A Paragraph about my Plans for the Summer

Amita Bose
May 25, 2009

TS Even though I plan to start many new journeys this summer, I am delighted to revisit something old, the camp I attended last summer. SD Going to camp presents a golden opportunity: a chance to meet new people. CM Every person you meet at camp is unique and interesting, and there is an unblemished chance to start a friendship. CM You never know who will become your best friend or your worst enemy, but it is certain you will discover many friends and foes among the throngs of new people. SD Also, I am ecstatic to be reunited with some of the friends I met last year. CM Two of my best friends from last summer will be there, and I know we will have a great time. CM I have happy memories, sad memories, and hilarious memories of my friends from last year, and I cannot wait to make new memories with them. CS I am thrilled to be going back to my camp, and I am counting down the days until I can jump in the car, drive there, and have an amazing three weeks.

A Poem about the phrase "Idle with Impunity"

Long days stretching on with no end in sight.
Waking up late,
Eating breakfast languidly,
Wandering about the yard,
Laying in the grass while the blue sky swirls overhead.
Spending hours on the phone, talking about nothing with a friend,
Staying up late for no reason at all.
These are the days I live for.
No interruptions, no disturbances, no disruptions.
Just me and those long, long days.

A Poem about "A Windstorm in the Forest"

We leave; we come back
Again and again and again.
Each time moving a little bit farther,
reaching for something off in the distance,
but we always return to our roots,
to where it all began.
We may stretch for a dream, just beyond our grasp,
sometimes feeling as though the strain will rip us from our roots,
but we snap back up,
to our homes.
We spring up from the ground and stand tall and safe where we started;
Just like a tree swaying in a windstorm.

Polished Essay on the theme of "The Great Stone Face"

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
May 15, 2009

The Eternal Search:
An Essay about the theme of “The Great Stone Face”

Every day of our lives we search for something. May that thing be a lost sock, a misplaced treasure, or true love, we always scour every inch of our worlds to find the ever elusive object. But we never realize that what we seek is closer than we think (frag). In the short story “The Great Stone Face” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and in my life, this message holds true.
TS In the story “The Great Stone Face”, the reader discovers the message that you need not look far to find what you seek. SD For example, Ernest, the protagonist, spent years searching for the likeness of the Great Stone Face, but he never realized that it was actually

himself (compound). CM Ernest searched all around for the likeness but was rewarded with nothing but “failure [for his] hopes.” CM He never took the time to look at and in himself, so he did not realize that he was the likeness of the stone face, until a poet remarked that he was. SD Just as Ernest never realized that he was the likeness, the townspeople never realized this either. CM The townsfolk looked for and expected the likeness to be a young, healthy, wealthy man with a “majestic image.” CM They never looked at the men around them, so they never realized that Ernest embodied the characteristics of the Great Stone Face. CS This story tells you that you whatever you seek will always be closer than you expect.
TS Similarly to Ernest and the townspeople, I once searched high and low for something. That something was a best friend, whom I searched for when I started Pine Point in first

grade (complex). SD On the first day of school, I felt lonely and unsure of myself, so I began my search for a best friend. CM I tried to be best friends with every girl in the class, but I soon realized that that was not the way go. CM It seemed that everyone already had a best friend, and after realizing this I felt more alone than ever. SD One day after many weeks of hunting for a best friend, I had a revelation. I realized that I already had best friend. CM My best friend was the girl whom I always returned to after spending time with someone else. CM She was the one who I shared my secrets with, the one who had always been standing next to me, the one who I had never noticed was there. CS The person I had spent many arduous hours searching for had been next to me all along.
Every day of our lives we search for something. May that thing be the likeness of a stone face on a mountainside or a best friend to share our lives
with (frag). We search every corner of our worlds but earn no victories or rewards for our efforts. So before you squander hours away, look next to yourself, for you will surely find what you seek.

1st Body Paragraph on the theme of "The Great Stone Face"

Amita Bose

May 12, 2009

TS In the story “The Great Stone Face”, the reader discovers the message that you need not look far to find what you seek. SD Ernest, the protagonist, spent years searching for the likeness of the Great Stone Face, but he never realized that it was actually himself. CM Ernest searched all around for the likeness but was rewarded with nothing but “failure [for his] hopes”. CM He never took the time to look at and in himself, so he did not realize that he was the likeness of the stone face, until a poet remarked that he was, in fact, “the likeness of the Great Stone Face”. SD Just as Ernest never realized that he was the likeness, the townspeople never realized this either. CM The townsfolk looked for and expected the likeness to be a young, healthy, wealthy man with a “majestic image”. CM They never looked at the men around them, so they never realized that Ernest embodied the characteristics of the Great Stone Face. CS This story tells you that you whatever you seek will be closer than you expect.

