BLOG#4
Freewrite
At first I thought this novel would be difficult for me to read but I soon found out it was not. I started my weekly reading and noticed I could not stop, so easily. It has been an interesting story and it raises many issues and questions to me as a reader. Sonny’s story is interpreted by him and the other characters as a part of his life, that is vulnerable and chaotic. He has to adjust to moving and making new friends, but also must put up with a step dad that is racist and unwanted. As for Sonny’s life choices they are spontaneous and troublesome. Sonny to me is a miss guided youth who is surrounded by people that are not good influences on him. He is already getting into trouble and denying that he did anything, his denial is a problem.
Why is he denying he took the magazines, embarrassment, or fear? Who knows, I also believe he has an issue of trusting others he choices to trust the wrong people. I am afraid to say, that he lets Cindy take advantage of him, by getting him stoned then having her way with him. I think she likes the excitement of wanting to get caught or she is not getting what she wants from her own man. However there is a lot of exciting things happening to Sonny and in this novel. I can’t wait to read more. So far this novel is turning out to be interesting in many ways.
I am trying to come up with a topic to write my paper on but am having a bit of trouble pinning one idea down. I have decided to write about Sonny but only one characteristic or problem that he faces. I have had many options from his stealing, his anger or his relationship with his mother? I think I will narrow it down pretty soon and may even run some of my ideas with the teacher. I have one or two other ideas but I don’t want to give them away. I am sure that everyone has their own ideas of what to write about but I really want to be different if possible.
I also want to choose a topic that will be some what easy for me to gather information and to put down on paper. As I keep reading I will look for more evidence that will back my ideas up. I know writing an essay is difficult for me to bad it wasn’t as easy as reading this novel. A lot of my ideas are coming from Sonny’ character, he has a lot of issues and all I need to do is pin point one main point regarding an issue. And then let my brain figure out the writing part. I am looking forward to more of our group work and hope to discuss more in class very soon. I think discussion will help me to narrow down my options of what it is exactly that I want to focus my paper on.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
BLOG#3
BLOG#3
I can honestly say I have been reading this novel religiously, and I am not much of a reader. I use to say I don’t read much because it hurts my brain. I am enjoying this read, the characters and the things happening are starting to get exciting. I try to make time for reading anytime I can. Sometimes I read in my bed when I can not sleep, I read in class when I am early and sometimes I read on my lunch break or when I am waiting for my daughter to get out of school. One of the hardest parts of reading this semester is having to read two books at a time. My philosophy class is also reading a book that is not an easy read. It is definitely challenging. There is a lot of new vocabulary and new information to rap my head around. It is also helping to think critically not only in philosophy but in our English class as well, it helps me to see more than just black and white. I can see many colors of the world just by reading, writing and thinking.
Maybe now when I go to write an essay it will not be so hard for me. I am really enjoying this novel, just hope that reading will get easier as I go, I am not use to looking up words in my dictionary and then reading it again. So far I have not had to do this for our novel but for my other class. I also am planning to fit more time into my schedule to read more for my philosophy class because I am really not that interested in that book. Oh well I will just have to bear with it. So I will make sure to make time for all of my reading for this semester. And there is a lot of reading to accomplish, better get cracking. I guess I am old school but trying to bring out the new school in me. The hardest thing is going to be choosing a topic to write my first formal essay, sometimes I would like the teacher to choose one for me, cause that is a lot easier then coming up with one on my own.
Well , for now I will just have to think critically about a topic, it is hard for me to pick one. I have a hard time evaluating a book or reading. Picking out themes and stuff like that is a bit difficult for me personally. Hopefully I will learn to do this better, picking out conclusions and topics, and themes. I also plan on attending the writing center where I would like to get help with the issues that I struggle with. I would like to know more about how I can improve my reading and writing skills, not just in this class but for future classes to come. If I am going to CSUMB then I need to take it up a notch. Considering I really don’t like to write essays, and here I am writing 500 words for this class. I do struggle with this the most.
I can honestly say I have been reading this novel religiously, and I am not much of a reader. I use to say I don’t read much because it hurts my brain. I am enjoying this read, the characters and the things happening are starting to get exciting. I try to make time for reading anytime I can. Sometimes I read in my bed when I can not sleep, I read in class when I am early and sometimes I read on my lunch break or when I am waiting for my daughter to get out of school. One of the hardest parts of reading this semester is having to read two books at a time. My philosophy class is also reading a book that is not an easy read. It is definitely challenging. There is a lot of new vocabulary and new information to rap my head around. It is also helping to think critically not only in philosophy but in our English class as well, it helps me to see more than just black and white. I can see many colors of the world just by reading, writing and thinking.
Maybe now when I go to write an essay it will not be so hard for me. I am really enjoying this novel, just hope that reading will get easier as I go, I am not use to looking up words in my dictionary and then reading it again. So far I have not had to do this for our novel but for my other class. I also am planning to fit more time into my schedule to read more for my philosophy class because I am really not that interested in that book. Oh well I will just have to bear with it. So I will make sure to make time for all of my reading for this semester. And there is a lot of reading to accomplish, better get cracking. I guess I am old school but trying to bring out the new school in me. The hardest thing is going to be choosing a topic to write my first formal essay, sometimes I would like the teacher to choose one for me, cause that is a lot easier then coming up with one on my own.
