Friday, May 4, 2012
Journal #31- job shadowing
Where do I begin to talk about my job shadowing experience. On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of going to the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield to do my job shadowing. I went to the zoo because I someday aspire to be a marine biologist or a zoologist. Obviously, there are not going to be many marine biologists in Central Illinois, but that's okay. I was still really excited to go to the zoo to see all the animals and learn as much as I could from the person I was shadowing! When I got to the zoo at around 8:15 in the morning, the snooty lady at the front desk told me and my friend, Desi Burns (who was also there shadowing for school), to follow the path down to there barn. Our two zookeepers were there waiting for us. We were so excited!!!! It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the monkeys were making their monkey sounds.....until we got to the barn. My expectation was a friendly zookeeper who was passionate about her job, and who was also excited to have a high schooler follow her around so she could shed some of her intelligence on an ignorant teenager who may be interested in her field. No. We found ourselves wound up with two unfriendly ladies who told us straight up that they did not want us to be there. It was not as bad as I probably make it sound, but I can tell you that I did not have fun. I pictured us touring the zoo, talking about animals or interests or something, feeding them, and maybe if I was lucky she would let me hold something. Again, this was not the case. When I was not standing in a smelly, concrete building watching her spray animal feces off the wall and listening to her complain about her life, I was standing in another building doing absolutely nothing but watch her chop lettuce, text on her phone, and listen about how she hated every single one of her coworkers. This lady was a real nutcase. I learned more about her personal life than I did about the zoo, which by the way, I did not even get to walk around. My zookeeper was lazy, cussed every other word (not a big deal, but I still felt like it was bad form), and talked bad about anyone who came in the vicinity of the tiny room I spent my day in. Whenever Desi and her zookeeper would come around, the two ladies would stand and gossip for as long as they pleased while giving us dirty looks as if we were bothering them. FINE WE GET IT. You don't want us here, we know!!! My lady literally told me: "Yeah we really don't like when we get shadowers or kids here to work with us. They just get in the way and it's weird because we don't want to talk to them so they just watch us." Oh okay. I'm sorry I'm not sure if you got the memo, but I'm here for a reason. I didn't wake up extra early and get my hopes to hear about how you have an illegal skunk living with you in your trailer. All in all, I had a better time leaving and looking at the penguins on the way out than I did for the 2 hours I was there.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Bells For John Whitefield's Daughter- Modernism Project
Here is the link to my Modernism Project YouTube video!! If for some reason it's not, just look up "Ainsley's Modernism Project- Bells for John Whitefield's Daughter" on YouTube. It's just me looking really really attractive at midnight so its probs on the popular page with the most views. Oh and my thumbnail is really hot. Enjoy;)
Modernism...link
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0255.html
This is the link to the page that I read about modernism. It is basically just a brief summary.
This is the link to the page that I read about modernism. It is basically just a brief summary.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Journal 30- Beautiful Women
For this journal, I was given the opportunity to pick my favorite Walt Whitman poem from Leaves of Grass. I did not know how to go about picking my favorite because I have not read the entire thing because it is so long. Scrolling through the list of poem titles, I came across one that seemed "okay" at the time. The title was "Beautiful Women," and I think I was interested in reading it because I wanted to know what Walt Whitman had to say about them, considering some of the poems I have read from Leaves of Grass. I did not even have to read other poems to figure out that this one was my favorite. First of all, I love how simple it is--simple, not because of how extremely short it is, but how Walt Whitman did not have to use an entire page to paint a picture in my head. The whole poem is only two stanzas long.
"Women sit or move to and fro, some old, some young,
The young are beautiful--but the old are more beautiful than the young." (Whitman)
When I read this, I pictured a scene similar to what you would see in Gone With the Wind or something in the Antebellum South period (the Old South before the Civil War). I imagined big, beautiful dresses with delicate details. My first instinct was to assume that "beautiful" women meant young women, and I was surprised to read Walt Whitman's statement that the younger women were not as beautiful as the older women (Whitman). I can definitely see it, because they do not have a naive look about them, but more an air of intelligence about them. Everyone knows that intelligence on anyone is attractive.
I think that the main reasons I like this poem were the simplicity of it and its ability to create such a mental image with every few words...they kind of go hand in hand. If Walt Whitman had taken the idea from "Beautiful Women" and prolonged it into a page-long story like the rest of his poems, I do not think I would have liked it as much. There is only so much you can say, but it honestly would not have been such a nice surprise to see how small it was...and I'm really not just saying that because I did not want to take the time to read a long poem and analyze it; this was the first poem that I picked and I honestly enjoyed it.