Graphic Organizer of an Essay about the theme of "The Great Stone Face"

Introduction
1st Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence - theme is that you need not look far to find what you seek
SD - Ernest searched all around for the likeness; it was him
CM - he searched around the lands to find the likenss of the stone face
CM - never looked and realized that it was himself until the poet showed him
SD - the townspeople were searching for a young, handsome man but it was their friend
Ernest
CM - they expected a wealthy, young man from far away
CM - never realized that it was Ernest, who they had lived among them for their entire
lives
Concluding Sentence
2nd Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence - when I started Pine Point in 1st grade, I was searching for a best friend
SD - tried to be best friends with many people
CM - seemed like everbody had a best friend already
CM -nobody wanted to be my best friend
SD - realized that I already had a best friend
CM -the person that I always talked to
CM - went to that person with all of my thoughts and feelings; I was searching for a
best friend but she was right next to me
Concluding Sentence
Concluding Paragraph

A Polished Essay about the theme of "Traveling through the Dark" and my life

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
May 7, 2009

The Right Choice:
An Essay about the theme of “Traveling through the Dark” and my Life

The choice between chocolate and vanilla ice cream (frag). The choice between life and death (frag). The choice between fulfilling your dreams and pleasing others (frag). Which one would you choose? Throughout our lives, in every hour, day, month and year, there are choices that we must make. We must carefully weigh each option and select the one that we feel is just. This message presents itself in the poem “Traveling through the Dark” by William Stafford and in my life.
TS In the poem “Traveling through the Dark”, the narrator, Stafford, stumbled upon a dead, pregnant deer in the night and had to make the ultimate decision: to push the deer into the ravine below or not. TS After wrestling with his conscience and thoughts for a moment, Stafford pushed the deer into the canyon, not because he wished to do so, but because it was the right thing to do. SD In the poem, Stafford tells us that “to swerve [on the road] might make more dead”. CM When he found the deer, he had to consider not only his wishes, but the welfare of his fellow travelers who might have hit the slain doe.
CM Even though Stafford had no desire to push the deer over the edge, he realized that he had to sacrifice a small piece of his conscience for the safety of other people. SD Furthermore, Stafford learned that the deer was pregnant when he accidentally brushed her side and felt the warmth of her fawn as it “lay there waiting”. CM The discovery of the unborn fawn added yet another point for William Stafford to consider as he made his decision. CM He had to “think had for [all]” and ponder what the fawn’s life would bring without a mother, and if it was even possible for the fawn to live. CM Stafford realized that it would be a kinder deed to end the fawn’s suffering before it began, so he pushed the deer, with her unborn fawn, into the canyon. CS The decision that Mr. Stafford had to make on that dark night on that desolate road was a truly difficult one, but he had to follow his heart and trust that it would lead him to the right decision.
TS Similarly to the difficult decision that William Stafford had to make in “Traveling Through the Dark”, I recently had to make a tough decision. TS One Sunday in late March, a friend called me and asked me to come over to her house, and even though I desperately wanted to go, I declined her offer because I had to write a paper that was due the next day. SD I had not seen this friend for over a month, and I yearned for her company, but I realized that the paper I had to write was just more important. CM I could have spent the day enjoying the happiness in life with a good friend, but I chose to write my paper instead. CM I realized that it would be negligent to put off my homework for even one more hour, so I made my decision, no matter how much I wished for the carefree freedom of a day with a friend.

SD Also, when I was making my decision, I had to consider what would be best for me in the long run. CM Even though a day spent with my friend would have brought a burst of pure joy into my life, a burst cannot last forever. CM I realized that my burst of happiness would soon wane away and the daunting task of writing an entire paper in one night would be on me. CS When I was choosing between a paper and a friend, I used my mind to come to the right decision, even though I may have not been exceedingly happy about my choice at the time.
The choice between rolling a dead doe into a canyon and leaving her there for someone else (frag). The choice between enjoying the company of a friend and writing a paper (frag). From sunrise to sunset every day of our lives, we must make endless decisions, but we can always trust that we will choose the right option. If we listen to our hearts and heed our minds when we are making these decisions, we shall know that we have chosen truly and correctly.
* * *
Self-Assessment
1) Writing the second chunk in the second body paragraph took the most time because I couldn’t think of another different point to make.

2) After I wrote the first- draft of this essay, I read through it again and tried to eliminate all unnecessary words.

3) I think that the best part of this essay is the opening paragraph because I feel that it has a good hook and introduces the topic of the essay well.

4) I feel that my entire second body paragraph could still be improved because the sentences feel too long and choppy.

An Essay about the theme of "Traveling Through the Dark"

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
May 4, 2009

The Right Choice:
An Essay about the theme of “Traveling Through the Dark” and my life

