Brandon’s English Blog

 I am thankful for my friends and families. During many hard times and moments, I've been able to lean on them in order to get through them and see the better path ahead. Without them, it would make life really difficult and sometimes impossible. Today, we are finishing up our project on "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai. We added finishing touches and are finishing recording each slide this afternoon. I liked this project because I met new people and thankfully everyone carried their weight. Today, I am happy. It's the last day before Thanksgiving break, so I get to catch up on all the sleep I miss. I also get to eat good food Thanksgiving and maybe get in on those Black Friday deals.

 A truth I was afraid to accept was that one day, I would be old enough to not understand the newer generations. This really made me realize how much humanity advances, to the point older generation get left behind and can't do anything about it. New trends, technology, fashion, etc. will one day be a foreign and confusing concept to me. It makes me sympathize for older folk who struggle and don't get help or a chance to understand. Today, we continued working on group project on "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai. I completed my slides on Character Analysis and my part of the reflecting on the theme in my personal life. I'm enjoying getting in depth into the story and thinking how our theme, Definition of Success, ties back to the overall message of the story. I also enjoy not having to do the whole project by myself. Today, I am really tired. I had 7am class again and did not get a nap in like I usually do, meaning I am running on 3 hour of sleep. I want to go home....

 An adventure I'd like to go on would be exploring the Andes Mountain and the city of Machu Picchu. I've been interested in it's history and architecture since Middle School, and I think it would fulfill my fascination of it by seeing it in person. Today, we continued working on our group project about Indian culture, specifically "Devoted Son" by Anita Desai. We finished the story and began our PowerPoint. I like this project because it's pretty simple and you have other people to do something that can be time-consuming. Today, I feel okay. We have our first spirit band practice to prepare for the upcoming Basketball season. 

 Since as kid, I was always fascinated with space. Astrology was something I considered studying when I went to college, because of how vast and unknown it is. Thinking about it, you realize how we're all standing on a giant rock floating through space at many miles per second. I don't think in our life time we will fully understand and explore all of space, but I hope one day we do understand and see everything that is out there. Today, we read "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai. It's about a family in India who sacrifice in order for their son to become a successful doctor, coming back to India and providing/taking care of his family, much to everyone's surprise. I enjoyed the story because it's a situation I could find myself in one day and also delves into Indian culture and how it's important to respect your elders. Today, I am tired. I had 7am class again, so I want to go to sleep instead of being here.

 I wish I had more money. It's a basic need, but something my family has struggled with our whole life. If we were wealthier, we would not face many of the problems we do such as saving up for holidays in order to buy simple stuff we want, or working many hours a week just to make ends meet. It would also provide me with more opportunities, letting me experience things I can't at the moment. It makes life very stressful, knowing that you must work and make a certain amount of month in order to keep living. Today, we watched a video and read an article about India's population, becoming the most populous country in the world. I enjoyed this lesson, as it taught me problems and struggles that are faced by it's citizens and government due to it's large population and population growth. I learned how blessed we are to have simple things such as working infrastructure as well as development-driving government bodies that strive to better our country everyday. Today, I am...

My girlfriend invited me over to her house, and I was terrified meeting her mom. She was the one that invited me, but it was still scary as I was in a foreign environment in front of someone who I had to impress. As soon as I have accustomed myself to her, unexpectedly her dad and older brother came in. They were surprisingly happy for me to be there, shaking my hand and greeting me into their home. I was taken aback at first, but I realized I was overreacting. Today, we read an article about Colorism in India. It's another major issue and heavily done by the country. We learned about the causes and effects, as well as the steps they are taking to stop it. I liked this lesson, as colorism is very similar to racism in America, showing how skin color causes prejudice in people's head, believing themselves superior. Today, I am very tired. I slept at 2am and had a dentist appointment after my Dual Enrollment classes, meaning I could not sleep after class. I am going to take a fat ...

 I had always feared rollercoasters since I was a kid. I could not understand how people would enjoy going at dangerous speeds in shaky metal machines. However, when I went on a trip my Sophomore year to Dollywood, everything changed. I refused to get on rollercoasters until my girlfriend convinced me to try it at least once. At first, I felt the same dreadful feeling of fear in my stomach. But, as I saw everyone else scream, not in fear, but in joy, I realized I had no reason to be scared. I saw rollercoasters as something I could not control in case of an accident, but really they are heavily tested so those accidents never happen. Ever since that day, I can ride rollercoasters and enjoy them (most of the time). Today, we read an article about public defecation, a major issue in India. I did not like this lesson but at the same time I did. It was fascinating but also disgusting, as many refuse to use a toilet on person. This helped me better understand India's culture while also ...

 At the end of my junior year, I realized the expectations of becoming an adult and choosing of path for myself were upon me. I had put all those thoughts to the back of my mind the whole year, thinking "That's a problem for future me." As summer began, I realized I did not know what I wanted to be or do with my life after high school. I spent the whole summer deciding I would continue my education and get a degree in order to live a life I wanted to live. Today, we finished the India Culture assignment, reading an article that went more in depth about the different customs and traditions that make up India. I enjoyed this assignment, as it made me more knowledgeable about a culture many don't bother to learn about. Today, I feel good. I have an audition for a percussion group, so I hope I do well and maybe get in. 

 A place I never wanted to leave was today when I was in bed. I dropped my mom off at work and decided to sleep before I had to go to school. I ended up sleeping until 12pm, which is when 5th period starts. I was so sleepy and tired as I had a concert yesterday. But, I sucked it up and got out of bed to come to school today. Today, we learned about India Culture, watching videos over customs and traditions such as eating with their hands or wobbling their head when speaking. I found it fascinating, as things like that are present in Western culture, showing how different parts of the world can be as well as the cultural differences between us and them. Today, I feel tired. I wish I would have stayed home and slept the whole day, but I have to work so I can get into the college I want to go to.