me down the mountain. This time, I’m determined to learn from my last ski trip and explore the maps in order to avoid any mishaps or accidents. I can’t wait to create many memories on this trip!

 

Personal Response to A Christmas Carol

I found A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to be a Good book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. it is a classic book with themes of kindness, and transformation, I was already familiar with the story as I used to watch the movie adaptations when I was younger, however, I found reading the book gave me a deeper appreciation for the original story. for one I found The original book to be very detailed which allowed me to discover details that were not present in the movies I watched and also allowed me to visualize what was being described in the book easily. Even though I enjoyed the detailed description in the book, I often found myself confused and unable to understand the dialogue given that it is an older story. Another aspect I enjoyed was Scrooge’s transformation. In the beginning, he is portrayed as a lonely, rude, and selfish man, often refusing to help others or even partake in the Christmas spirit. However, through his encounters with the three ghosts, he begins to reflect on his actions and their impact on those around him and By the end of the book, Scrooge becomes a completely different person, he is generous, kind, and full of life. I really liked this part of the book because it shows that even the most stubborn person can change for the better especially when they are given the chance to reflect and learn from their mistakes, It was nice to see Scrooge embrace life and find happiness through helping others and it made the ending of the book feel hopeful and was a good lesson that personal growth can always be possible. another aspect I  enjoyed was how the book was moving in many parts, making me reflect. For instance, when the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the Cratchit family’s humble Christmas dinner, it despite their poverty, the family remains happy and grateful for what they have. showing their resilience and the love they share for one another, even in difficult circumstances. This scene made me reflect on the importance of family and how easily we can take things like that for granted. Overall, I found Christmas Carol to be an interesting and impactful story that can teach you valuable lessons about kindness, and generosity change and can even cause you to reflect.

The Song of Achilles – IRJE #6

I have now finished reading The Song of Achilles. Overall, I thought it was a great book and I believe the author, Madeline Miller, did an excellent job in capturing the essence of the book and was able to bring the characters to life, which allowed me to visualize the narrative in my mind clearly, Throughout reading, I experienced a range of emotions making it very moving and although the story had a tragic ending I thought it was beautifully written and it has now become one of my favourite books and one that I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy books that are emotional, detailed and inspired by mythology.

“Everything is in the way it is, and no one will change it, no matter how hard we try.”

This quote reflects the inevitable fate and destiny of both Patroculus and Achilles

 

Christmas Poem – PW #5

 

the feeling of christmas 

The scent of pine trees so fresh and green,

adorned with twinkle lights of a golden gleam
Cookies baking, warm and sweet
The crunch of snow beneath my feet.

A fire crackling, with the stockings hung,

children waiting for midnight to come

cookies and carrots laid out front,

for santa will be coming with a thump

stars that glimmer throughout the night

oh, christmas spirit so cheerful and bright

These little things that bring Christmas alive ,
And fill my heart with a feeling of light

Song of Achilles – IRJE #5

currently i am reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller a novel inspired by the events of Iliad written by Homer currently in the novel  Achilles and Patroclus are heading to the Trojan War where achiless has been destined to fufil his duty as a great soldier along with patroculos who has chosen to come with him to the war.

“This is what Achilles will leave us, I thought. A story told by our children’s children.”

This line captures the duty and power achiless has and the role he is expected to fufill and foreshadows the longlasting legacy he will leave behind.

 

I Am Malala -IRJE #3

I Am Malala is a book written by Malala Yousafzai, a women’s rights advocate who lived during the Talibans oppressive ruling. In the book, Malala describes witnessing the Taliban taking away the education and freedom of girls in her country. Refusing to accept this, Malala began fighting for women’s right to education, making her a target of the Taliban which lead to her being shot on her way home from school. Malala having Survived the attack continued to fight for educational rights throughout the world and went on to become the youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner.

“Let us pick up our books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons.”

This qoute highlights Malala’s belief in education as a form of empowerment and how important it is.

The Song of Achilles – IRJE #4

The Song of Achilles is a novel written by Madeline Miller inspired by the events of Iliad written by Homer but instead told through the perspective of Patroclus, a young prince who has been abandoned by his father and exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. The story follows his relationship with Achilles the prince of Phithia who is the son of a king and a goddess, as they grow up together and

“He is a god, and I am only a boy. He is a golden chariot, and I am a mud-spattered cart.” – Patroclus

This quote highlights how Patroclus seems to struggle with himself compared to Achilles who has been destined to become a God and in a way can illustrate the compalexitty of growing up

My cinnamon roll recepie – PW#4

PW#4 My cinnamon roll recipe

There’s something about the smell of cinnamon rolls that makes me feel the Christmas spirit which is why they are one of my favorite seasonal desserts. although you can make them many times in the year I believe there is nothing better than enjoying a warm cinnamon roll on a snowy day, My favourite recipe has been one that I have used since I was little and it has become a tradition of mine to make these each year.

