STAR WARS QUESTIONS

1.     In the first scene Darth Vader is looking for something. It could be a plan, mission etc. But it is in some way war-related. After his army invades the ship R2-D2 takes the emergency shuttle to another planet.

2.     Luke wants to go save princess Leia and fight in the “army” like his father. The only thing holding him back was his uncle. Once he was killed nothing could stop him.

3.     Obi-Wan Kenobi is Ben Kenobi. Ben is an ex Jedi Master who still has the “force” with him.

4.     The force: an energy field created by all living things

5.     Luke matures through out the movie in many ways. The death of his family makes him become a man and learn how t olive on his own. That becomes a Jedi and learns the ways of the force.

6.     I believe all of these characters have one similar trait. They are adventurous. They look for that powerful source, that energy. In other words they are “heroes” they live for something bigger tan themselves.

7.     Luke dies a kid and becomes an adult in very little time. The death of his family made him grow up really fast. He understands the force and lives for it. He finds that positive energy.

8.     THE FORCE. The force is something we see in all religions. But in STAR WARS we learn that our behavior is source of the force. We US humans make our life our own destiny. We have this magical power to do whatever whenever. That’s the STAR WARS QUESTion. 

     I believe the quote I chose hold significant meaning for many reasons. There are many different ways to look and interpret the quote; I look at it in two ways. The first way I look at it is to remind me that happiness and “good times” don’t last forever. With that being said enjoy it while you have it, say what you want to say when you have the chance, and enjoy every second of happiness and laughter while it is there. Don’t worry about the future or the past, instead focus on the present. The second way to look at it is to understand that the “bad times” don’t last forever either, and that everything eventually gets better. Its an on-going cycle in life, but try to make every situation your in and make the best out of it. Negative moments are inevitable, its part of life; but always try to have more good times than bad. 

Siddhartha #4

In the last chapter of Siddhartha, Siddhartha has to learn by himself from himself. He is starting a new journey in life. He walks away from everything even his best friend and the Buddha. He observes and learns from his surroundings. Siddhartha is learning more and more every day. He no longer depends on others and their experiences and teaching. He himself is making them. I believe the quote above resembles a great teaching from the chapter. Even though Siddhartha was alone in the wilderness he learned more and more every day, because at the end of the day you are all you have. 

Questions Siddhartha #3

Questions Siddhartha #3

1. Will Siddhartha take care of his child?

2. Will a child bring “happiness” and “purpose” to his life?

3.Will a child be exactly what he needed?

4. What were Siddhartha’s reason/purposes for going back to the ferry man?

5. Did he get what he was looking for doing so?

6. Why would Siddhartha have suicidal thoughts?

7. What would make him so depressed?

8. How is suicide viewed in Buddhist culture?

9. Is Hinduism and Buddhism the same, similar or totally different?

10. What is the meaning and importance behind the golden bird? 

11. What are characteristics of “the godly one”?

12. Do you think Siddhartha was in a way jealous of the Buddha?

13. Why did Siddhartha not join the Buddha?

14. Do you think enlightenment is experienced or taught?

15. Was the Buddha trying to use reversed psychology on Siddhartha? 

Section 2: Siddhartha

     One of the most important lessons/teachings shown in the second section of Siddhartha is the importance of focus. Ever since I saw the movie: Eat, Pray, Love , meditation has come a big interest of mine. The “pray” part of the movie is her praying/meditating in India. That scene has stuck forever in my mind. Meditation is a time to sit down, relax and think about NOTHING. The first time she try’s to meditate she thinks about making a meditation room in her house; thinking about how she would decorate it (such a Sophie thing to do). The fact is wherever you meditate (your room, an airport, school, work etc) you are not suppose to be focused on your surroundings instead you should be directing your focus to your inner core. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8GrUeE0eHs

First 30 pages come with a lot of questions:

First 30 pages come with a lot of questions:

Vocab I don’t under stand:

1.     Atman

2.     Om

3.     Brahmin

4.     Atonement

5.     Ablutions

6.     Prajapati

7.     Upnishads  

Questions in general:

1.     Why is Siddhartha so unhappy with the life style he was living?

2.     Where is this “QUEST” for happiness going to take him?

3.     How will he get there?

4.     What will he find when he gets there?

5.     Is it truly fulfilling?

6.     Will normal day every people get to use these tactics (if he even gets them)?  

7.     Will he ever see his family and friends again?

8.     What lessons will I learn by reading this book?

9.     Should and can I apply them to my everyday life?

10. And if so am I successful? 

Reflection "The Tao of"

Reflection

I thought the grade I got on my story was completely fair.  I got a 3, 3.5 and another 3 on the three benchmarks. I guess three is my lucky number. My highest score was a 3.5, which I got on content. I put a lot of hard effort and thinking into my story so, I was happy with the grade I got for that benchmark. My two lower grades where for grammar and conciseness. To be honest my story did have some wordiness and some spelling and grammar mistakes. Over all I am very happy and proud with the grade I got for my story. 

