Done

The year is coming to an end and I'm honestly just ready to relax for 3 months and prepare for my final year of high school. I honestly can admit I haven't grown as a student, I'm the same procrastinator, and I still let certain  people distract me from schoolwork. I can say that this course has taught me to not put things off until last minute(which I still did), and that reading is actually a helpful thing to do(who would've thought of that?). In terms of life, all I can say is that it would help me carry on an intellectual conversation with someone. Let us reflect on this year and what came with it.

The hardest essay by far was the argumentation essay. It was the essay we learned last and I was already in shutdown mode(It unfortunately came early.) The whole format and HELP format for data was also a burden on me.

The easiest essay we had to write was the Synthesis essay, we had material sitting there, something to help us write. The overall format was easy to me, and we had a little bit more time to write it.

I enjoyed the things they carried, not because I'm infatuated with war, but because it tells the true calamities of war, despite the story being stretched a bit. To be genuine, I also enjoyed the vulgar language in the novel, because I'm a teenager of course.

The year is ending and the last thing I want to do is read, nothing against The Great Gatsby, but I'm just too tired to read, but I must comply to pass the course. I'm sure if I reread it on my own will I'll enjoy the novel just as much as anyone else has. The book itself tells about the social atmosphere about a significant era.

On a final note I would like to tell you that you made AP English a favorable experience Mr.Thomas, you're a wonderful teacher, definitely AP material. From your tangents to your style of teaching I enjoyed the class, despite the fact that I usually had my head down in class,

The things I carry

The things we carry define what we are, everyone carries baggage, and that baggage is what makes you, well you.

I always hang my keys from my belt loop and it feels odd when they are not there. For years I never had a house key and was locked out once or twice. As simple as these keys may seem they symbolize freedom, the fact that I might need to open the door because I went somewhere away from my home.

My goal isn't so much to go to college, but to make my mom happy, I have no desire to go to college and be encumbered by a debt and be enslaved to a 9-5 to pay off a huge student loan. I owe it to my mom to take advantage of my education and make up for her lost education, as education wasn't her parents priority for her.

I don't worship false idols, but I do look up to my older brother, practically my father. Despite the fact he didn't make the best decisions when he was my age, he is now happily married and a father to be. When I see him I see happiness, something I'm yet to find.

I'm not one to characterize myself, but for the sake of this assignment, I'm naive, stubborn and hopeful. I long to be a confident person, to break the barrier of insecurity. In regards to what others think about me, I have no idea, and neither wish to know.

Certain memories may change people's view on life, love, faith, whatever it may be. Personally, when my mom explained the reason I don't have a father makes me want to be the greatest father I can be, and not be absent for 17+ years.  It's memories like this that can mold the outlook of individuals.

Cultural identity

   A common challenge faced by today's youth is cultural identity, am I this or am I that? We're all bound to adopt new culture while living in America. Is there a third option? Where we celebrate our ancestry and branch out into our own identity? Absolutely.
   My parents are Salvadorian, a small central american country, which for the most part, is plagued by violence. Violence that forced my mom to seek refuge from civil war and forces many today to seek refuge from gang warfare.

We obviously find little value in that past, but we do value what little positive culture we have. We don't go to any festivals or events of that nature, but I know where I come from.

I enjoy Salvadorian dishes, in particular pupusas, a thick tortilla with a meat or cheese filling, among others. I also support our sub-par national soccer team.

I must admit, the way I dress, talk, do my hair, and the music I listen to is completely westernized, my hobby is american adopted as well, straying away from the traditional soccer and picking up skateboarding.

Cultural diffusion is inevitable, from taco trucks in America, to McDonald's in Mexico. There is nothing wrong with this picture. In terms of a middle ground, the majority of people in this country from a back-round being non-american, with non American parents are living this reality. A logical blend of foreign customs and american customs.