The choice between chocolate and vanilla ice cream (frag). The choice between life and death (frag). The choice between fulfilling your dreams and pleasing others (frag). Which one would you choose? Throughout our lives, in every hour, day, month and year, there are choices that we must make. We must carefully weigh each option and select the one that we feel is just. This message presents itself in the poem “Traveling Through the Dark” and in my life.
TS In the poem “Traveling Through the Dark” by William Stafford, the narrator, Stafford, stumbled upon a dead, pregnant deer in the night and had to make the ultimate decision: to push the deer into the ravine below or not. TS After wrestling with his conscience and thoughts for a moment, Stafford pushed the deer into the canyon, not because he wished to do so, but because it was the right thing to do. SD In the poem, Stafford tells us that “to swerve [on the road] might make more dead”. CM When he found the deer, he had to consider not only his wishes, but the welfare of his fellow travelers who might have hit the slain doe.
CM Even though Stafford had no desire to push the deer over the edge, he realized that he had to sacrifice a small piece of his conscience for the safety of other people. SD Furthermore, Stafford learned that the deer was pregnant when he accidentally brushed her side and felt the warmth of her fawn as it “lay there waiting”. CM The discovery of the unborn fawn added yet another point for William Stafford to consider as he made his decision. CM He had to “think had for [all]” and ponder what the fawn’s life would bring without a mother, and if it was even possible for the fawn to live. CM Stafford realized that it would be a kinder deed to end the fawn’s suffering before it began, so he pushed the deer, with her unborn fawn, into the canyon. CS The decision that Mr. Stafford had to make on that dark night on that desolate road was a truly difficult one, but he had to follow his heart and trust that it would lead him to the right decision.
TS Similarly to the difficult decision that William Stafford had to make in “Traveling Through the Dark”, I recently had to make a tough decision. TS One Sunday in late March, a friend called me and asked me to come over to her house, and even though I desperately wanted to go, I declined her offer because I had to write a paper that was due the next day. SD I had not seen this friend for over a month, and I yearned for her company, but I realized that the paper I had to write was just more important. CM I could have spent the day enjoying the happiness in life with a good friend, but I chose to write my paper instead. CM I realized that it would be negligent to put off my homework for even one more hour, so I made my decision, no matter how much I wished for the carefree freedom of a day with a friend. SD Also, when I was making my decision, I had to consider what would be best for me in the long run. CM Even though a day spent with my friend would have brought a burst of pure joy into my life, a burst cannot last forever. CM I realized that my burst of happiness would soon wane away and the daunting task of writing an entire paper in one night would be on me. CS When I was choosing between a paper and a friend, I used my mind to come to the right decision, even though I may have not been exceedingly happy about my choice at the time.
The choice between rolling a dead doe into a canyon and leaving her there for someone else (frag). The choice between enjoying the company of a friend and writing a paper (frag). From sunrise to sunset every day of our lives, we must make endless decisions, but we can always trust that we will choose the right option. If we listen to our hearts and heed our minds when we are making these decisions, we shall know that we have chosen the truly, fairly, and justly.

The First Body Paragraph about an Essay on the theme of "Traveling Through the Dark" by William Stafford

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
May 4, 2009


An Essay about the theme of “Traveling Through the Dark”

TS In the poem “Traveling Through the Dark” by William Stafford, the narrator, Stafford, stumbled upon a dead, pregnant deer in the night and had to make the ultimate decision: to push the deer into the ravine below or not. TS After wrestling with his conscience and thoughts for a moment, Stafford pushed the deer into the canyon, not because he wished to do so, but because it was the right thing to do. SD In the poem, Stafford tells us that “to swerve [on the road] might make more dead”. CM When he found the deer, he had to consider not only his wishes, but the welfare of his fellow travelers who might have stumbled upon the slain doe.
CM Even though Stafford had no desire to push the deer over the edge, he realized that he had to sacrifice a small piece of his conscience for the wellbeing of other people. SD Furthermore, Stafford learned that the deer was pregnant when he accidentally brushed her side and felt the warmth of her fawn as it “lay there waiting”. CM The discovery of the unborn fawn added yet another point for William Stafford to consider as he made his decision. CM He had to “think had for [all]” and ponder what the fawn’s life would bring without a mother, and if it was even possible for the fawn to live. CM Stafford realized that it would be a kinder deed to end the fawn’s suffering before it began, so he pushed the deer, with her unborn fawn, into the canyon. CS The decision that Mr. Stafford had to make on that dark night on that desolate road was a truly difficult one, but he had to follow his heart and trust that it would lead him to the right decision.

A Polished Essay about the theme of "Happiness"

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
May 3, 2009

A Shifting Sun:
An Essay about the theme of “Happiness”