"The Walt Whitman Archive." BEAUTIFUL WOMEN. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
"Women sit or move to and fro, some old, some young,
The young are beautiful--but the old are more beautiful than the young." (Whitman)
When I read this, I pictured a scene similar to what you would see in Gone With the Wind or something in the Antebellum South period (the Old South before the Civil War). I imagined big, beautiful dresses with delicate details. My first instinct was to assume that "beautiful" women meant young women, and I was surprised to read Walt Whitman's statement that the younger women were not as beautiful as the older women (Whitman). I can definitely see it, because they do not have a naive look about them, but more an air of intelligence about them. Everyone knows that intelligence on anyone is attractive.
I think that the main reasons I like this poem were the simplicity of it and its ability to create such a mental image with every few words...they kind of go hand in hand. If Walt Whitman had taken the idea from "Beautiful Women" and prolonged it into a page-long story like the rest of his poems, I do not think I would have liked it as much. There is only so much you can say, but it honestly would not have been such a nice surprise to see how small it was...and I'm really not just saying that because I did not want to take the time to read a long poem and analyze it; this was the first poem that I picked and I honestly enjoyed it.
"The Walt Whitman Archive." BEAUTIFUL WOMEN. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Reflection- Song of Myself
I would just like to say that I absolutely love the poem "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman. The very first lines are "I celebrate myself, and sing myself,/ And what I assume you shall assume" (Whitman). I need to remember that just because a poem is told in first person does not mean that it is the actual author of the poem. I found that this poem was kind of a reflection on the speakers life or personality--the speakers "self." (Yay for making connections!!) Okay, now I am done with first person because this is supposed to be formal writing.
The speaker definitely values nature and possibly believes that using nature can help you reflect on yourself. "Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the earth much?/ Have you practis'd so long to learn to read?/ Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?" (Whitman). Walt Whitman is saying that in order to totally learn one's "self," they must take away everything in their lives and be completely pure. Nature is seen as being pure because it is untouched by people, and is a good thing to be influenced by. There was also another stanza that sort of ties into this. "There was never any more inception that there is now,/ Nor any more youth or age than there is now,/ And will never be any more perfection than there is now,/ Nor any more heaven or hell than there is now" (Whitman). Walt Whitman is talking about how nature is perfection, which is why it is such an awesome place to self reflection. There are no distractions to stray thoughts. Walt Whitman could also be talking about life in general. Right now, one will never be younger. There was never a better time than right now. Walt Whitman is recognizing that you only live once (YOLO), so why not live in the moment? "Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat,/ Not words, not music or rhyme I want, not custom or lecture, not even the best,/ Only the lull I like, the hum of your valved voice" (Whitman). Walt Whitman just wanted to relax in the countryside with his thoughts and the opportunity to look at his life and reflect on himself. He is telling his company that in order to fully enjoy themselves and life in general, they need to kick back and take it easy.
"The Walt Whitman Archive." SONG OF MYSELF. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 04 Apr. 2012.
The speaker definitely values nature and possibly believes that using nature can help you reflect on yourself. "Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the earth much?/ Have you practis'd so long to learn to read?/ Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?" (Whitman). Walt Whitman is saying that in order to totally learn one's "self," they must take away everything in their lives and be completely pure. Nature is seen as being pure because it is untouched by people, and is a good thing to be influenced by. There was also another stanza that sort of ties into this. "There was never any more inception that there is now,/ Nor any more youth or age than there is now,/ And will never be any more perfection than there is now,/ Nor any more heaven or hell than there is now" (Whitman). Walt Whitman is talking about how nature is perfection, which is why it is such an awesome place to self reflection. There are no distractions to stray thoughts. Walt Whitman could also be talking about life in general. Right now, one will never be younger. There was never a better time than right now. Walt Whitman is recognizing that you only live once (YOLO), so why not live in the moment? "Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat,/ Not words, not music or rhyme I want, not custom or lecture, not even the best,/ Only the lull I like, the hum of your valved voice" (Whitman). Walt Whitman just wanted to relax in the countryside with his thoughts and the opportunity to look at his life and reflect on himself. He is telling his company that in order to fully enjoy themselves and life in general, they need to kick back and take it easy.
"The Walt Whitman Archive." SONG OF MYSELF. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 04 Apr. 2012.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Reflection- Chanting the Square Deific
While reading "Chanting the Square Deific" by Walt Whitman, I definitely noticed things that portrayed his ideas of self and spirituality. In a sense, I got the feeling that Walt Whitman was very full or proud of himself.
