Mardi Gras Break

Every year for Mardi Gras break, my family and I go skiing. It's one of my favorite times of the year because not only do I get to escape the hot Louisiana weather, but I get to spend time with my friends and family. This year, and for the past 3 years, my family has gone to Snowmass to ski. This is one of my favorite places ever to go. It's not too cold or hot, there's always music playing somewhere, and all of my friends go. This year, at least 5 of my friends are going and everyone knows how to ski well so this will be a really fun opportunity to spend time with my friends doing something we usually don't do.

Another thing I love about Mardi Gras break is that Colorado doesn't normally celebrate Mardi Gras. Occasionally, people there will know it's Mardi Gras or maybe some will pass out beads. My family always brings a bunch of beads to pass out to anyone. We even give out multiple to the ski lift workers so that they can pass out the beads to people going up or down the ski slope. Another holiday that this trip usually falls on is Valentine's Day. Sadly, this year Valentine's Day has already passed.

Comments Q3 Week 6

I commented on Sarah's blog.
https://sarahcenglish1.blogspot.com/2017/02/poem.html?showComment=1487786825941#c2845230213461726456

I commented on Hudson's blog.
https://huds0ngenglish.blogspot.com/2017/02/poem.html?showComment=1487786945654#c5245287788290687246

Friends Poem

Friends are there through it all
When I'm with them I have a ball
Even Through The Thick and Thin
We always feel like we win
Even when I mess up badly
They love me unconditionally
They are like the light
They keep me shining bright
I can always trust them to have my back
Especially when someone tries to attack
I wouldn't trade them for anything
But if they did trade me, that would really sting

Consonance
Rhyme Scheme
Simile

Animal Shelters

Confined- being in captivity
Deplore- express strong disapproval of
Grapple- come to terms with

Animal shelters have always interested me. I love getting the chance to volunteer in the shelters or just visit. When I was a little kid I used to always go with my parents when there were charity events. This is why I can't grapple the idea of some of the shelters treating animals wrong. I hate when I come across a story about these animals being forced to into being confined in a tiny space when minimal food. I know that a lot of shelters treat their animals the right way but a lot don't. I strongly deplore when workers hurt or abuse the animals in these shelters as well.

I understand that some shelters might not have enough money to feed the animals enough or provide better shelter or space. Some shelters don't even have enough room for the amount of dogs that get dropped off or abandoned there, much less food. This is why if I ever come by a chance to support or donate to the shelters I do. I think that animal shelters are an amazing cause to support and probably a cause that should be supported more. I feel that this awareness isn't brought up as much as it should be. In the future, I would like to volunteer or even get a job that promotes supporting these animals.

Q3 Week 4 Comments

I commented on Kaelyn's blog.
https://ksenglish1.blogspot.com/2017/02/research.html?showComment=1486057773180#c4497754646099799035

I commented on Ricky's blog.
https://rickyenglish1.blogspot.com/2017/02/reading-response.html?showComment=1486057835203#c5862079930857666661

Reading Response through page 101

In Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I have realized the struggles that Junior has to go through. For example, on Halloween, he dressed up as a homeless person. However, he didn't even need to dress up to look like one. Also, Junior described how his parents can't always drive him to school so he has to sometimes walk 22 miles or hitchhike. This is horrible for anyone to go through, especially someone who is only 14. I can't imagine having to hitchhike to school every morning. I guess in present day most people are so used to having a ride to school every day that they forget some people can't always depend on this. 

I think it's really sweet how Junior's sister writes to him even though she moved away. Junior could be feeling abandoned but it's nice how she is still looking out for him. One thing I don't like about this book so far is the way Junior keeps getting treated. Even the teachers don't have faith in him because of the color of his skin. For example, Junior is trying to make friends and he thinks that he has one but his friend is very standoffish. His friend's name is Gordy, but it doesn't seem like Junior will ever find a friend as close as Rowdy again. 

Research Q3 Week 4

Throughout this research project, I have learned more about research tools. For example, at first, I didn't know that the online Aldrich library had so many databases to find sources. These databases provided me with accurate information that I could use in my essay. It also helped me find correct citations with one click. I also learned how to cite better. I knew how to cite in MLA format with the author's last name in parenthesis at the end of the sentence, but this was a good refresher. I have also learned that I like working on a project in two classes because you have more time to work on your report during class.

One thing that I still don't feel completely comfortable with is NoodleTools. I understand the basics of it like how to make a notecard or how to create a new project, but I don't really know how to do it in depth. When I was working in NoodleTools, I felt like I was doing the notecards incorrectly. Even though my notecards turned out to be correct, I had trouble creating them. For example, I didn't know if I was putting too much information or not enough. I also didn't know if I had to include quotations in them or if I had to cite them. Overall, it got easier when I asked for help from my friends and teachers who knew exactly how they were supposed to be created.