Sometimes the bright, golden sun (n) is obscured by a thick cover of dreary, grey clouds (n). The sun disappears behind (prep.) these clouds without warning (dependant clause) and leaves us cold and desolate, longing for its warmth and comfort. But we can seek solace in the fact that eventually these clouds while float away, and our sun will shine upon us once more. In the poem “Happiness” by Jane Kenyon, Kenyon describes how we must let happiness go and trust that it shall eventually find us again, just as we must let the sun go, trusting that it will return.
TS Artfully hidden among (prep.) the beautiful phrases (n) and graceful truths of the poem “Happiness”, the message (n) that happiness shall return lives (periodic sentence). SD Kenyon likens happiness to the prodigal’s son (n), who returned home after (prep.) “[squandering] a fortune away”. CM The prodigal’s son left his birth place to see the world and returned a man with little money (n), but he gained wisdom during his travels. CM Likewise, happiness shall go as it pleases, but we must realize that it will always return. CM The comings and goings of happiness teach us to appreciate the feeling of bliss while it graces us with its presence, just as the prodigal’s son learned about the world when he stepped beyond the walls of his home (loose sentence). SD Also, happiness will “[inquire] at every door until he finds you asleep . . . as you often are during . . . your despair”. CM We need not seek happiness, for if we try to, we will find that it is ever elusive. CM We must trust that happiness will eventually find us (dependent clause), even “during the unmerciful hours of [our] despair”. SD This message proved true when my grandfather passed away when I was seven years old. CM The grief was stunning, and I couldn’t seem to sense anything but the crushing feeling of sorrow. CM I remember that I ran to the window, wildly (adv) hoping that I would see my grandfather’s soul floating among the snow laden branches, but as I stared out the window, I saw two small children joyfully (adv) tumbling about in a snow drift ( active voice). CM I could faintly hear their shouts of laughter and excitement, and as I stood there, feeling my excruciating sorrow, I was suddenly touched by the children’s happiness. CM They were floating in their own world of pure bliss (active voice). CM Knowing that they were so happy raised my spirits as well. CS Happiness shall come and go as it pleases, but we must put our faith in the fact that it shall always return, no matter who we are, where we are, or what our lives have brought us.
The sun disappears behind an impenetrable wall of clouds; happiness leaves our minds, bodies, and souls. The sun breaks through the wall to shine once more; happiness searches high and low until it finds us. The sun sheds its light onto every person and thing on this earth, just as happiness is experienced by every person and thing. Whether you are a little boy playing in a driveway with your trucks, an old woman watching the world, or the pencil on a student’s desk, you shall know what it is like to have happiness, to lose happiness, and to have happiness find you again.

* * *
Self-Assessment
1) The introductory paragraph took the most time to write because I couldn’t think of an interesting way to hook the reader and express the point of the essay.

2) When I was polishing this essay, I realized that there were many misused words and grammatical mistakes, so I corrected those errors from the first draft.

3) I feel that the best part of this essay is the last chunk of the body paragraph because I feel that it is very descriptive and flows well.

4) I feel that the first chunk of the body paragraph could still be improved because it seems a bit choppy and some phrases seem unnecessary.

My Entire Essay on the theme of "Happiness"

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
April 29, 2009

A Shifting Sun:
An Essay about the theme of “Happiness”

Sometimes the bright, golden sun is obscured by a thick cover of dreary, grey clouds. The sun disappears behind these clouds without warning, and leaves us cold and desolate, longing for its warmth and comfort. But we can seek solace in the fact that eventually these clouds while float away, and our sun will shine upon us once more. In the poem “Happiness” by Jane Kenyon, Kenyon describes how we must let happiness go and trust that it shall eventually find us again, just as we must let the sun go, trusting that it will return.
TS Artfully hidden among the beautiful phrases and graceful truths of Jane Kenyon’s poem “Happiness”, the message that happiness shall return, lives. SD Kenyon likens happiness to the prodigal’s son, who returned home after “[squandering] a fortune away”. CM The prodigal’s son left his birth place to see the world and returned a man with little money, but he gained wisdom during his travels. CM Likewise, happiness shall go as it pleases, but we must realize that it will always return. CM The comings and goings of happiness teach us to appreciate the feeling of bliss while it graces us with its presence, just as the prodigal’s son learned about the world when he stepped beyond the walls of his home. SD Also, happiness will “[inquire] at every door until he finds you asleep . . . as you often are during . . . your despair”. CM We need not seek happiness, for if we try to, we will find that it is ever elusive. CM We must trust that happiness will eventually find us, even during our darkest hour. SD This message proved true when my grandfather passed away when I was seven years old. CM The grief was stunning, and I couldn’t seem to sense anything but the crushing feeling of sorrow. CM I remember that I ran to the window, wildly hoping that I would see my grandfather’s soul floating among the snow laden branches, but as I stared out the window, I saw two small children tumbling about in a snow drift. CM I could faintly hear their shouts of laughter and joy, and as I stood there, feeling my excruciating sorrow, I was suddenly touched by the children’s happiness. CM They were floating in their own world of pure bliss, and knowing that they were so happy raised my spirits as well. CS Happiness shall come and go as it pleases, but we must put our faith in the fact that it shall always return, no matter who we are, where we are, or what our lives have brought us.
The sun disappears behind an impenetrable wall of clouds; happiness leaves our minds, bodies, and souls. The sun breaks through the wall to shine once more; happiness searches high and low until it finds us. The sun sheds it light onto every person and things on this earth, just as happiness is experiences by every person and thing. Whether you are a little boy playing in a driveway with your trucks, an old woman watching the world, or the pencil on a student’s desk, you shall now what it is like to have happiness, to lose happiness, and to have happiness find you again.

