Is there a way to properly summarize C.S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed? In this class we have talked about summary, meaning, and theme. Using what we have discussed, I almost do not want to classify this story in just a few sentences. I feel as though the whole essence of the story will be misinterpreted, or not fully explained. This story is loosely explained as “the passionate result of a brave man turning to face his agony and examine it in order that he might further understand what is required of us living this life in which we have to expect the pain and sorrow of the loss of those whom we love” (pg. XIX). This is generally what it is about, but it cannot fully express the emotion throughout this book.
This story is unlike any other. Even in the introduction we are told that this “is not an ordinary book.” It is not generally about grief and how one should handle it. This is not a book where after reading it one could think, “Okay, now I am equipped with how to handle grief. Let me share it with my friends as an academic tool to process suffering and pain.” Rather, this is one man’s twisted process of his own personal grief. It is a roller coaster of emotions such that what is said next is unexpected. This roller coaster is always intriguing, always exciting. It makes you question whether or not you should have got on it in the first place, and even while you are on it, you have a feeling of wanting to get off. But there is something that holds you in and makes you keep getting on over and over again. It is real.
In saying this story is about grief does not fully grasp the essence of love portrayed. Normally when thinking of love and grief, they do not tie together. But Lewis shows how intricately the two are woven together. What a blessing and gift from God for us to have love. But is it not a curse as well? In loving someone, we ultimately have to lose them. So is it really a gift after all? In the introduction, Lewis’ step-son states, “…all human relationships end in pain—it is the price that our imperfection has allowed Satan to exact from us the privilege of love.” So is this love that we, as humans, are allowed to experience taken away from us in the end by Satan, or by God?
Douglas Gresham states in the introduction, “The greater the love, the greater the grief.” Is all the happiness we may experience during love worth the ultimate grief in the end? Or the grief along the way? We long for a deep, strong love, but we are soon to forget about the grief that shall come in the end.
In writing how he is feeling, Lewis tries to explain how this grief feels. He says that grief is like fear; grief is lazy and lonely, and full of self-pity. He compares going to certain places that remind him of her “like sending a pilot up again as soon as possible after he’s had a crash” (11). Lewis states that his love’s “absence is like the sky, spread over everything” (11). He uses terms “empty house”, “like a clown”, “a whimpering child”, “like snow-flakes”, “a puppet of which you hold the strings”, and “grip[ping] the arms of the dentist’s chair” to somehow put down in words what he is feeling.
He uses these similes and metaphors, but they almost appear not to fit. It is almost as if words cannot express what he is actually feeling. There is no way even after reading this to understand what Lewis felt, unless we have personally been through this experience ourselves. Even then, too, it could differ. Lewis says, “I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid” (3). It is like he wants there to be other words to explain this fearful-esque pain, but this is the only way he can describe it. It is almost as if someone had said, “I am not hungry, but I have the sensation of being hungry.” See where this is confusing? He takes an entire book just to explain his emotions and write down his thoughts and feelings. How can this story possibly be summarized if Lewis himself cannot even find the right words?
Lewis questions God and his goodness in a way that is almost bittersweet. He describes it in saying, “The conclusion I dread is not ‘So there’s not God after all,’ but ‘So this is what God is really like. Deceive yourself no longer’” (7). It is hard to think about because Lewis believes in God. He does not doubt the existence of God in this book. He appears to doubt God’s intentions. The bitter sweetness is that Lewis knows that everything God does is for the best, but why must He bring pain and grief into it? With all the goodness, there is some pain. Lewis tells of his difficulty grasping this concept.
But is it a concept that can even be grasped? Is there even a specific conclusion that we can come to God’s goodness and grief?
Lewis describes creating an image of his wife in his mind that he fears is different that how she actually was. He uses the image of a puppet to say how our own minds can twist and shape what we want our love to look like, and do (21). He knows this is not fair to his wife for he states, “Ten minutes—ten seconds—of the real H. would correct all this” (20).
Is this what could happen if we spent just ten seconds with God? Do we sometimes shape God into what we want Him to be? Is it possible that maybe, just maybe, we use God as our own puppet? We might be surprised at how God really is after we have spent those few seconds with Him.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Lives being defined by their disability? Do they still have the "Spirit of God"?
Dear Professor Corrigan,
You stated with our homework that this reading would probably start off slow, and might be hard to read. But I have to disagree. This "paper" instantly grabbed my attention. I have actually thought about this "argument", I guess you could call it, and I never came to a conclusion about how I felt.
It means a lot different when the outlook is coming from someone who has a child who has a disability. It's a lot more intense, I guess? It's not psychological, or all scientific, there is actually real-life situations and real emotions thrown into the equation. It's a weird mix of emotion that I feel during this paper. There is conviction, sadness, but a strange bit of happiness at the same time.
There were so many different questions that arose while I read this paper. My print-out of this is totally torn up with red pen. I took notes everywhere! There were so many different thoughts that I was thinking of, and things to ponder in my mind while I read this. It was so intriguing to me because I had varied opinions and thoughts in my mind and it really got me thinking.
What is normal, anyways? What makes someone abnormal?
Yes, I guess compared to us, disabled people are considered "abnormal" while we are considered "normal". But then again, compared to other people, I could be considered abnormal while others are normal. Where is this line drawn? Is there even a line that needs to be drawn?
Are the disabled not touched by the Spirit of God? Did God just pass over them, or something? Look over them and forget about them? I feel like God created them just the way for a reason. There is no "defect", or anything wrong with how God created them. I know that God had a plan for their life, and He created them like that. (See page 3, first paragraph on the left hand side)
What do you guys think?
Also, it made me rethink how the Church, and people in general treat people who are disabled. If we, as the Church, tell disabled people that we accept them for who they are, and that we are not judging them but in doing so, we are actually calling out their disabilities. It is a bit of a sticky situation, isn't it?
I could discuss this until the sun rose and I love the fact that I think so much after reading this.
Bottom line: Thanks Professor, for creating a stimulating class that constantly gets me thinking.
Continuing to learn more and more from this class,
Anna Marie Smith
One of my favorite quotes:
"If no one can help how he/she is "embodied" in creation, including the disabled, then it seems very unjust to single out the disabled for their inability to adjust their embodiment of their alleged insufficiency in believing in divine healing."
You stated with our homework that this reading would probably start off slow, and might be hard to read. But I have to disagree. This "paper" instantly grabbed my attention. I have actually thought about this "argument", I guess you could call it, and I never came to a conclusion about how I felt.
It means a lot different when the outlook is coming from someone who has a child who has a disability. It's a lot more intense, I guess? It's not psychological, or all scientific, there is actually real-life situations and real emotions thrown into the equation. It's a weird mix of emotion that I feel during this paper. There is conviction, sadness, but a strange bit of happiness at the same time.
There were so many different questions that arose while I read this paper. My print-out of this is totally torn up with red pen. I took notes everywhere! There were so many different thoughts that I was thinking of, and things to ponder in my mind while I read this. It was so intriguing to me because I had varied opinions and thoughts in my mind and it really got me thinking.
What is normal, anyways? What makes someone abnormal?
Yes, I guess compared to us, disabled people are considered "abnormal" while we are considered "normal". But then again, compared to other people, I could be considered abnormal while others are normal. Where is this line drawn? Is there even a line that needs to be drawn?
Are the disabled not touched by the Spirit of God? Did God just pass over them, or something? Look over them and forget about them? I feel like God created them just the way for a reason. There is no "defect", or anything wrong with how God created them. I know that God had a plan for their life, and He created them like that. (See page 3, first paragraph on the left hand side)
What do you guys think?
Also, it made me rethink how the Church, and people in general treat people who are disabled. If we, as the Church, tell disabled people that we accept them for who they are, and that we are not judging them but in doing so, we are actually calling out their disabilities. It is a bit of a sticky situation, isn't it?
I could discuss this until the sun rose and I love the fact that I think so much after reading this.
Bottom line: Thanks Professor, for creating a stimulating class that constantly gets me thinking.
Continuing to learn more and more from this class,
Anna Marie Smith
One of my favorite quotes:
"If no one can help how he/she is "embodied" in creation, including the disabled, then it seems very unjust to single out the disabled for their inability to adjust their embodiment of their alleged insufficiency in believing in divine healing."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Yeah, I'll visit Art Museum more often...as long as it's free.
"I went to the Polk Museum of Art for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
This trip was a lot better than I thought it would be. I was excited about this little outgoing, don't get me wrong. But, I did not think it was going to be as fun as it thought it was. Once we (Louis, Jenn, our friend Ashley, and I) got there, I got pretty excited because we walked in and I could see the Japanese Exhibit. My parents are from Japan, so I had seen most of the things in the exhibit before. I actually grew up with most of that Japanese looking stuff. I actually couldn't understand why there were so many of the same looking photographs.