I start by mixing 1 cup of warm milk with an instant yeast packet and 1/2 cup of sugar. As the yeast begins to bloom, I add two large eggs and then a third cup of softened butter. once together I mix them all together and slowly incorporate 4 cups of flour. once the ingredients are done mixing you should be left with a thick soft dough that will not stick to your hands, I then leave the dough to rest for a few minutes and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic this will help with the rising process, once kneaded I place my dough into a bowl and cover it with a kitchen cloth to rise for 1 to 2 hours so it will double in size this is a crucial step in order to make the dough fluffy and ready to be placed in the oven. once I see that the dough has risen to the top of the bowl I roll it out on a floured surface until flat and this is when my favourite step comes, preparing the warm cinnamon sugar for the filling.
For my filling, I melt half a cup of butter and stir in 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon this is one of my favourite steps as I remember myself making this recipe with my cousins when I was younger and stealing tastes of the spread when as I would mix. I always get brought back to these moments in my childhood kitchen because the smell of the brown sugar butter cinnamon mixture is so fragrant it fills the air and is the same exact smell that would fill the room as I would make this recipe years before. once done I carefully spread the filling onto the now flattened dough and roll it inwards, once done I carefully slice the dough into circles and place it on a pan layered with parchment paper. once placed in the oven I set the heat to 375°F and this is where the most difficult time begins as you have to wait for the cinnamon rolls to bake. As I look into the oven I remember me along with my cousins lined up in front of the oven door watching as the dough turns into a beautiful golden colour which is exactly when you know to take them out! once out of the oven, I bring out my cream cheese frosting which is optional as the cinnamon rolls taste good either way. as I said before I love to pair these rolls with a cup of milk and a snowy scenery but my favorite definitely has to be surrounded by my kitchen table in Mexico during Christmas time along with my family years ago.

The Testaments – IRJE #2

The Testaments is the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale book written by Margaret Atwood, it takes place years after the events in the first book and focuses on the downfall of the society of Gilead. The story is told from the perspectives of three different women, Aunt Lydia,  a powerful member of Gilead’s government who helped shape gileads regime years before, Agnes Jemima, a young girl raised in Gilead who is being forced into an arranged marriage, and Daisy, a teenager living in Canada who learns the truth about her past and connection to Gilead. Through these three perspectives, we see many events take place, such as the creation of Gilead, the present daily life of the women and residents of Gilead, and the many plot twists and storylines which all connect together in the end including past events that happened in the previous book the handmaid’s tale.

“Knowing was a temptation. What you don’t know won’t tempt you.” – Aunt Lydia,”

The Testament This quote stood out to me because it explains how all the characters Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy are shaped and controlled by the secrets they do or don’t know.

PR to Our Town – Rachel

I found Our Town to be a meaningful play, even though I had mixed opinions about it while reading it. Initially, I felt the story lacked action as I tend to read stories with storylines and plots focused on drama and tension and many plot twists which resulted in me often waiting for something more significant to happen in the story.  However, as I continued reading, I became more engaged with the lives of the characters especially when events such as the wedding of Goerg and Emely took place As their storylines began to combine. something I also enjoyed was the use of foreshadowing from the narrator or just from the character’s actions. However, I found the ending is what really changed my mind about the book, as it left a strong impact on me. During the funeral scene, we discover that Emily has died and the story shifts, we see two perspectives those who have passed and the living, And that’s when I realized that the reason the book’s beginning focuses on the resident’s ordinary life is because is due to the foreshadowing that nobody appreciates the simple, ordinary life until it’s gone. we can see this in the end when Emily realizes all the things she is saying goodbye to. “Goodbye to clocks ticking….and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new ironed dresses and hot baths….and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize.” Overall, I thought Our Town was a good book, but it was the ending that made the book more interesting.