"Chanting the Square Deific" is told in first person, and Walt Whitman starts out by comparing himself to the gods by saying he is "Time, old, modern as any" (Whitman). He says that he is relentless and will take down anyone that goes against what he believes in or what he is doing. This may portray Walt Whitman's idea of self that says a person is an individual. Everyone has a right to his or her thoughts. This may also show that Whitman was a hard headed man and was the type of person that felt like he was always right. It was either his way, or no way. Allowing oneself to be an individual and not listen to what others is another point being made (which goes along with spirituality). Walt Whitman must have been extremely fond of himself because he keeps referring to himself as a god ("the mightier God I am" (Whitman)) and talks about how charitable he is and how he gave up his world to help those under him. "But my charity has no death--my wisdom dies not, neither early nor late,/ And my sweet love bequeath'd here and elsewhere never dies" (Whitman). Basically, Walt Whitman is saying that in his godly state, he touches everywhere he goes with his kindness and generosity. I definitely could have interpreted this wrong, but Walt Whitman really seems to feel like he is so important to society--or, at least his role in this particular poem. Later in the poem, he refers to himself as the "general soul" (Whitman), which takes me away from that opinion a little bit. If you are so awesome and helpful and above everyone else, why would you suddenly call yourself the same as everyone else? I think this ties into what we discussed during class about the definition of "self." As a singular, solitary person, you are your "self." BUT, you influence and are very much influenced by the people around you. Without your singluar self, there would be no groups of "selves," but without those "selves" there would be no singular self. It is a twisted circle in our society. Walt Whitman recognized that and found twisted, hidden ways to include it in his poetry. What a peculiar man.
Walt Whitman uses the square of the Father, Son, Satan and Holy Spirit. He incorporates these into his poem to describe "self." The Son is forgiving, happy, kind and loving. The Father is merciless, relentless, and has little remorse. Basically, all of his decisions are final. He makes the point to tie all of these together and compare it to how an individual is a "self," but together (as all the people in the world) we make ourselves.
"The Walt Whitman Archive." CHANTING THE SQUARE DEIFIC. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 03 Apr. 2012.
"Chanting the Square Deific" is told in first person, and Walt Whitman starts out by comparing himself to the gods by saying he is "Time, old, modern as any" (Whitman). He says that he is relentless and will take down anyone that goes against what he believes in or what he is doing. This may portray Walt Whitman's idea of self that says a person is an individual. Everyone has a right to his or her thoughts. This may also show that Whitman was a hard headed man and was the type of person that felt like he was always right. It was either his way, or no way. Allowing oneself to be an individual and not listen to what others is another point being made (which goes along with spirituality). Walt Whitman must have been extremely fond of himself because he keeps referring to himself as a god ("the mightier God I am" (Whitman)) and talks about how charitable he is and how he gave up his world to help those under him. "But my charity has no death--my wisdom dies not, neither early nor late,/ And my sweet love bequeath'd here and elsewhere never dies" (Whitman). Basically, Walt Whitman is saying that in his godly state, he touches everywhere he goes with his kindness and generosity. I definitely could have interpreted this wrong, but Walt Whitman really seems to feel like he is so important to society--or, at least his role in this particular poem. Later in the poem, he refers to himself as the "general soul" (Whitman), which takes me away from that opinion a little bit. If you are so awesome and helpful and above everyone else, why would you suddenly call yourself the same as everyone else? I think this ties into what we discussed during class about the definition of "self." As a singular, solitary person, you are your "self." BUT, you influence and are very much influenced by the people around you. Without your singluar self, there would be no groups of "selves," but without those "selves" there would be no singular self. It is a twisted circle in our society. Walt Whitman recognized that and found twisted, hidden ways to include it in his poetry. What a peculiar man.
Walt Whitman uses the square of the Father, Son, Satan and Holy Spirit. He incorporates these into his poem to describe "self." The Son is forgiving, happy, kind and loving. The Father is merciless, relentless, and has little remorse. Basically, all of his decisions are final. He makes the point to tie all of these together and compare it to how an individual is a "self," but together (as all the people in the world) we make ourselves.
"The Walt Whitman Archive." CHANTING THE SQUARE DEIFIC. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 03 Apr. 2012.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Journal #29- self reflection
The discussion that we had today in class made me really think about the meaning of "self." It is basically impossible to define the term self without using the word in the actual definition. In all honesty, it is really hard for me to look at my personal self and try to "define myself." When I look at my morals, I feel like I am the type of person who views the world through rose colored glasses--most of what I am about to say I have gathered from researching everything and anything about being a Pisces...I'm deep, man--because I always assume that something is innocent or the best it can possibly be. I do not know if that is simply trying to see the best in things, or if I am just very naive. I am also very modest. When I look at the world, I so badly want everyone to see and feel what I see. There is beauty in everything, and as the years go on I think beauty gets overlooked. Maybe that is just the inner hippie coming out. I definitely think I would fit in during the nineteen-sixties. Everyone was so carefree and valued the same things that I do. Why is it that the color of someone's skin can change the way they live or the way people look at them? The same thing with the way someone dresses or the thoughts and ideas they have. Why do people care? We are all individuals. I definitely value equality, in all aspects of life. That goes with my belief that life is a beautiful and everyone should have the opportunity or chance to agree with me. The same thing with war, who on earth came up with the idea of war or politics. I am in AP US History and that is pretty much all we talk about, so I can see where politics can be structurally helpful and wars can be good...but why fighting? Is it really worth it? GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.
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