Yes, it's art, I know.
But come on. That was a bit much. There were like 35 different paintings of basically the same thing.
Once we got to the part of the museum where there was artwork from high schoolers, I think I fell in love. They were so creative! There was one that was even created on cardboard! I was amazed at the creativity that was floating around in the room. I could never imagine doing that sort of stuff myself...which kind of made me sad. But, it was great.
There were a few though, where I thought
"Really? This is in here? This really didn't take that much work."
For example, there was one where it looked like the a guy just took a picture of himself, then copied and pasted it all over the photo. Not that great. Sorry to say.
I don't even think I went into the pottery or anything....it just wasn't really my thing.
Right before you walked up the stairs, there was a section on landscapes, I think it was. There were nature-esque pictues and outdoors-y things that I was really drawn to. One in particular was called "Juniper Springs" by Margaret Tolbert.
This is what sprung from that-->
The deeper down, the deeper blue.
Wanting to submerge into the deep blue darkness.
The cold rushing all around me.
The sun slowly fading away as I plung and push myself
Deeper, deeper.
Deeper into the unknown.
Should I open my eyes?
I fear what I might see.
I've never known this feeling,
This pressure in my ears,
my heart pounding like a war drum in my head.
The coldness, the fear is becoming almost comforting now.
Almost to the point where I never want to break the surface again.
I continue to push
Deeper, deeper.
"Where is the end?" I ask myself.
It is never-ending,
This deep blue darkness.
Yet, it is always changing,
For I can feel a new sensation every moment.
A slight nibble on my toe.
A change in temperature.
A flow of water passing, almost right through me.
A give my last kick as I plunge deeper.
Pressure in my ears.
Cold water filling my lungs,
And alas,
there's peace.
Continuing to learn and learn more from this class,
Anna Marie
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
This trip was a lot better than I thought it would be. I was excited about this little outgoing, don't get me wrong. But, I did not think it was going to be as fun as it thought it was. Once we (Louis, Jenn, our friend Ashley, and I) got there, I got pretty excited because we walked in and I could see the Japanese Exhibit. My parents are from Japan, so I had seen most of the things in the exhibit before. I actually grew up with most of that Japanese looking stuff. I actually couldn't understand why there were so many of the same looking photographs.
Yes, it's art, I know.
But come on. That was a bit much. There were like 35 different paintings of basically the same thing.
Once we got to the part of the museum where there was artwork from high schoolers, I think I fell in love. They were so creative! There was one that was even created on cardboard! I was amazed at the creativity that was floating around in the room. I could never imagine doing that sort of stuff myself...which kind of made me sad. But, it was great.
There were a few though, where I thought
"Really? This is in here? This really didn't take that much work."
For example, there was one where it looked like the a guy just took a picture of himself, then copied and pasted it all over the photo. Not that great. Sorry to say.
I don't even think I went into the pottery or anything....it just wasn't really my thing.
Right before you walked up the stairs, there was a section on landscapes, I think it was. There were nature-esque pictues and outdoors-y things that I was really drawn to. One in particular was called "Juniper Springs" by Margaret Tolbert.
This is what sprung from that-->
The deeper down, the deeper blue.
Wanting to submerge into the deep blue darkness.
The cold rushing all around me.
The sun slowly fading away as I plung and push myself
Deeper, deeper.
Deeper into the unknown.
Should I open my eyes?
I fear what I might see.
I've never known this feeling,
This pressure in my ears,
my heart pounding like a war drum in my head.
The coldness, the fear is becoming almost comforting now.
Almost to the point where I never want to break the surface again.
I continue to push
Deeper, deeper.
"Where is the end?" I ask myself.
It is never-ending,
This deep blue darkness.
Yet, it is always changing,
For I can feel a new sensation every moment.
A slight nibble on my toe.
A change in temperature.
A flow of water passing, almost right through me.
A give my last kick as I plunge deeper.
Pressure in my ears.
Cold water filling my lungs,
And alas,
there's peace.
Continuing to learn and learn more from this class,
Anna Marie
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
I think Luci Shaw, Mary Oliver, and I should go out for tea.
I really really really liked this "story" by Luci Shaw. I have no idea how she could possibly write two pages on something as simple as beauty and make it sound so wonderful. I don't think I could have gone into this much detail about beauty and make it sound sweet and engaging like Luci Shaw. She actually has my attention the entire time. She has stated such easy and simple statements about beauty and creativity but it sounds like a revelation!
I especially like that quote at the beginning that says, "Beauty is perhaps one of the few things that constantly calls us back to God." Sometimes we are so busy throughout our day that we neglect the beauty in the world.
We forget to notice the things in the world that God has created with such creativity and passion. He has given us a beautiful school and great opportunities to meet people and learn from people at this school. I mean, seriously...think about the weather today. GOD GAVE THAT TO US. He created that just for us today. It was beautiful!
And for me, every time I see something beautiful, I honestly think of the Lord, just like Luci Shaw said.
Messages of beauty that awakens our sensations and touches each one of our senses make an imprint on our lives and truly last. Luci Shaw said, "They print themselves like pictures on our imaginations and do their transforming work in us, reminding us, if we are aware, of the One behind the messages." THIS IS AWESOME.
We pass by beauty throughout the day, and sometimes forget to notice. But "IF WE ARE AWARE", we can be reminded of God's greatness! It's so simple! It makes so much sense, and it's so easy to comprehend when you think about it, but I don't see how she made it sound so artistic at the same time.
That probably didn't make any sense hahaa if you did understand, please comment and make that sound more simple than how I put it.
Bottom line: I think Luci Shaw, Mary Oliver and I should all go out to tea and talk.
Learning more and more from this class,
Anna Marie
I especially like that quote at the beginning that says, "Beauty is perhaps one of the few things that constantly calls us back to God." Sometimes we are so busy throughout our day that we neglect the beauty in the world.
We forget to notice the things in the world that God has created with such creativity and passion. He has given us a beautiful school and great opportunities to meet people and learn from people at this school. I mean, seriously...think about the weather today. GOD GAVE THAT TO US. He created that just for us today. It was beautiful!
And for me, every time I see something beautiful, I honestly think of the Lord, just like Luci Shaw said.
Messages of beauty that awakens our sensations and touches each one of our senses make an imprint on our lives and truly last. Luci Shaw said, "They print themselves like pictures on our imaginations and do their transforming work in us, reminding us, if we are aware, of the One behind the messages." THIS IS AWESOME.
We pass by beauty throughout the day, and sometimes forget to notice. But "IF WE ARE AWARE", we can be reminded of God's greatness! It's so simple! It makes so much sense, and it's so easy to comprehend when you think about it, but I don't see how she made it sound so artistic at the same time.
That probably didn't make any sense hahaa if you did understand, please comment and make that sound more simple than how I put it.
Bottom line: I think Luci Shaw, Mary Oliver and I should all go out to tea and talk.
Learning more and more from this class,
Anna Marie
Sunday, April 4, 2010
DARKNESS, QUESTIONS, POETRY AND SPIRITUAL HOPE
Reading this was pretty interesting, actually. I especially liked the topic of darkness. The questions that arose really made me think about my faith. For example, Professor Corrigan asks us, "Where is God in the darkness?" We have to look for something beyond the darkness. We have to look for something that we can not see. Our faith comes into play and is truly tested when we can not see our own hand in front of us, and we have to trust that God knows what He is doing. And not only that, we have to trust that He even exists! That He really is there even though we can't see him...but I guess that comes in to play in general, this is not meaning just darkness.
Professor Corrigan had a quote in this that particularly struck my attention. It was a quote from Laurence Freeman that read, "“before trying to get the answer right . . . Important questions create silence." This reminded me of Lectio Divina. This practice has been coming up a lot in my life recently, actually. We practiced it at Renew Chapel, and in this class before. So it is quite funny that something similar is stated again here. Professor Corrigan says that Freeman in reminding us not to respond so eagerly and with the first thing that comes to our mind. Take some time ad reflect, repeat the question, and sit in silence with the question.
This "paper", I guess you could call it, helped me to see that darkness isn't necessarily a bad thing. God is still there. Like the Professor reminded us, the Lord says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." He also stated, "Unless we face the darkness, we have nothing to offer those who are hurting and we have no resources for ourselves when we get our own turn at pain--except cheap religious clichés." When we go through darkness, hope can come from it. We can learn and grow in the Lord, and we can use our circumstances to reach out to others and help them.