My Plans for my 15th Birthday – PW#3

 

My 15th birthday trip

A quinceañerais is a significant celebration in many Latin American cultures. Traditionally, it involves a party with family and friends and is a day to celebrate growing up, responsibility, and the future ahead.While some people choose the classic celebration of a party, there is also the option to go on a trip of your choosing For my birthday, I have chosen to celebrate my quinceañera by travelling to Italy! When visiting Italy, although I’m not fully decided, I believe I want to visit Rome and Venice. In Rome, I would love to explore its ancient landmarks, especially the Colosseum and the Roman Forum because they are both such beautiful landmarks with a lot of history to them which excites me as Roman history is something I’m passionate about. Something else I would like to do in Rome is visiting and tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, as it has always been a dream of mine to see it in person and I love the fountain’s architecture and its beautiful design. And lastly try traditional Roman dishes such as cacio e pepe carbonara, and also fresh pizza. In Venice, I hope to take a gondola ride through the canals, and visit sites like St. Mark’s Basilica because it is such a beautiful monument. Overall One of the most exciting parts of my trip will be my family as I have invited many of my family members, such as my aunts and cousins, Sharing this experience with my loved ones means so much to me as I’ll get to create so many unforgettable memories together with them as I explore Italy’s culture and history.I look forward to enjoying meals together, discussing our trip, and simply being together as we celebrate an important milestone in my life. Having my family by my side will make the experience even more meaningful and special and I cannot wait.

The Testaments – IRJE #1

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The Testaments is a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale book written by Margaret Atwood  The Testaments is set 15 years after the original story in the dystopian scitety of Gilead and is narrated from three different perspectives Aunt Lydia, a powerful member of Gilead’s, Agnes, a girl raised in Gilead and finally Daisy, a young woman living in Canada who learns about her connection to Gilead. This book explores many themes such as power, resistance, survival and betrayl.

Quoute “Aunt Lydia said that silence, too, was a form of power.” (Agnes, Chapter 45, Page 218) This quote stood out to me because it shows how silence can be used as a tool of control in Gilead, especially in Gilead where speech is dangerous and silence can be a way to protect yourself or maintain your position of power.

New York – PW #1

I believe every person has a city or a place they feel drawn to, and for me, it’s New York. Though I’ve never been, I’ve always imagined it as a city I was meant to be in. Maybe it’s the idea of a place that’s constantly alive with energy, The idea that everywhere you look there’s a story or a person chasing their own version of a dream. Maybe it’s because of the thought of walking down the street and hearing so many different languages and seeing so many stories unfold at once. Maybe it’s because it’s a place where everyone is free to be themselves, a place where no one looks twice, because they’re all too busy pursuing their own passions, whether it’s fashion, music, art, or anything else that drives them, a place where Nobody is afraid to be unique that it’s almost as if the city encourages it. When I think of New York, I can imagine myself exploring everything the city has to offer walking through the streets during rush hours, exploring the countless art galleries, going to Broadway shoes, going to beautiful restaurants, walking through Central Park during the fall where all the leaves have changed colours, and maybe even calling for a cab on a busy sidewalk, and finally coming to my apartment on the top floors where I’ll sit down at my sofa and just watch the city go by through my big windows. In the wise words of Frank Sinatra, “I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps.”

self introduction – Rachel MYP4

 

self introduction – Rachel MYP4

Hello, my name is Rachel, and I’m 14 years old. I live in Victoria, BC, but I was born and raised in Mexico until I was 7 years old, when I moved to Turkey. I currently attend Brookes Westshore.

some things people might know about me are I love travelling and experiencing new cultures,  I’m very sociable and I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them. In my free time, I like reading books specifically based on real life or, historical fiction, Cooking and baking, particularly from scratch, are also passions of mine, and I’m always striving to learn more. I also have a passion for fashion, history, and makeup, enjoy learning about historical events because it gives me a deeper understanding of how the world came to be and I’m always striving to learn more from it. I like Fashion because to me it’s a form of self-expression, allowing people to show who they are without saying a word. Most importantly, I love spending time with the people I care about as they make me feel happiest and it’s my favourite thing.

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my personal opinion on the Novella Master and Man – Rachel D MYP4

master and man personal opinion – Rachel MYP4

Master and Man is a Novella written by  Leo Tolstoy, it tells the story of a wealthy man named Vasili Andreyevich and Nikita his humble servant. In the story, both Nikita and Vasili embark on a journey amidst a snow storm and we read as they navigate through the challenges they face. I found this story to be well-written and thought it had many good points. For one I found the descriptive writing to be very detailed allowing me to picture everything that was being described in my head, especially during the snowstorm. I also found the character development of Vasili to be very well executed as he went from someone who was materialistic and shallow to his selfless act towards Nikita in the end. However, I would have liked more background on Vasilis’ past, particularly an explanation of how he became the person he is also At times, the story felt a bit slow, and I found myself getting lost occasionally. However, overall, it’s a great story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys tales set in historical periods and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.