The Tao of Bob Marley

Sophie Steckerl

February 20, 2013

PAP- English

The Tao of Bob Marley

One summer day on the warm beaches of Jamaica, woke the “Rasta Man” or better known as Bob Marley. He smiled at the rising sun. Three little birds where on his doorstep. Singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true. They said, “ This is message to you-ou-ou. Don’t worry about a thing. Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.”

As Bob and the three little birds were making there way into town, they saw a young boy sitting down in the sand. Bob could tell the boy was upset.  Bob went over and with out asking what was wrong he started singing. “Don’t worry…” and the three little birds started chirping and humming along.  The young boy looked up and smiled.

He finally made it to Trenchtown. He mingled with the good people he met that day. He couldn’t help but think about the good friends we had, and the good friends he lost along the way. He thought, “ In this bright future you can’t forget your past.” 

As he walked Bob found himself in the government yard. He sat and observed the hypocrites.  Looking at the scholars who had been to the best schools in all of Jamaica he observed that, “Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”

One of the birds chirped into his ear, “ Look Bob, your sister is over there!” As he made his way over to her we noticed she was crying. He took her hand and began to sing, “ No women, no cry, no women no cry, Oh my little sister, don’t shed no tears!” He tried making her feel better by telling her stories about when Georgie would make the fire light, log wood burning through the night. Then we would cook corn meal porridge. He shared some words of wisdom, “ My feet is my only carriage, so I’ve got to push on threw, but while I’m gone… Everything’s gonna be alright, everything’s gonna be alright, everything’s gonna be alright… My fear is my only courage, so I’ve got to push on threw, oh, while I’m gone… Everything’s gonna be alright, everything’s gonna be alright, everything’s gonna be alright…”

No women, No cry.

As the sun went down he walked back home. He smiled at the setting sun. And was happy with what he accomplished today. He was proud of the person he was. He said good night to the three little birds and hoped to see them tomorrow. He said to himself, “ None but ourselves can free our minds”.  

-----END----

This is Just to Say

I have killed

the cat

you gave me

And which,

you probably

thought

I loved.

Forgive me.

It was so

ugly

it reminded me

of you.

 I have wrecked

your new

Mercedes

And which,

I knew you loved

more than me.

Forgive me.

I was just

too jealous. 

I have broken

that precious

heart of yours

And which,

You thought

mine was yours

also.

Forgive me.

Revenge isn’t a

pretty thing. 

Paradox Image 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqqLoUcLX5I

One of my favorite songs by Shakira is: Sale el Sol. In English: The Sun Rises.  Here is the link to the translated lyrics. http://lyricstranslate.com/en/sale-el-sol-sun-rises.html . The reason I love this song is because it reminds me of meditation. When I meditate your mind has to go into a positive state. Think of it like this: a big blue sky is much more peaceful and happier than a dark, cloudy, closed in sky. When the sky is dark and rainy we tend to focus on that (in other words we are stuck in a negative mind set). Even when its rainy the big blue sky is right above it. This is why I love this song, because it describes just that. With out the negative in life we would appreciate the good. 

Paradox Image #2

     Ying-Yang, one of the first things you learn to draw. But the meaning has so much more. Yin-Yang is a Chinese philosophy that shows opposite or contrary force. In other words: to every white there is black. You can see the paradox in the symbol. There are two teardrops, one facing up and the other facing down. One of them is white and the other black. In the “drop” part of the teardrops you can see a dot, if the teardrop is white then the dot will be black and visa-versa. The mysterious part is that they are fit together to form a circle. The symbol of life 

Virtual Fiel-Trip

Barranquilla
1. Find 10 photos of things people should see or visit in that town.
2. For each phot write a 3-4 sentence description.
3. These photos with  descriptions should be on a web 2.0 tool.
4. The link for this tool goes on the blog and is emailed to Ms. Shawn sallen@cng.edu

Blog Post Jan. 14. 13

Analects 4.12: The Master said, “If in your affairs you abandon yourself to the pursuit of profit, you will arouse much resentment.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37y2m3ODJsg

When I read analects 4.12 I thought of the song Gone Going by the Black Eyed Peas featuring Jack Johnson. Both of them speak about the same topic.

Gone Going is a song about how a singer got caught up in the money and fame, he eventually lost himself. The only thing he could sing about was material objects, therefore losing all of his fans.

Analects 4.12 is very similar to the song. In other words it means: in your life if you lose yourself in exchange for money, many people aren’t going to like you. Confucius taught a lesson to the world. Many few people are going to like you and get along with you if the only thing you care about is money and showing it off. Being humble with what you have is one of the most valuable morals you should use through out your life.