Learning more and more from this class,
Anna Marie :)
Professor Corrigan had a quote in this that particularly struck my attention. It was a quote from Laurence Freeman that read, "“before trying to get the answer right . . . Important questions create silence." This reminded me of Lectio Divina. This practice has been coming up a lot in my life recently, actually. We practiced it at Renew Chapel, and in this class before. So it is quite funny that something similar is stated again here. Professor Corrigan says that Freeman in reminding us not to respond so eagerly and with the first thing that comes to our mind. Take some time ad reflect, repeat the question, and sit in silence with the question.
This "paper", I guess you could call it, helped me to see that darkness isn't necessarily a bad thing. God is still there. Like the Professor reminded us, the Lord says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." He also stated, "Unless we face the darkness, we have nothing to offer those who are hurting and we have no resources for ourselves when we get our own turn at pain--except cheap religious clichés." When we go through darkness, hope can come from it. We can learn and grow in the Lord, and we can use our circumstances to reach out to others and help them.
Learning more and more from this class,
Anna Marie :)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Lake Bonny :)
I went to Lake Bonny Park for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
I went there with Louis and Jennifer Mendez! Despite the fact that it is only 3 minutes away from the school and we passed the giant sign that read, "Lake Bonny Park," we doubted at first that we were in the right place because the only lake we could visually see from the car was that little lake right behind the playground. The one with the dinky chain-link fence around it.
We even stayed in the car until I looked up on my phone whether or not this was the right place or not.
But Louis know the whole time! Yes, he did. He had remembered the picture of the dock that Professor Corrigan had posted, so we were determined to find it! Low and behold, we saw some people walking in the distance and we followed them and found the dock!
There were some other kids out there from our class, which was great. We all got to marvel in God's beauty together.
And His beauty is GREAT. We got to soak up His loveliness in the this lake I had never been to before. And because I had never been to it before, everything seemed new to me. The dock, the grass by the water, the trees, the wind, even the bugs. I could just see them a little differently. Once I got to think about God's wonderful creativity and artistry, I was amazed at the little beauties.
The weather was especially nice. The sun was out, but it wasn't hot. And the wind was blowing, but it wasn't cold. It was perfect weather to just lay on the dock, soak up God's wonder, and write...
Do you see that?
The water moving slowly across the lake
The bird dipping down into the water
The trees blowing in the wind
The fly landing on the flower petal
Do you smell that?
The salty air off the lake
The sweet aroma of the flowers
Rain coming in from the distance
That wood-sy scent that makes one want to build a tent
Do you hear that?
The birds chirping
The wind blowing through the trees
The slight hum of a bee flying nearby
Children screaming playfully from the playground
Do you feel that?
The wind gently blowing across your cheek
Those little flies that land ever-so-lightly on your arms
The sun beating down on you
God's presence overcoming your body and taking you to a place beyond this world...
Continuing more and more from this unique class,
Anna Marie :)
___________________________________________________________________________________________
I went there with Louis and Jennifer Mendez! Despite the fact that it is only 3 minutes away from the school and we passed the giant sign that read, "Lake Bonny Park," we doubted at first that we were in the right place because the only lake we could visually see from the car was that little lake right behind the playground. The one with the dinky chain-link fence around it.
We even stayed in the car until I looked up on my phone whether or not this was the right place or not.
But Louis know the whole time! Yes, he did. He had remembered the picture of the dock that Professor Corrigan had posted, so we were determined to find it! Low and behold, we saw some people walking in the distance and we followed them and found the dock!
There were some other kids out there from our class, which was great. We all got to marvel in God's beauty together.
And His beauty is GREAT. We got to soak up His loveliness in the this lake I had never been to before. And because I had never been to it before, everything seemed new to me. The dock, the grass by the water, the trees, the wind, even the bugs. I could just see them a little differently. Once I got to think about God's wonderful creativity and artistry, I was amazed at the little beauties.
The weather was especially nice. The sun was out, but it wasn't hot. And the wind was blowing, but it wasn't cold. It was perfect weather to just lay on the dock, soak up God's wonder, and write...
Do you see that?
The water moving slowly across the lake
The bird dipping down into the water
The trees blowing in the wind
The fly landing on the flower petal
Do you smell that?
The salty air off the lake
The sweet aroma of the flowers
Rain coming in from the distance
That wood-sy scent that makes one want to build a tent
Do you hear that?
The birds chirping
The wind blowing through the trees
The slight hum of a bee flying nearby
Children screaming playfully from the playground
Do you feel that?
The wind gently blowing across your cheek
Those little flies that land ever-so-lightly on your arms
The sun beating down on you
God's presence overcoming your body and taking you to a place beyond this world...
Continuing more and more from this unique class,
Anna Marie :)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
I would like to be Mary Oliver's friend, I think.
I have always been a fan of poetry. Nature poetry is splendid.
I can just sit in nature, and read the poems, and soak up God's wonderful-ness! :)
Mary Oliver's poems are GREAT. I don't even know how to explain in words how much I like them.
Let's start with "Walking Home from Oak Head"....
This poem is so simplistically wonderful. I am writing it down everywhere...in my journal, in a letter for my sister, everywhere. I even just read it again and got really excited because I like it so much! First of all, I really like the way she formats the poem.
The
slanted
words
make
it fun
to read!
^^^^Those are supposed to be slanted hahaa
Also, each stanza gives you something to think about..something to envision.
snow-laded sky
unhurried wind
snow falling..casually, then irrepressibly
red-cheeked
covered with stars
Jennifer put it a good way, I think. She said, "It's like the glitter of poems!" I know that might sound kind of strange, but think about it. Glitter is very small, very simple. But it's sparkly and beautiful! It doesn't need to be big and flashy to catch your attention, and you could probably be entertained with it for a bit.
Please tell me that you can relate this weird metaphor to Mary Oliver's poem? Thank you.
Next, I really liked "Six Recognitions of the Lord." Her first three lines are so great. I love it. She says, "I know a lot of fancy words. I tear them from my heart and my tongue. Then I pray." Could this be anymore of a truth? (I don't even know if that last statement made sense hahaa)
But really..how many times have we sat down to pray, or however you do it and tried to be all fancy with the Lord? HE DOESN'T CARE. We don't need to try and be fancy, or proper when we talk to Him, guys. He knows us better than anyone. Would you talk to your best friend using fancy words? Watching your language and using big words? I don't think so.
Well, these two were my favorite. Let me know what you liked about these two too! :)
LOVING and learning so much from this class,
Anna Marie :)
I can just sit in nature, and read the poems, and soak up God's wonderful-ness! :)
Mary Oliver's poems are GREAT. I don't even know how to explain in words how much I like them.
Let's start with "Walking Home from Oak Head"....
This poem is so simplistically wonderful. I am writing it down everywhere...in my journal, in a letter for my sister, everywhere. I even just read it again and got really excited because I like it so much! First of all, I really like the way she formats the poem.
The
slanted
words
make
it fun
to read!
^^^^Those are supposed to be slanted hahaa
Also, each stanza gives you something to think about..something to envision.
snow-laded sky
unhurried wind
snow falling..casually, then irrepressibly
red-cheeked
covered with stars
Jennifer put it a good way, I think. She said, "It's like the glitter of poems!" I know that might sound kind of strange, but think about it. Glitter is very small, very simple. But it's sparkly and beautiful! It doesn't need to be big and flashy to catch your attention, and you could probably be entertained with it for a bit.
Please tell me that you can relate this weird metaphor to Mary Oliver's poem? Thank you.
Next, I really liked "Six Recognitions of the Lord." Her first three lines are so great. I love it. She says, "I know a lot of fancy words. I tear them from my heart and my tongue. Then I pray." Could this be anymore of a truth? (I don't even know if that last statement made sense hahaa)
But really..how many times have we sat down to pray, or however you do it and tried to be all fancy with the Lord? HE DOESN'T CARE. We don't need to try and be fancy, or proper when we talk to Him, guys. He knows us better than anyone. Would you talk to your best friend using fancy words? Watching your language and using big words? I don't think so.
Well, these two were my favorite. Let me know what you liked about these two too! :)
LOVING and learning so much from this class,
Anna Marie :)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Character. Yeah, I think I like this conversation.
So we have been talking about character for a few class periods now and I have surprised myself by not getting bored with it. Looking back at my notes, thoughts are still going through my head about character. I did not know this was possible! This class is crazy.
The Professor gave us different jobs of people such as
heart surgeon
missionary
college student
janitor
elementary school teacher
Starbucks barista
and asked us, "Now which one of these do you think is better than the others?"
Despite the small slightly awkward silence that followed we all knew that there was not one of these that was better than the other. We aren't labeled by out jobs. Actually, that's all it is--a label. Our CHARACTER is defined by who we are internally and how we exhibit that externally.