The Body Paragraph of my Essay about "Happiness"

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
April 28, 2009

TS Artfully hidden among the beautiful phrases and graceful truths of Jane Kenyon’s poem “Happiness”, the message that happiness shall return, lives. SD Kenyon likens happiness to the prodigal’s son, who returned home after “[squandering] a fortune away”. CM The prodigal’s son left his birth place to see the world and returned a man with little money, but he gained wisdom during his travels. CM Likewise, happiness shall go as it pleases, but we must realize that it will always return. CM The comings and goings of happiness teach us to appreciate the feeling of bliss while it graces us with its presence, just as the prodigal’s son learned about the world when he stepped beyond the walls of his home. SD Also, happiness will “[inquire] at every door until he finds you asleep . . . as you often are during . . . your despair”. CM We need not seek happiness, for if we try to, we will find that it is ever elusive. CM We must trust that happiness will eventually find us, even during our darkest hour. SD This message proved true when my grandfather passed away when I was seven years old. CM The grief was stunning, and I couldn’t seem to sense anything but the crushing feeling of sorrow. CM I remember that I ran to the window, wildly hoping that I would see my grandfather’s soul floating among the snow laden branches, but as I stared out the window, I saw two small children tumbling about in a snow drift. CM I could faintly hear their shouts of laughter and joy, and as I stood there, feeling my excruciating sorrow, I was suddenly touched by the children’s happiness. CM They were floating in their own world of pure bliss, and knowing that they were so happy raised my spirits as well. CS Happiness shall come and go as it pleases, but we must put our faith in the fact that it shall always return, no matter who we are, where we are, or what our lives have brought us.

The Body Paragraph of my Essay about "Happiness"

Amita Bose
English 8
Mr. Salsich
April 28, 2009

TS Artfully hidden among the beautiful phrases and graceful truths of Jane Kenyon’s poem “Happiness”, the message that happiness shall return, lives. SD Kenyon likens happiness to the prodigal’s son, who returned home after “[squandering] a fortune away”. CM The prodigal’s son left his birth place to see the world and returned a man with little money, but he gained wisdom during his travels. CM Likewise, happiness shall go as it pleases, but we must realize that it will always return. CM The comings and goings of happiness teach us to appreciate the feeling of bliss while it graces us with its presence, just as the prodigal’s son learned about the world when he stepped beyond the walls of his home. SD Also, happiness will “[inquire] at every door until he finds you asleep . . . as you often are during . . . your despair”. CM We need not seek happiness, for if we try to, we will find that it is ever elusive. CM We must trust that happiness will eventually find us, even during our darkest hour. SD This message proved true when my grandfather passed away when I was seven years old. CM The grief was stunning, and I couldn’t seem to sense anything but the crushing feeling of sorrow. CM I remember that I ran to the window, wildly hoping that I would see my grandfather’s soul floating among the snow laden branches, but as I stared out the window, I saw two small children tumbling about in a snow drift. CM I could faintly hear their shouts of laughter and joy, and as I stood there, feeling my excruciating sorrow, I was suddenly touched by the children’s happiness. CM They were floating in their own world of pure bliss, and knowing that they were so happy raised my spirits as well. CS Happiness shall come and go as it pleases, but we must put our faith in the fact that it shall always return, no matter who we are, where we are, or what our lives have brought us.

A Poem about the Vietnam War Memorial

A Poem Written after Visiting the Vietnam War Memorial (April 16, 2009)

See the names, wonder what the people were like.

Were they young and married?

Or old and alone?

Did they have a house full of brothers and sisters?

Or did they grow up in an empty room?

You see the names and try to make faces

Black hair, green eyes, blonde hair, brown eyes, red hair, blue eyes, brown hair, hazel eyes

Which combination?

Tall or short?

Lean or muscular?

See the names, imagine the people.

A Poem about the Vietnam War Memorial

A Poem Written after Visiting the Vietnam War Memorial (April 16, 2009)

Stand and see the names,

silver on black,

they seem to sparkle,

seem to call to you.

Stand and touch the names,

bumpy, smooth, bumpy, smooth.

So many names in each row;

row by row they spill down the wall.

The black slabs stretch on forever, into the bright sky and beyond.

Stand and hear the names,

hear them laugh, cry, shout.

Hear the names fight for you, die for you.

Sense the names.

And let them come alive.

A Poem about the National Mall

A Poem Written on the National Mall (April 16, 2009)

The Washington Monument and the Capitol stand tall at either end,

the clouds swirl by in the blue, blue sky,

and the carousel thinkers along.

The pigeons peck at the grey walkways,

the tourists with cameras click away,

And the wind blows gently through the green, green grass.

The cherry blossoms open to reveal pink bursts

The flag stands proud and ripples in the breeze,

and I feel at peace.

Haiku on the Holocaust

Haiku after the Holocaust Museum (April 15, 2009)

the unthinkable

too many innocent souls

the bird still flies though

Collaboration Poem with Maddie Denison

Collaboration Poem (April 15, 2009)

long, long bus ride,

sitting, sipping Starbucks,

listening to hundreds of songs,

going "around the bend" of the road,

all smushed together in the back of the bus,

laughing, smiling, and stories that are sputtered through the giggles,

long, long, long bus ride!