Photo Courtesy:http://from-ashes-we-rise.tumblr.com/post/28889571927/imagesofwar-salvadoran-civil-war-guerra-civil

http://discover-centralamerica.blogspot.com/2011/11/salvadoran-pupusas.html

Anti heroes (late)

   An anti hero is a character in a story lacking hero qualities, such as courage and morality. Ichabod Crane is a perfect example of an anti hero, he lacks courage and seems to have a bit of a greedy side.

   Mary Shelley's Frankenstein featured Victor Frankenstein, another example of an anti hero, Victor's negligence led to the creation of a monster.

Both characters featured a lack of courage, with Victor running away from his creation and Ichabod just being scared of the supernatural, both have outcomes of what is speculated by most, DEATH.

Both Ichabod and Victor were fond of a significant other, while the intentions were different, they still pursued a female. Victor's lover is murdered at the hands of his creation, despite his efforts, the outcome wasn't so good. On the other hand, Ichabod pursued Katrina for her soon-to-be wealth, he also ended up losing the battle.

Lastly, both Victor and Ichabod shared a lack of morals. After all, Victor's negligence led to the deaths of his loved ones, and he still wondered why do all the misfortunes happened to him. Ichabod's greed led to his demise, while pursuing his lady, he's 'heart-stricken' and falls to the hands of the headless horseman

   Edgar Allan Poe can be regarded as one of America's best writers, and by some, even the original goth kid. Poe seems to enjoy being in a dark state of mind, which is deemed perfect for writing horror stories. Poe is the modern day inspiration for many modern stories, even making appearances in the satirical South Park.

Poe's short story Fall of the House Usher features many characteristics ideal in a horror story. For instance his use of an ominous setting creates the mood for the story, and creates foreshadowing of misfortunes about to occur. I would use this tactic the very same way.

Poe's use of death in his stories is another great example. Death creates obvious suspense and a sense of fear. I would use death to establish a very dark tone, give the story a mournful feel to it.

The use of the supernatural elements gives the story a very peculiar feel to it. By the means of logic it's obvious the dead don't rise in a decayed state, but it sure scares many readers, and may incite them to leave their nightlight on, after all, we have an obsession for the occult. The supernatural will surely hook the reader and which is why I would use it.

Diction is surely an essential way to express your standpoint, you're choice of words certainly set a mood for a story. Poe's use of strong words such as dark, dull, and soundless create an image of a desolate place. I would peruse Poe's work to use strong words that effectively express what I want to say.

Poe's use of cliffhangers make the reader interpret the ending or resolution in whatever way they want, after all he's dead he can't write a sequel to Fall of the House of Usher. To have my work venerated and become a cultural phenomenon I would adopt Poe's use of cliffhangers.

Poe's elements have him regarded as the quintessential mystery/horror writer, with great reason, it's evident throughout all of his work. His work seems to have these elements implemented to create the ideal story.

America's fascination with the occult

   Despite the fact that our country was founded upon religious doctrine, we have an obsession for taboo subjects, in specific the supernatural. Perhaps the peculiar characteristics make it such a guilty pleasure. Throughout American history the occult has been used as a means of entertainment, from urban legends all the way to film.

   Common forms of occult entertainment which is commonly overlooked are urban legends, the same ones we've heard about in camping trips, or have seen mentioned in standardized tests. A prime example would be Bloody Mary, a mysterious and truly gruesome story. Despite the graphic nature of this story, it's still heard worldwide, with various other endings or events.

   Some of the top grossing movies in the U.S are horror movies, one of these films is the Blair Witch Project which grossed 141 million dollars. The movie is topped off with mystery accompanied with suspenseful scenes, just like a well written novel, the film has the viewer at the edge of their seats.

   The U.S has a obvious obsession with the occult, which is a prevalent form of entertainment through television, film, literature and even video games. Although some may see our obsession as a negative thing, it's only a characteristic that helps shape our culture, it's the pillars which America is built upon.