It took me a while to get a grasp of the idea of inner and outer character/self. Actually, I still don't get it all the way. The inner self is our development inside. AKA the way we think, how we feel, etc. The outer self is our actions, the way we look, etc. I feel as though if people change their outer self, their inner self COULD change during the process. For example, if someone is trying to turn their life around, stopping drinking and smoking could be the first steps. Then maybe later on, they could find the Lord, or something.
But then again, in them changing externally, aren't they changing internally in some way at the same time? They need some inward change...no matter how drastic, or small, it may be...to have an outward change.
So does EVERYTHING start from within? Does an change in outer self mean a change in inner self? Can there be a change internally and no change externally and vice versa?
Let me know what you think, because I'm still figuring this out hahaa
Continuing to learn more and more from this class,
Anna Marie :)
The Professor gave us different jobs of people such as
heart surgeon
missionary
college student
janitor
elementary school teacher
Starbucks barista
and asked us, "Now which one of these do you think is better than the others?"
Despite the small slightly awkward silence that followed we all knew that there was not one of these that was better than the other. We aren't labeled by out jobs. Actually, that's all it is--a label. Our CHARACTER is defined by who we are internally and how we exhibit that externally.
It took me a while to get a grasp of the idea of inner and outer character/self. Actually, I still don't get it all the way. The inner self is our development inside. AKA the way we think, how we feel, etc. The outer self is our actions, the way we look, etc. I feel as though if people change their outer self, their inner self COULD change during the process. For example, if someone is trying to turn their life around, stopping drinking and smoking could be the first steps. Then maybe later on, they could find the Lord, or something.
But then again, in them changing externally, aren't they changing internally in some way at the same time? They need some inward change...no matter how drastic, or small, it may be...to have an outward change.
So does EVERYTHING start from within? Does an change in outer self mean a change in inner self? Can there be a change internally and no change externally and vice versa?
Let me know what you think, because I'm still figuring this out hahaa
Continuing to learn more and more from this class,
Anna Marie :)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
How God Must Feel.
When I was told in class that we were going to be writing short stories, I was SO excited! I love just being able to sit down and write and be creative. Now, I'm no Poe or Bronte, but I definitely love using what creative skills I have to write stories.
I really like the idea of being able to create something that isn't real in this life. This is a world that I am creating myself. I can create my own characters. I can make places and peoples and things that don't really exist.
Or perhaps they do..
Maybe all if it is just a figment of this real life. A continuation of this life into the story world. These characters I created could actually be people I know. It could be real thoughts that I am feeling.
BUT I CAN CREATE IT ALL. Isn't that awesome?
It makes me really think about how God must feel. He created us! All of us! Every detail of ourselves. Our hair, our eyes, our parents, where we go to school, how bad of vision we have, whether we are right handed or left handed ALL OF IT. And he did this for EVERY person on the planet.
If you thought that it was difficult for you to develop a character, think about how God must feel creating 4 billion people!! I know that I had difficulty sometimes just writing down how my character looked. But God creates not just our outer image, but everything internally about us as well!
It must have been so much fun for Him. It still is a fun thing for Him to do, I'm sure. Creating us. Watching us grow. I wish I could plant my characters into real life and see how they would play out after I "gave them their beginning."
I wonder if they would remember me...
I really like the idea of being able to create something that isn't real in this life. This is a world that I am creating myself. I can create my own characters. I can make places and peoples and things that don't really exist.
Or perhaps they do..
Maybe all if it is just a figment of this real life. A continuation of this life into the story world. These characters I created could actually be people I know. It could be real thoughts that I am feeling.
BUT I CAN CREATE IT ALL. Isn't that awesome?
It makes me really think about how God must feel. He created us! All of us! Every detail of ourselves. Our hair, our eyes, our parents, where we go to school, how bad of vision we have, whether we are right handed or left handed ALL OF IT. And he did this for EVERY person on the planet.
If you thought that it was difficult for you to develop a character, think about how God must feel creating 4 billion people!! I know that I had difficulty sometimes just writing down how my character looked. But God creates not just our outer image, but everything internally about us as well!
It must have been so much fun for Him. It still is a fun thing for Him to do, I'm sure. Creating us. Watching us grow. I wish I could plant my characters into real life and see how they would play out after I "gave them their beginning."
I wonder if they would remember me...
Friday, March 19, 2010
Stephen.
I remember the time when I used to be in love with him. Ah, the good old days. Looking back now it’s funny to think how we got to this point. His laugh, his voice, and the way he walks, the way he smells, all of it. It used to be so appealing to me. I wanted nothing more than to have him in my life for eternity.
But things change. People change. And sometimes, there’s just no going back.
We first met during his second year of college, my first year. I immediately was drawn in by his sea-foam green eyes that make anyone feel like they are swimming in the beautiful emerald waters of the Bahamas. He was around 6’2, and was the right amount of muscle and lankiness. He body seemed to move with elegance and perfect rhythm. I could almost count beats as his hands, feet, and body moved in time with my counting. His hands were calloused, and rough looking. He was wearing a white button-down tucked into his slacks with a gray cardigan. I could have sworn that I even saw suspenders underneath his sweater. He clothes were unusual, and unlike what people around here normally would wear, but he made his odd combination look so effortless and wonderful. As he talked, I could catch this smile right in the corner of his mouth, a crooked smile, just barely emerging from his lips. Then one of his friends made him laugh. His face lit up, and this laugh that surfaced made it difficult for me not to smile myself. He had straight brown hair that feel right across his eyes and I watched as numerous times he would shake his head and in a swift motion, move his hair away from his eyes. After the third time of him doing this, his powerful green eyes caught my gaze. I couldn’t look away from him. His deep eyes seemed to be drawing me in like a vacuum. And from then on, I was hooked.
We hung out for the first time with our mutual friend. She was extremely loquacious and we could never get a word in edgeways. But I can honestly say that I can’t remember a single word that came out of her mouth. I was just staring at him.
We seemed to be having an entire conversation without having to say anything.
Afterwards, our friend finally got the hint and left us alone. He started talking to me about The Shins. He said that when he looked at me, he instantly started hearing The Shins in his head. We talked about Garden State and The Emperor’s New Groove and that one book called The Rainbow Fish that everyone read when we were younger. He was weird and interesting and complicated. I had never met anyone like him before.
We walked to class together every day from then on out. And he would walk with such confidence I never knew existed. Just walking through campus, he could say hey to at least ten people he knew. And if he didn’t know them, he would say hey to them anyways. People’s faces would just light up. He was that effect on people. He had that effect on me.
He was the funniest person I had ever met. I could be in the worst mood in the world, and he knew exactly what to say to make me smile. He acquired the ability to read me like a book, which made it all too easy.
Every Tuesday night, we would go get waffles at the local breakfast restaurant. His idea. He would say every week, “This is the best taste in the world.” For some reason, he loved them. And every week he came. And every week he would say the same thing. He liked them so much that I continued to go get those stupid waffles every week, despite the fact that I thought they tasted like cardboard that had been heated up.
I had been hearing the humors. I knew what people had been saying about him. For a year, everything had seemed like a dream and I chose to ignore it. He was my everything and I felt like things were perfect. But there was the problem. It was all too perfect. Too perfect for me to realize that there was anything going on.
It was a Tuesday night in November when I found out he was cheating on me. I told him that I wasn’t going to be able to make out ritual routine of getting waffles, and he said he was going to go anyways. “I’ll be thinking of you the whole time,” he said. “It just won’t be the same without you.”
As I sat at home, working on my loads of homework I had to get finished, I realized that I had never missed a waffle dinner and I wasn’t going to start this time because of homework. I jumped into my car and raced over to the Waffle Shop. As I pulled into the parking lot, I felt my stomach drop. I had been telling myself for a year that this couldn’t be true. That this wasn’t true. He was the one I shared everything with. The one who knew me better than anyone. He couldn’t possibly be doing this. I couldn’t believe it.
I blinked my eyes a few times. It wouldn’t go away. I blinked again, harder this time. This image of him kissing her wouldn’t leave. After a year, she finally learned to close her mouth and be quiet, and she decided to shut her mouth on my boyfriend. Had she set us up, only to tear us apart? Nothing was making any sense.
That was not the most confusing part, though. He turned around and saw me staring right at them. He could see the tears running down my cheek. He could see the shock and pain on my face. I know he could. But he looked at me in my eyes. Those beautiful green eyes looked straight at me. Then they turned away, without saying a word.
But things change. People change. And sometimes, there’s just no going back.