Paragraph about "Expostulation and Reply"

Amita Bose
Mr. Salsich
English 8
April 8, 2009

No Matter What:
A Paragraph about the Theme of “Expostulation and Reply”
TS When we are sitting in a classroom, when we are playing outdoors, or when we are reading magazines, we are always learning essential facts and skills. SD In the poem “Expostulation and Reply” by William Wordsworth, it is stated that “we can feed [our minds] in a wise passiveness”. CM This means that we can learn by sitting and observing, and we do not always have to actively partake in an activity to learn. CM Sitting back allows us to perceive the world around us through different eyes, and we can discover a new dimension to our world if we study it from afar. SD Further more, in a world of “things forever speaking”, we need not look far to find knowledge. CM Our surroundings are always teaching us, whether we realize it or not. CM Our surroundings are always laying out facts for us to stumble upon, so we have no need to endure arduous journeys to gain knowledge. SD Finally, if we study our world, we will find things that cannot be put into words, things that cannot be recorded in books. CM Books are written to teach us solid facts, but some parts of this world cannot be defined by words or phrases. CM A person cannot describe the magic of a cool stream running peacefully through a grassy field while butterflies flit overhead. CM A person cannot capture the amazement of watching the sky turn from the dark of a starless night to the light of a breaking dawn. CM For these things, we must watch our world and accept the knowledge that rushes towards us from every direction. CS We, the people on this earth, are learning through every breath and step we take, through every glance we cast, and through everything we read and touch. CS We are always learning, whether we realize it or not.

"Unlighted Lamps" Paragraph

Amita Bose
Mr. Salsich
English 8
March 12, 2009

Words Unsaid, Lamps Unlit:
A Paragraph about the Title of the Short Story, Unlighted Lamps

TS In a relationship, if words remained locked away, the relationship will forever remain lifeless, loveless, and filled with darkness, just like an unlit lamp. SD In the short story, Unlighted Lamps, by Sherwood Anderson, the main character, Mary Cochran, must endure an unlit relationship with her father, Lester Cochran. CM Lester has never been able to express his true emotions and thoughts to his only daughter, but then again, he has never genuinely attempted this small feat. CM Because of his lack of effort, both Mary and Lester had to endure years of their strained, uncomfortable relationship, and when Lester finally decided to “light the lamp”, it was too late. SD Similarly, Lester and his ex-wife Ellen had to suffer through years of a loveless, unlit marriage that trapped them both , because Lester was unable to share his feelings with Ellen. CM This lack of light in their marriage suffocated both Ellen and Lester, for Ellen yearned for a marriage filled with excitement and love, while Lester wished to be able to share his emotions and thoughts with his wife, but could not bring himself to expose his heart and mind. CM Eventually, Ellen left Lester with his blessings because they were unable to light the lamp that was their marriage. CS Every person can learn a lesson from the short story, Unlighted Lamps. The lesson is to never wait to ignite the flame of a relationship, never allow anything to blow out the light of a connection, and never doubt how important a “lit lamp” is in a bond.

Paragraph about the Theme of "The White Heron"

Amita Bose
February 26, 2009

Freedom:
A Paragraph about the theme of The White Heron

TS The White Heron, by Sarah Orne Jewett, tells the tale of a young girl named Sylvia and what she experienced when a young man came to her, seeking help in his hunt for the elusive white heron. TS This short story possesses many themes, but the one that truly jumped of the pages and into my mind and heart, was the thought that freedom must be cherished and preserved. SD The white heron that was hunted by the young ornithologist was an uninhibited bird; free to fly with “steady sweep of wing and outstretched neck”, whenever it pleased. CM Sylvia saw the heron in its natural habitat at the crack of sunrise, as a faint pink stained the sky, and the bird flew majestically in the dawn of a new day. CM Only after observing this event did Sylvia realize how treasured the bird’s freedom was, and she took it upon herself to protect the heron’s secret. SD In the same manner, Sylvia came precariously close to losing her freedom to the young ornithologist, who stumbled upon her grandmother’s house as he was searching for the white heron. CM Sylvia was drawn to the young man, and she fancied that she could even love him. CM She was willing to abandon her freedom in order to “[follow] him and [love] him as a dog loves”. CM Eventually Sylvia realized that to follow the man would be a grave mistake, and she chose to cherish her freedom instead. SD Lastly, Sylvia found freedom at her grandmother’s house, which was located in the middle of endless woodlands. CM She felt trapped in the manufacturing town she lived in before, and the towering buildings that hid the sunlight and glorious woodlands made her crave for the open, unblemished expanses of New England. CM Only when Sylvia came to her grandmother’s house did she feel liberated as she roamed the sunlight pastures, watched the woodland creatures scurry in the brush, and heard the sweet calls of spring birds. CS The elegant words and beautiful sentences of The White Heron, weave together to form this message: treasure and relish freedom.