We first met during his second year of college, my first year. I immediately was drawn in by his sea-foam green eyes that make anyone feel like they are swimming in the beautiful emerald waters of the Bahamas. He was around 6’2, and was the right amount of muscle and lankiness. He body seemed to move with elegance and perfect rhythm. I could almost count beats as his hands, feet, and body moved in time with my counting. His hands were calloused, and rough looking. He was wearing a white button-down tucked into his slacks with a gray cardigan. I could have sworn that I even saw suspenders underneath his sweater. He clothes were unusual, and unlike what people around here normally would wear, but he made his odd combination look so effortless and wonderful. As he talked, I could catch this smile right in the corner of his mouth, a crooked smile, just barely emerging from his lips. Then one of his friends made him laugh. His face lit up, and this laugh that surfaced made it difficult for me not to smile myself. He had straight brown hair that feel right across his eyes and I watched as numerous times he would shake his head and in a swift motion, move his hair away from his eyes. After the third time of him doing this, his powerful green eyes caught my gaze. I couldn’t look away from him. His deep eyes seemed to be drawing me in like a vacuum. And from then on, I was hooked.
We hung out for the first time with our mutual friend. She was extremely loquacious and we could never get a word in edgeways. But I can honestly say that I can’t remember a single word that came out of her mouth. I was just staring at him.
We seemed to be having an entire conversation without having to say anything.
Afterwards, our friend finally got the hint and left us alone. He started talking to me about The Shins. He said that when he looked at me, he instantly started hearing The Shins in his head. We talked about Garden State and The Emperor’s New Groove and that one book called The Rainbow Fish that everyone read when we were younger. He was weird and interesting and complicated. I had never met anyone like him before.
We walked to class together every day from then on out. And he would walk with such confidence I never knew existed. Just walking through campus, he could say hey to at least ten people he knew. And if he didn’t know them, he would say hey to them anyways. People’s faces would just light up. He was that effect on people. He had that effect on me.
He was the funniest person I had ever met. I could be in the worst mood in the world, and he knew exactly what to say to make me smile. He acquired the ability to read me like a book, which made it all too easy.
Every Tuesday night, we would go get waffles at the local breakfast restaurant. His idea. He would say every week, “This is the best taste in the world.” For some reason, he loved them. And every week he came. And every week he would say the same thing. He liked them so much that I continued to go get those stupid waffles every week, despite the fact that I thought they tasted like cardboard that had been heated up.
I had been hearing the humors. I knew what people had been saying about him. For a year, everything had seemed like a dream and I chose to ignore it. He was my everything and I felt like things were perfect. But there was the problem. It was all too perfect. Too perfect for me to realize that there was anything going on.
It was a Tuesday night in November when I found out he was cheating on me. I told him that I wasn’t going to be able to make out ritual routine of getting waffles, and he said he was going to go anyways. “I’ll be thinking of you the whole time,” he said. “It just won’t be the same without you.”
As I sat at home, working on my loads of homework I had to get finished, I realized that I had never missed a waffle dinner and I wasn’t going to start this time because of homework. I jumped into my car and raced over to the Waffle Shop. As I pulled into the parking lot, I felt my stomach drop. I had been telling myself for a year that this couldn’t be true. That this wasn’t true. He was the one I shared everything with. The one who knew me better than anyone. He couldn’t possibly be doing this. I couldn’t believe it.
I blinked my eyes a few times. It wouldn’t go away. I blinked again, harder this time. This image of him kissing her wouldn’t leave. After a year, she finally learned to close her mouth and be quiet, and she decided to shut her mouth on my boyfriend. Had she set us up, only to tear us apart? Nothing was making any sense.
That was not the most confusing part, though. He turned around and saw me staring right at them. He could see the tears running down my cheek. He could see the shock and pain on my face. I know he could. But he looked at me in my eyes. Those beautiful green eyes looked straight at me. Then they turned away, without saying a word.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lectio Divina
In class yesterday, we went through the ancient practice of....
Lecto Divinia!!!
This practice consisted of listening, reflecting, responding, and resting in the words we are reading. I particularly liked this class above the others was have done.
Reason #1: I had not slept at all the previous night. And when I say "at all" I honestly mean exactly that. I literally did not sleep at all and stayed up all night. Therefore, meditating and resting and taking things slowly with the words made class very nice.
Reason #2: I have been learning a lot more how to dig into the Word of God. God has been putting on my heart to grow in Him more and get to know His words and promises. So this practice in class showed me exactly how to do that! I can take my words that I am reading and really break each one of them down, meditate on them, and dig deeper into them.
Reason #3: I like history. I like learning more about history and what happened before me. It was really interesting for me to learn about the monks who would go through the process of Lectio Divina. I even felt cooler almost because I thought about how many monks and studiers of the Word did this before me and are continuing to do it now.
I like especially what Michael Casey said about what the monks did and what reading became. He said--
Reading became a dialogue with the text.
I love the way he put that! Not only are we just reading the text, but we are also engaging the text, and almost creating dialogue with the text. It is coming alive in how we
listen to the word
reflect on the word
respond to the word
and rest in the word.
Continuing to learn more and more about myself in this class,
Anna Marie
Lecto Divinia!!!
This practice consisted of listening, reflecting, responding, and resting in the words we are reading. I particularly liked this class above the others was have done.
Reason #1: I had not slept at all the previous night. And when I say "at all" I honestly mean exactly that. I literally did not sleep at all and stayed up all night. Therefore, meditating and resting and taking things slowly with the words made class very nice.
Reason #2: I have been learning a lot more how to dig into the Word of God. God has been putting on my heart to grow in Him more and get to know His words and promises. So this practice in class showed me exactly how to do that! I can take my words that I am reading and really break each one of them down, meditate on them, and dig deeper into them.
Reason #3: I like history. I like learning more about history and what happened before me. It was really interesting for me to learn about the monks who would go through the process of Lectio Divina. I even felt cooler almost because I thought about how many monks and studiers of the Word did this before me and are continuing to do it now.
I like especially what Michael Casey said about what the monks did and what reading became. He said--
Reading became a dialogue with the text.
I love the way he put that! Not only are we just reading the text, but we are also engaging the text, and almost creating dialogue with the text. It is coming alive in how we
listen to the word
reflect on the word
respond to the word
and rest in the word.
Continuing to learn more and more about myself in this class,
Anna Marie
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Imaginary, it was.
I attended Southeastern's production of The Imaginary Invalid and watched the entire play.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
This play was not the first performance I have seen at Southeastern. I saw Jane Eyre, a dance showcase, and a few concerts. I really enjoy going to these type of events and I'm always up for attending them. This performance, though, is definitely the strangest I have seen.
The dance showcase, like The Imaginary Invalid, was directed (or whatever the proper term is) by Nickolas Dixon. I could tell immediately just by the costumes and how the dancers looked at the beginning of the show that it was a "work of Dixon." They were all doll-like and had glitter and face paint and quirky, bright, sparkly, extravagant outfits on. In both the showcase and this play, this was the case. So from making this comparison in the beginning, I was eager to see how the show would turn out.
When people would come up to me later that night, or the next day and ask me how the show went...I couldn't even describe it well enough in words. It was weird, and hilarious, and confusing. The plot was so random and throughout the whole thing I was asking myself
What the heck? What on earth is going on?
But while asking these questions, and being totally confused, I was laughing really hard. I don't know what it was about it, but it was quite humorous.
The characters...ah, they were great! Random, but great. The actors and actresses that played the characters really made them come to live. The performers did not hold back at all with anything. Their facial expressions, their body language, their voices, everything was completely amazing. I was so appalled by their ability to be in character so well!
The set always had something going on. The doll-like stage hands were in these picture frames and in different rooms of the house...always doing something. Listening, but sort of mocking the characters. It was hilarious! And there was this one doll character in the top right of the house that was way more obnoxious than the rest that was SO entertaining to watch. There was never a dull moment.
It was one of the weirdest performances I've probably ever seen, but I liked it.
Surprised at how much she loved this ridiculous musical,
Anna Marie
Favorite Moment: Random sword fighting in the middle of the father/daughter conflict. Only way to solve conflict in my opinion.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
This play was not the first performance I have seen at Southeastern. I saw Jane Eyre, a dance showcase, and a few concerts. I really enjoy going to these type of events and I'm always up for attending them. This performance, though, is definitely the strangest I have seen.
The dance showcase, like The Imaginary Invalid, was directed (or whatever the proper term is) by Nickolas Dixon. I could tell immediately just by the costumes and how the dancers looked at the beginning of the show that it was a "work of Dixon." They were all doll-like and had glitter and face paint and quirky, bright, sparkly, extravagant outfits on. In both the showcase and this play, this was the case. So from making this comparison in the beginning, I was eager to see how the show would turn out.
When people would come up to me later that night, or the next day and ask me how the show went...I couldn't even describe it well enough in words. It was weird, and hilarious, and confusing. The plot was so random and throughout the whole thing I was asking myself
What the heck? What on earth is going on?
But while asking these questions, and being totally confused, I was laughing really hard. I don't know what it was about it, but it was quite humorous.
The characters...ah, they were great! Random, but great. The actors and actresses that played the characters really made them come to live. The performers did not hold back at all with anything. Their facial expressions, their body language, their voices, everything was completely amazing. I was so appalled by their ability to be in character so well!
The set always had something going on. The doll-like stage hands were in these picture frames and in different rooms of the house...always doing something. Listening, but sort of mocking the characters. It was hilarious! And there was this one doll character in the top right of the house that was way more obnoxious than the rest that was SO entertaining to watch. There was never a dull moment.
It was one of the weirdest performances I've probably ever seen, but I liked it.
Surprised at how much she loved this ridiculous musical,
Anna Marie
Favorite Moment: Random sword fighting in the middle of the father/daughter conflict. Only way to solve conflict in my opinion.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
To You, Oh Lord, I cry.
This is the picture that I painted that day in class that we painted. I LOVED that class period. Honestly, I was bragging to everyone after wards about how much I loved it. I got to paint for class! How awesome is that?
Now, I'm not much of an artist. Actually, I'm not an artist at all. But this project was really refreshing for me.
The Book of Joel is one I've never actually read all the way through, so this was real nice. I loved spending that time with God and getting to grow deeper in Him simply by being silent, digesting His word, and painting.
I really enjoyed not being graded on this either. We got our own ideas that we wanted from the Book of Joel, and we could just go with it. No rules except no talking.
It was wonderful.
Learning more and more from this class,
Anna Marie Smith
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Helpful Blogging
Before this class, I was not really a blogger of words, so to speak. I have Tumblr accout, which is a unique blogging site that allows me to post videos, chats, texts, pictures, audios, etc. Check it out --> http://alilyofthevalley.tumblr.com/
But as you can see, I did not really do too much full texts posts, or anything that really takes a lot of time, and thought, I guess I could say.
This class allows me to reach out and exercise that part of me that I wouldn't normally use. I'm forced (in a good way) to do something I wouldn't normally do.
I'm challenged by it.
And I'm growing...
not just in my writing and academic abilities, but in life (as lame as that sounds hahaa). I can understand books a little better. I've learned techniques to understanding things. I've even learned how to pray better.
At the end of almost every blog, I sign off by saying something along the lines of "continuing to learn more and more from this class". It is completely honest! And blogging is what has helped me to learn so much.
There is something unique about blogging that is different than just class discussions. On here we are allowed to carefully choose our words, go in depth about a piece of work, and dig into our own minds to find purpose in meaning in what we have read. Class can be very beneficial, don't get me wrong. But there's something different about sitting down with just you and the text and evaluating, recalling, and studying. Blogging allows to do these things!
Re-reading the Guide to Blogging didn't actually strike any connection for me. I'm actually slightly confused about what the Professor actually wanted us to find when re-reading these instructions. It did help me though, to re-introduce how to write a blog correctly. I went through some of my older posts and looked at how well I had followed the criteria or not and saw how I can change in the future!
This adventure of Corrigan's 2 pm Intro to Lit class continues to amaze me,
Anna Marie
But as you can see, I did not really do too much full texts posts, or anything that really takes a lot of time, and thought, I guess I could say.
This class allows me to reach out and exercise that part of me that I wouldn't normally use. I'm forced (in a good way) to do something I wouldn't normally do.
I'm challenged by it.
And I'm growing...
not just in my writing and academic abilities, but in life (as lame as that sounds hahaa). I can understand books a little better. I've learned techniques to understanding things. I've even learned how to pray better.
At the end of almost every blog, I sign off by saying something along the lines of "continuing to learn more and more from this class". It is completely honest! And blogging is what has helped me to learn so much.
There is something unique about blogging that is different than just class discussions. On here we are allowed to carefully choose our words, go in depth about a piece of work, and dig into our own minds to find purpose in meaning in what we have read. Class can be very beneficial, don't get me wrong. But there's something different about sitting down with just you and the text and evaluating, recalling, and studying. Blogging allows to do these things!
Re-reading the Guide to Blogging didn't actually strike any connection for me. I'm actually slightly confused about what the Professor actually wanted us to find when re-reading these instructions. It did help me though, to re-introduce how to write a blog correctly. I went through some of my older posts and looked at how well I had followed the criteria or not and saw how I can change in the future!
This adventure of Corrigan's 2 pm Intro to Lit class continues to amaze me,
Anna Marie
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Walt Whitman--In English, please?
When first reading Walt Whitman's When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd I had NO idea what was being said! I mean, the words themselves were not difficult at all to understand. But the placement and the order, I guess, was completely different that what I am used to reading. Maybe words and descriptions have just become more simple now-a-days? I'm not sure...
All I know is that after reading this through the first time I asked myself, "Okay, Walt Whitman. Let's try this again and you actually speak English this time."
You remember that exercise we had in class on Friday where we "broke down" the poem about the onions and went through those steps? Well, like the Professor told us yesterday, those same steps are applicable for most of the readings that we come across. I had to go through and use those exact same steps to understand Lilacs better!
Believe it, or not, Professor knows what he's doing.
And yet again, our small group discussion was wonderful. Me, Jennifer, Andrew, and Jared are pretty different in our literature ideas, and that's why I love our group so much--dynamics. We bring all these different ideas together and bounce off each other. (<--That little snippet was for you, team. Maybe one of you will be a faithful group member and read my blog hahaa)
ANYWAYS, our group was naming off our different favorite parts of the poem, and they were all different, and all really great. Because I had my own favorite part (Stanza 5). But, I actually started liking my group member's parts too because after they explained it, I could see the appeal of it. So, through re-reading, and discussing the reading, you really get to know the poem better.
Yet again, this class is helping become a better reader. During class you don't really think about how much the class is helping you...but sitting down and blogging about it makes it much more clear.
This wasn't in my top favorites of the works of literature we've gone over, but I can appreciate it.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll pick out a random Walt Whitman and try to understand it.
Surprised at how much she is still learning about this class,
Anna Marie
Favorite Quote/Stanza:
"Over the breast of the spring, the land, amid cities,
Amid lanes and through old woods, where lately the violets peep'd from the ground, spotting gray debris,
Amid the grass in the fields each side of the lanes, passing the endless grass,
Passing the yellow-speared wheat, ever grain from its shroud in the dark-brown fields uprisen,
Passing the apple-tree blows of white and pink in the orchards,
Carrying a corpse to where it shall rest in the grave,
Night and day journeys a coffin."
All I know is that after reading this through the first time I asked myself, "Okay, Walt Whitman. Let's try this again and you actually speak English this time."
You remember that exercise we had in class on Friday where we "broke down" the poem about the onions and went through those steps? Well, like the Professor told us yesterday, those same steps are applicable for most of the readings that we come across. I had to go through and use those exact same steps to understand Lilacs better!
Believe it, or not, Professor knows what he's doing.
And yet again, our small group discussion was wonderful. Me, Jennifer, Andrew, and Jared are pretty different in our literature ideas, and that's why I love our group so much--dynamics. We bring all these different ideas together and bounce off each other. (<--That little snippet was for you, team. Maybe one of you will be a faithful group member and read my blog hahaa)
ANYWAYS, our group was naming off our different favorite parts of the poem, and they were all different, and all really great. Because I had my own favorite part (Stanza 5). But, I actually started liking my group member's parts too because after they explained it, I could see the appeal of it. So, through re-reading, and discussing the reading, you really get to know the poem better.
Yet again, this class is helping become a better reader. During class you don't really think about how much the class is helping you...but sitting down and blogging about it makes it much more clear.
This wasn't in my top favorites of the works of literature we've gone over, but I can appreciate it.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll pick out a random Walt Whitman and try to understand it.
Surprised at how much she is still learning about this class,
Anna Marie
Favorite Quote/Stanza:
"Over the breast of the spring, the land, amid cities,
Amid lanes and through old woods, where lately the violets peep'd from the ground, spotting gray debris,
Amid the grass in the fields each side of the lanes, passing the endless grass,
Passing the yellow-speared wheat, ever grain from its shroud in the dark-brown fields uprisen,
Passing the apple-tree blows of white and pink in the orchards,
Carrying a corpse to where it shall rest in the grave,
Night and day journeys a coffin."
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Poor Onions
In class on Friday, we read through Namo Shihab Nye's poem called The Traveling Onion. At first, I honestly didn't like it...at all. I didn't really understand it that much.