Assessment Jouranl - Entry #7

Amita Bose
1/29/2009

Assessment Journal – Seventh Entry
Today as I walked quietly through the halls of Academy Point, I passed several residents and then proceeded to exchange pleasantries with them. After the “hellos”, I would ask them how they were doing and almost all of them replied, “okay”. After I had heard this reply three times in a row from different residents, I began to wonder why they were only “okay” and not “good” or “great”. I realized that the residents as Academy Point might miss their families, whom they didn’t see every day anymore. Perhaps they missed the sound of their grandchildren’s laughter. Also, it could be the trials and tribulations of old age that made them only “okay”. One of the residents I talked to was hobbling down the hallway with a walker, and she seemed determined to make it to the other end without stopping. It was clear that she had a problem with her legs, and she might have been in pain. Perhaps it was the pains and problems that made the residents only “okay”. Whatever the reason is for the residents being “okay”, I am committed to helping them, or doing something for them, which will make them reply “great” when asked how they are. This is my goal: to make the residents and Academy Point have an extraordinary day.

Ending of "Of Mice and Men" Essay

Amita Bose
Mr. Salsich
English 8
January 31, 2009

Decisions:
An Essay Discussing George’s Decision at the end of Of Mice and Men

Decisions can be made when your mind and soul are at peace or during times of great tribulation. Decisions can be of the most trivial sort, or they can change your life and yourself forever. No matter when or how significant decisions are, they are always tremendously difficult to make and will result in hours spent pondering whether or not you chose the correct option. In the novel by John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, the character George must make the ultimate decision: to either hand Lennie, his best friend, over to an irate mob or kill him before the other men can. In the moments after he made his decision and pulled the trigger of the gun pressed to Lennie’s head, George was haunted by the possibility that he hadn’t made the right decision, but in my opinion, George did the best, most humane, and loving thing possible.
TS George loved Lennie like a brother, and in shooting Lennie, he shot a part of himself, but George did what he did for Lennie, and no one else. SD Lennie’s last words to George were, “Le’s do it now. Le’s get that place now,” as he spoke of the farmhouse he yearned to own with George. CM When Lennie asked George if they could, “get that place now”, he was not asking for a farmhouse with rabbits and alfalfa, but for a place where he could finally lay down the burdens of hate and prejudice he had carried for his entire life. CM In shooting him, George granted Lennie’s last wish, and delivered him to a quiet, accepting place where he could live equally among others and tend as many rabbits as he wished to forever. SD Also, George saved Lennie from the appalling death that would have befallen him at the hands of the livid ranch-workers. CM If the other men had found Lennie, they would have beaten him and drawn out his death for no more reason than to satisfy their cruel, perverse pleasure. CM George let Lennie peacefully slip into the pearly gates of Heaven with a smile on his face, soft rabbits running free in his head, and the thoughts of a better tomorrow sparkling in his eyes. SD Lastly, George had loved Lennie like a brother for his entire life and shooting him was a final act of love. CM When George held that gun to Lennie’s head and pulled the trigger, he wasn’t thinking of it as punishment for the bad things Lennie had done, but rather a show of how much he truly loved his friend. CM Only the truest of friends can overcome the disgust they feel for what the love they possess may drive them to do, and George proved his love for Lennie one last time, as he mercifully delivered his death and overcame his hatred for what he had to do in order to save Lennie. CS George’s decision was one of love, compassion, and caring, and it was undoubtedly the right choice, no matter how hard it was to make.
Sometimes decisions are the easiest things to settle: chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Sometimes decisions will haunt you every time you close your eyes: life of death? The hardest, most complex decisions must be made, and even though we may not like what we have to do, we must do it. We must make every decision based on our truest feelings and what our hearts whisper to us. We must honor these emotions and thoughts, for they are what will lead us through our darkest hours filled with turmoil, and into the clear light of a decision well and truly made.

Assessment Journal - Entry #6

Amita Bose
1/22/2009

Assessment Journal – Sixth Entry
Brothers laugh together, play together, and tease one another mercilessly. The two men I met today acted just like brothers as they were playing the Nintendo Wii. These two men, J.P. and Bernie, taunted each other as they demonstrated their Nintendo Wii Bowling skills. Bernie would make a sarcastic remark about J.P.’s “stellar” skills whenever he got a gutter ball. In return, J.P laughed heartily every time Bernie hit only one or two pins with the ball. It was intriguing and amusing to watch these two elderly men go back and forth, mocking each other, as if they were young boys again. Also, whenever something comical would happen on the game screen, or with another player, these two men would laugh their deep, jovial laughs. They would glance at each other, curve the corners of their mouths into the smallest of smiles, and burst out laughing at the same second. They would laugh and laugh until they were gasping for breath, their faces light up with delight. J.P. and Bernie are two people who share a unique, brotherly bond.

Assessment Journal - Entry #5

Assessment Journal – Fifth Entry
Picture this: an elderly woman sitting in a comfortable red chair with a Nintendo Wii remote in her hand. She is leaning forward, and her face is light by laughter and happiness. This is Edith. Edith is one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever met. As we were playing Wii bowling, she let out little yelps of encouragement and congratulations. She seemed so wrapped up in the excitement of the game and was eager to spread her enthusiasm. Also, when I first met Edith, I was immediately impressed by her selflessness. She came into the room after the later dinner, and when I offered her my seat, she quickly and persistently declined. She was determined to find her own seat and refused to put me out. Everyone could learn a lot from the way Edith chooses to live her life: to its fullest.