Great this is just talking about an onion.
That's all I thought.
But our little "experiment" made it SO much easier to follow. Much easier to understand and to break apart and it really made you think more about the poem.
When we first read through it, there was nothing too special that caught my eye. I just read it. I didn't even read the beginning part about how it was worshiped in India! And I also thought that there was some sort of personification with the onion in the beginning.
But through reading it again, and tearing it apart, I found that this really wasn't the case. It was when Professor Corrigan had us try and find things that we didn't understand about the poem that I began to love it. I began to actually feel pity for an onion. Is that lame?
I actually felt bad for it.
Poor Onion. It does so much for the food. Yet, it always gets left out. In one country, it gets loved on and worshiped. But here, it get chopped up.
Forgotten about.
Invisible.
Every line of this poem is great. I really really like it. I'm surprised at how much I do like it, actually. I think this is journal worthy. I shall copy it down at once!
Learning more and more by this class,
Anna Marie
Favorite Quote: "And I would never scold the onion for causing tears. It is right that tears fall for something small and forgotten."
Great this is just talking about an onion.
That's all I thought.
But our little "experiment" made it SO much easier to follow. Much easier to understand and to break apart and it really made you think more about the poem.
When we first read through it, there was nothing too special that caught my eye. I just read it. I didn't even read the beginning part about how it was worshiped in India! And I also thought that there was some sort of personification with the onion in the beginning.
But through reading it again, and tearing it apart, I found that this really wasn't the case. It was when Professor Corrigan had us try and find things that we didn't understand about the poem that I began to love it. I began to actually feel pity for an onion. Is that lame?
I actually felt bad for it.
Poor Onion. It does so much for the food. Yet, it always gets left out. In one country, it gets loved on and worshiped. But here, it get chopped up.
Forgotten about.
Invisible.
Every line of this poem is great. I really really like it. I'm surprised at how much I do like it, actually. I think this is journal worthy. I shall copy it down at once!
Learning more and more by this class,
Anna Marie
Favorite Quote: "And I would never scold the onion for causing tears. It is right that tears fall for something small and forgotten."
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
And so the little girl took an automatic out of her basket...
This wasn't as exciting as the other texts we've read. I guess just because it wasn't a story, it did not immediately grab my attention, or seem too intriguing to me. But, I surprised myself by finding some things in this part of the chapter that I liked, or found interesting.
The first paragraph had such a great point! I mean, I've sort of always known what it was saying, but I've never brought that information to the front of my mind, you know?
We want texts to mean something.
I mean, of course we do. If we read story that has no meaning, or one that's just dull (like Professor Corrigan's first "breaking into my own house" story), we don't like it. It's just not good. But have we ever really thought about how we want every story to mean something?
And we can't simply summarize a story with one word, or one sentence (again, like Professor Corrigan's first story) because we lose the essence of what the story is. Yeah, we get what happened--the bare bones of it, the jist, the plain facts. But that's not what makes the story, is it?
If we translate a poem into a statement, we risk losing the very qualities that made it a poem.
Like Professor Corrigan said, "A story goes beyond what you can just summarize."
Continuing to learn more from this class,
Anna Marie
PS: IF you honestly did not read this section, read it. Especially the Little Red Hiding Hood rendition titled "The Girl and the Wolf." It's quite humorous.
Favorite Quote: "So the little girl took an automatic out of her basket and shot the wolf dead."
The first paragraph had such a great point! I mean, I've sort of always known what it was saying, but I've never brought that information to the front of my mind, you know?
We want texts to mean something.
I mean, of course we do. If we read story that has no meaning, or one that's just dull (like Professor Corrigan's first "breaking into my own house" story), we don't like it. It's just not good. But have we ever really thought about how we want every story to mean something?
And we can't simply summarize a story with one word, or one sentence (again, like Professor Corrigan's first story) because we lose the essence of what the story is. Yeah, we get what happened--the bare bones of it, the jist, the plain facts. But that's not what makes the story, is it?
If we translate a poem into a statement, we risk losing the very qualities that made it a poem.
Like Professor Corrigan said, "A story goes beyond what you can just summarize."
Continuing to learn more from this class,
Anna Marie
PS: IF you honestly did not read this section, read it. Especially the Little Red Hiding Hood rendition titled "The Girl and the Wolf." It's quite humorous.
Favorite Quote: "So the little girl took an automatic out of her basket and shot the wolf dead."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Can there be a happy ending with my house of cards?
Yesterday in class, we got the opportunity to get with our small group and try and build a house of cards. Oh, how fun this was for many reasons.
1) We got to be moving around--not just sitting and listening to a lecture.
2) Bonding time with our group!
3) Got to feel the emotions that C.S. was describing.
It was great because throughout A Grief Observed, we had hearing about the house of cards, and how he keeps building it up, even though he knows he's eventually gonna fall away anyways. But, it's different imagining building a card house and trying to feel the frustration, and getting on your hands and knees and really trying to figure out how to make it work. Our group was honestly planning and really thinking hard about just how to make our house of cards stand up.
One by one, our house was being built up. We would get one section, then maybe one other little section. Oh! and then we got the base complete! It was such a wonderful feeling! Maybe we could actually do this. Maybe we could really build this house up.
But
it
fell.
And there was nothing we could do to keep it up. After the first level was complete again, we figured that we could do the same thing again for the second. But, the cards were no longer on carpet with friction, they were on top of other cards that were slippery. We had just not prepared for the cards to be slipping! How on earth were they going to stay standing up? We were so close and there was nothing we could do to continue to build it up.
I remember one point while we were building that Professor said something along the lines of, "Now imagine that all you have, everything that is important to you in life is built upon this house of cards." DANG. I honestly felt different about what I was doing. As if I wasn't already frustrated enough by it not working, let's place my whole life upon this slippery, unsatisfactory, failing house of cards.
But that's what Lewis felt! And I can relate more now. And I will keep trying and trying even though I know that ultimately there will only be one true ending--
My house of cards falls. My house of cards falls. My house of cards falls.
1) We got to be moving around--not just sitting and listening to a lecture.
2) Bonding time with our group!
3) Got to feel the emotions that C.S. was describing.
It was great because throughout A Grief Observed, we had hearing about the house of cards, and how he keeps building it up, even though he knows he's eventually gonna fall away anyways. But, it's different imagining building a card house and trying to feel the frustration, and getting on your hands and knees and really trying to figure out how to make it work. Our group was honestly planning and really thinking hard about just how to make our house of cards stand up.
One by one, our house was being built up. We would get one section, then maybe one other little section. Oh! and then we got the base complete! It was such a wonderful feeling! Maybe we could actually do this. Maybe we could really build this house up.
But
it
fell.
And there was nothing we could do to keep it up. After the first level was complete again, we figured that we could do the same thing again for the second. But, the cards were no longer on carpet with friction, they were on top of other cards that were slippery. We had just not prepared for the cards to be slipping! How on earth were they going to stay standing up? We were so close and there was nothing we could do to continue to build it up.
I remember one point while we were building that Professor said something along the lines of, "Now imagine that all you have, everything that is important to you in life is built upon this house of cards." DANG. I honestly felt different about what I was doing. As if I wasn't already frustrated enough by it not working, let's place my whole life upon this slippery, unsatisfactory, failing house of cards.
But that's what Lewis felt! And I can relate more now. And I will keep trying and trying even though I know that ultimately there will only be one true ending--
My house of cards falls. My house of cards falls. My house of cards falls.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
C.S. Lewis? You mean The Chronicles of Narnia guy?
When I first saw on the book list for this class that we would be reading a C.S. Lewis book I was quite excited. For the longest time, I always thought that C.S. Lewis was just the guy who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. Now, I was briefly aware of the fact that he had written other books besides that series, but I didn't really know what they were called or what they were about, or anything. All the people who hear me say that I've never read Mere Christianity ask if I'm even a real Christian. Apparently it's a big deal.
I've never heard of A Grief Observed until this class, though. And I AM LOVING IT. Even though this might not be one of his best novels (or so I've been told my true Lewis scholars), this makes me want to read more and more Lewis. I mean, if this is one of his "not so great" books, bring on the better ones! I can't wait to see how good Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce are.
There is something about A Grief Observed that makes me not want to put it down. I'm actually almost finished reading it for the second time. Perhaps it is Lewis' honesty? He has an ability to describe every detail of his pain in such a way that draws me in. It's in a different way than other books, though. Some of those cheesy romantic novels I read pull me in, too. They are hard to put down. But this sort of attraction towards A Grief Observed is new, and different. Maybe because it's not a "happy ending" of what I'm used to hearing about in books. It's painful. It's honest. It's real.