Assessment Journal - Entry #4

Amita Bose
1/17/2009

Assessment Journal – Fourth Entry
Today was a joyous day, filled with excitement, at Academy Point. Today was the day of the hoedown, and there was an aura of anticipation in the air. Everyone was looking forward to an afternoon filled with laughter, singing, and dancing. The residents began to arrive at the room where the hoedown was to take place before everything was set up, because they were so eager to commence their afternoon of enjoyment. At the hoedown I danced with a few of the residents, and it warmed my heart to see how much they were enjoying themselves. One woman I danced with couldn’t seem to keep the smile off of her face. We twirled and side-stepped our way around the dance floor, both of us breathless with laughter and full of joy. I had never seen this particular woman so full of life, and it was wonderful to realize that I may have added to her sense of delight by dancing with her. Today was a day that will always remain in my memories, as one of perpetual happiness and revived liveliness.

Of Mice and Men Essay

Amita Bose
Mr. Salsich
English 8
January 12, 2008

Brotherly Affection:
An Examination of the Friendship between Lennie and George in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Brothers are two males who have the same mother and father; Lennie and George do not have the same mother and father. Despite not being biologically related, Lennie and George have the relationship of two brothers. Brothers quarrel, tease one another, and threaten to leave the other, yet just like George and Lennie, they never actually do. In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, the characters George and Lennie share brotherly affection as they journey through their arduous lives.
TS In the time they have travelled together, George and Lennie have developed the bond that two brothers who have known each other since the day they were born have. SD George and Lennie argue often, just like brothers do as they go about their daily routines. CM Despite the frequent spats, Lennie and George don’t actually mean the callous remarks they make to one another; likewise, brothers will say things in the heat of the moment without any heart behind the words. CM After one of their arguments, George said to Lennie, “I was jus’ foolin . . . I want you to stay with me”, and this shows that George did not truly mean the hurtful words he had hurled at Lennie. SD Furthermore, George and Lennie will not leave each other in spite of their differences, just like brothers who cannot bear to sever the bond they share. CM The two friends keep on travelling together despite their frequent quarrels and radically different, colliding personalities. CM George cannot leave Lennie, even though he keeps him “in hot water all the time”, and this shows the brotherly affection that binds these two men together. SD Lastly, George looks after Lennie the way an older brother cares for his little brother. CM George constantly protects Lennie from the harshness of the world and shields him from people who try to hurt him with words and fists. CM Also, George tries to make Lennie’s life as easy as possible, so he won’t be burdened by the daunting, easily-avoidable parts of life. SD George and Lennie share a true bond that lies not on the surface, but deep inside, connecting them with an unbreakable connection.
Brothers come from the same flesh and blood, grow up under the same roof, and spend vast amounts of time with each other. It is in this closeness of mind and body that brothers develop their relationship. Lennie and George were born to two different sets of parents and never lived together during their childhoods; and yet, they developed the indestructible bond that brothers have. This bond is something magical, something that refuses to be vanquished by even the most harrowing of things. This bond is what Lennie and George share. This bond is brotherhood.

Facts about Elderly People in Nursing Homes

1)There are more than three times as many nursing homes as hospitals.
(http://www.carewatchers.org/nursinghomefactsheet.html)

2)Three out of four nursing home residents are women.
(http://www.nursinghomeabuseresourcecenter.com/facts/)

Assessment Journal - Entry #3

Amita Bose
1/10/2009

Assessment Journal – Third Entry
Today I met a very interesting woman while I was visiting residents at Academy Point. This woman owned two birds and had a passion for animals. She doted upon her parakeets and lovingly stroked and fed them. I was touched by the care and time she put into her pets. Also, when I was talking with her, I asked her if she had ever owned other pets besides her two birds, and her eyes immediately light up. She eagerly described the previous pets she had owned and told me a little story about every one. This woman’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and reflected the happy memories she was remembering when she spoke of her old pets. She seemed so excited to be sharing her experiences with someone else, and I was more than happy to listen

Assessment Joutnal - Entry #2

Amita Bose
1/3/2008

Assessment Journal – Second Entry

Today I met many new and extraordinary people when I visited Academy Point. The first person I met was an elderly woman who was sitting in the craft room when I arrived. I entered the room shyly, trying not to interrupt her craft time and sat in a chair in the corner of the room as I waited. When the arts and crafts director had to leave the room to get a bandage for another woman, the woman sitting at the table turned around and beckoned to me. I crossed the room and sat down, and began to talk to the woman. Her voice was weak and cracked, but she seemed eager and pleased to talk to me, and her kind questions melted my previous shyness. Also, during an exercise activity, I had the pleasure of meeting another unique woman. She was so energetic and talkative, despite the tubes that snaked their way from her handbag to her nose. She asked me endless questions and shared details of her life, as if she wanted to learn and share everything that the both of us had experienced in our lives. These are two people that have found a place in my memory because of their kind words and eager eyes.

Facts about Elderly People in Nursing Homes

1) There are about 1.6 elderly people in nursing homes currently. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursingh.htm)


2) The average nursing home reports 100 to 200 falls a year.
( http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/nursing.htm)