"We could almost say He sees because He loves, and therefore loves although He sees."
Continuing to learn more and more from this class,
Anna Marie
I've never heard of A Grief Observed until this class, though. And I AM LOVING IT. Even though this might not be one of his best novels (or so I've been told my true Lewis scholars), this makes me want to read more and more Lewis. I mean, if this is one of his "not so great" books, bring on the better ones! I can't wait to see how good Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce are.
There is something about A Grief Observed that makes me not want to put it down. I'm actually almost finished reading it for the second time. Perhaps it is Lewis' honesty? He has an ability to describe every detail of his pain in such a way that draws me in. It's in a different way than other books, though. Some of those cheesy romantic novels I read pull me in, too. They are hard to put down. But this sort of attraction towards A Grief Observed is new, and different. Maybe because it's not a "happy ending" of what I'm used to hearing about in books. It's painful. It's honest. It's real.
"We could almost say He sees because He loves, and therefore loves although He sees."
Continuing to learn more and more from this class,
Anna Marie
Sunday, January 24, 2010
True connoisseur of fairytale endings
I really actually enjoyed this story...if you want to call it that. It's almost a story, I guess, but then again it's not because of Margaret Atwood's style of writing. I love how she sort of lets you read the different circumstances that can happen. It reminded Jennifer while we were in our discussion group about a book that she has read when she was younger that she really liked. It let you turn to a certain page if you wanted a certain thing to happen. Like it would say, "If you want Kathryn to go out with George instead of Nathan, turn to page 207," and "If you want Kathryn to go out with Nathan instead of George, turn to page 215." I loved that style of writing. I liked that you could choose what the characters were going to do. It sort of left you, as a writer, in control. But, on the other hand, I love that we never know what the author will throw at us when we aren't choosing the ending ourselves. It's frustrating to not get the ending that you want, but that's literature, and it's great.
I did not like the ending of all of these stories, except for A. Of course, I have grown up with the whole "fairytale" mindset, so I'm not too surprised that I didn't like the endings that turned out awful. I prefer books with love, and happiness and yes, fairytale endings. I know life doesn't turn out that way, and I know that murder and infidelity happen everyday.
But can you blame a girl for wanting something that she knows doesn't exist? It keeps that child inside of me alive and dreaming.
Favorite Quote: "So much for endings. Beginnings are always more fun. True connoisseurs, however, are known to favor the stretch in between, since it's the hardest to do anything with."
Maintaing a childish and dreaming heart,
Anna Marie
I did not like the ending of all of these stories, except for A. Of course, I have grown up with the whole "fairytale" mindset, so I'm not too surprised that I didn't like the endings that turned out awful. I prefer books with love, and happiness and yes, fairytale endings. I know life doesn't turn out that way, and I know that murder and infidelity happen everyday.
But can you blame a girl for wanting something that she knows doesn't exist? It keeps that child inside of me alive and dreaming.
Favorite Quote: "So much for endings. Beginnings are always more fun. True connoisseurs, however, are known to favor the stretch in between, since it's the hardest to do anything with."
Maintaing a childish and dreaming heart,
Anna Marie
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Kudos to Peter, Bethany, and Rufus
When Professor Corrigan said that there were different versions of "Frankie and Johnny", I became pretty curious. So, I went online and found other pretty interesting versions of this song. Lindsey Lohan did some messed up version of it. Pretty awful, it was. I mean, she could sing well, I guess, but part of her role in this movie was to sing the song wrong, so that part was pretty weird. Johnny Cash's version had different words, and I actually liked those words better! In his version, Johnny was loyal to his wife, he never "did her wrong" and Frankie didn't kill him. He did try and flirt with Frankie's sister, but she told him not to, and he never cheated on Frankie. It was a much happier ending, I must admit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai29_lB66Kk
This is a link to the Elvis Presley version of it. Apparently there was a movie called Frankie and Johnny that he was in, and the song kind of told the story of the movie. I liked this video because I could visually see the story of Frankie and Johnny while hearing the music....it was pretty cool. This actually makes me want to watch the movie by them. My question is if Johnny really does cheat on Frankie in the movie. In this clip that I’m sharing, they are performing the Frankie and Johnny song as a “skit” in inside of the movie. But I wonder if in the “real life” of the movie, Frankie really does cheat of Johnny. I think it would be pretty stupid in Johnny case after seeing how Frankie could possibly react.
I actually imagined that after the song was over, the audience realizes that Frankie really did shoot Johnny. That could be a neat twist to the movie.
But overall, the version we heard in class was my favorite. I like the folk style of the music.
Bottom line--Kudos Peter, Bethany, and Rufus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai29_lB66Kk
This is a link to the Elvis Presley version of it. Apparently there was a movie called Frankie and Johnny that he was in, and the song kind of told the story of the movie. I liked this video because I could visually see the story of Frankie and Johnny while hearing the music....it was pretty cool. This actually makes me want to watch the movie by them. My question is if Johnny really does cheat on Frankie in the movie. In this clip that I’m sharing, they are performing the Frankie and Johnny song as a “skit” in inside of the movie. But I wonder if in the “real life” of the movie, Frankie really does cheat of Johnny. I think it would be pretty stupid in Johnny case after seeing how Frankie could possibly react.
I actually imagined that after the song was over, the audience realizes that Frankie really did shoot Johnny. That could be a neat twist to the movie.
But overall, the version we heard in class was my favorite. I like the folk style of the music.
Bottom line--Kudos Peter, Bethany, and Rufus.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Good 'ol bedtime stories.
I can remember laying in my bed when I was just a wee little tot and having my Mama read bedtime stories. They varied from The Berenstain Bears to a little girl living in Japan named "Toto Chan." But my favorite book that my Mom read to me was called "Love You Forever." It was about a mom and her son and the mother was talking about how she would hold her tiny baby son and rock him and tell him that she would love him forever. It shows the story of her son growing up, and the mother getting older until the very end when the mother is very old and fragile. The son is then holding his mother and rocking her, telling her that he would love her forever. It warmed my heart everytime.
Since I have been in middle school, literature has been incredibly intriguing to me. I've loved almost every book I have read. There is something about a good book that makes me want to read all day long. My most recent memories have been of "religious" books, as I guess you could call them. Lately, I have been trying harder to grow more in my faith, therefore I have been hearing about great books such as Blue Like Jazz by Donal Miller, and Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian.
My most recent love, though, is Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is about falling in love with our amazing God and breaking free from the status quo of religious complancency. Francis Chan writes as if he's talking to you in a face to face conversation, so he makes it incredibly easy to read so you can dwell on what he's saying and not necessarily how he is saying it. Chan says, "Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything." I want to be changed. I want my world to be rocked by being completely and head over heels in love his Jesus. So, this book is great for me right now. PLEASE read it if you have not already.
Literature is greatly significant is every way. It is a way for people to express themselves. It is a way for people to communicate to the entire would around them. Just think about this next thought. Works of literature from the past, from hundreds of years ago, are alive today! The Dead Sea Scrolls, the Bible, even the Swiss Family Robinson are all still here. The authors of these books, and many like them can communicate thier feelings, thoughts, and creativity to the present world. That is amazing! We don't only learn about our past, but we also see our present day layed for us in books. Just look at the shelves and shelves of books in Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million. Every work of literature will be around for my grandchilden and their grandchildren to read. How can any of this not be significant?
Since I have been in middle school, literature has been incredibly intriguing to me. I've loved almost every book I have read. There is something about a good book that makes me want to read all day long. My most recent memories have been of "religious" books, as I guess you could call them. Lately, I have been trying harder to grow more in my faith, therefore I have been hearing about great books such as Blue Like Jazz by Donal Miller, and Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian.
My most recent love, though, is Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is about falling in love with our amazing God and breaking free from the status quo of religious complancency. Francis Chan writes as if he's talking to you in a face to face conversation, so he makes it incredibly easy to read so you can dwell on what he's saying and not necessarily how he is saying it. Chan says, "Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything." I want to be changed. I want my world to be rocked by being completely and head over heels in love his Jesus. So, this book is great for me right now. PLEASE read it if you have not already.
Literature is greatly significant is every way. It is a way for people to express themselves. It is a way for people to communicate to the entire would around them. Just think about this next thought. Works of literature from the past, from hundreds of years ago, are alive today! The Dead Sea Scrolls, the Bible, even the Swiss Family Robinson are all still here. The authors of these books, and many like them can communicate thier feelings, thoughts, and creativity to the present world. That is amazing! We don't only learn about our past, but we also see our present day layed for us in books. Just look at the shelves and shelves of books in Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million. Every work of literature will be around for my grandchilden and their grandchildren to read. How can any of this not be significant?
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