Well , for now I will just have to think critically about a topic, it is hard for me to pick one. I have a hard time evaluating a book or reading. Picking out themes and stuff like that is a bit difficult for me personally. Hopefully I will learn to do this better, picking out conclusions and topics, and themes. I also plan on attending the writing center where I would like to get help with the issues that I struggle with. I would like to know more about how I can improve my reading and writing skills, not just in this class but for future classes to come. If I am going to CSUMB then I need to take it up a notch. Considering I really don’t like to write essays, and here I am writing 500 words for this class. I do struggle with this the most.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Character Description
BLOG #2
Chapter Description
As I read through the next fifty pages or so, I noticed that the character Cloyd is interesting to me. He has many different characteristics. One of his characteristics that stood out to me was his love of hunting (A buck, he explained p.19) He also likes to fish and that is something I like to do also. (another body on the wall was a prize-winning rainbow trout, he said p.19) He likes to be out doors and hunting is a manly thing to me this is why I like this character because I can relate to it. Another characteristic is that Cloyd is responsible and wants to set a good example for Sonny, he starts giving him odd jobs around the apartment complex like (One of the jobs Cloyd had made mine was to make sure the laundry room was cleaned up. P.27) As I read further Sonny has multiple jobs that his step dad gives him, which tells me that he wants Sonny to either earn his keep or responsibility or both for that matter. I like the fact that Cloyd is trying to keep Sonny out of trouble with these odd jobs but I think that it has already started to get him in trouble and trouble seems to find Sonny. One characteristic that I do not particularly like is the fact that Cloyd has a small racism problem that Sonny makes note of in the book that he dose not like blacks and he is always making comments on how Mexicans are good hard workers and how he likes Mexican and now he has Sonny’s mom to make him Mexican food. It seems like Sonny is always mentioning that Cloyd has a drink in his hand so I feel that Cloyd may have a drinking problem and how he likes swirling his ice cube in the glass. All of these characteristics lead me to believe that Cloyd means well but also is sort of using Sonny’s mom in a way that only Sonny can relate to. For some reason Sonny doesn’t like him but I think he may start to produce a half hearted relationship with him. How do all these pieces help me to understand Cloyd, well if I put them all together I can see his intentions and his actual purpose as a part of this novel. Everything I read about any character in the novel I take a little note to my self, this is a part of the that persons personality and helps me build up towards a better understanding of each character. I actually find Sonny my favorite character but I choose to write about Mr. Longpre because that was one of the choices I had to make, but most of all I can pick out the personal characteristics that interest me and why. Like the hunting and why he is being responsible to his job and has a step father. He wants to show Sonny that he can take care of them as a family and would like to share some of his families traditions hoping to pass them on to Sonny. Cloyd is reaching out to him for closeness and maybe approval. He is trying to make this family work, in more ways than one.
Chapter Description
As I read through the next fifty pages or so, I noticed that the character Cloyd is interesting to me. He has many different characteristics. One of his characteristics that stood out to me was his love of hunting (A buck, he explained p.19) He also likes to fish and that is something I like to do also. (another body on the wall was a prize-winning rainbow trout, he said p.19) He likes to be out doors and hunting is a manly thing to me this is why I like this character because I can relate to it. Another characteristic is that Cloyd is responsible and wants to set a good example for Sonny, he starts giving him odd jobs around the apartment complex like (One of the jobs Cloyd had made mine was to make sure the laundry room was cleaned up. P.27) As I read further Sonny has multiple jobs that his step dad gives him, which tells me that he wants Sonny to either earn his keep or responsibility or both for that matter. I like the fact that Cloyd is trying to keep Sonny out of trouble with these odd jobs but I think that it has already started to get him in trouble and trouble seems to find Sonny. One characteristic that I do not particularly like is the fact that Cloyd has a small racism problem that Sonny makes note of in the book that he dose not like blacks and he is always making comments on how Mexicans are good hard workers and how he likes Mexican and now he has Sonny’s mom to make him Mexican food. It seems like Sonny is always mentioning that Cloyd has a drink in his hand so I feel that Cloyd may have a drinking problem and how he likes swirling his ice cube in the glass. All of these characteristics lead me to believe that Cloyd means well but also is sort of using Sonny’s mom in a way that only Sonny can relate to. For some reason Sonny doesn’t like him but I think he may start to produce a half hearted relationship with him. How do all these pieces help me to understand Cloyd, well if I put them all together I can see his intentions and his actual purpose as a part of this novel. Everything I read about any character in the novel I take a little note to my self, this is a part of the that persons personality and helps me build up towards a better understanding of each character. I actually find Sonny my favorite character but I choose to write about Mr. Longpre because that was one of the choices I had to make, but most of all I can pick out the personal characteristics that interest me and why. Like the hunting and why he is being responsible to his job and has a step father. He wants to show Sonny that he can take care of them as a family and would like to share some of his families traditions hoping to pass them on to Sonny. Cloyd is reaching out to him for closeness and maybe approval. He is trying to make this family work, in more ways than one.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
BLOG#1
BLOG #1
As I read the first few pages of this novel I thought it was about a girl, because of the picture on the front, but as I kept reading I realized it is about a young boy maybe about thirteen who liked to go into houses just for fun. I thought this was some what confusing because he wouldn’t steel anything and it seemed he really did not have a positive male role model in his life, Sonny talks about his mom as though she has been with several different men who she might have fallen in love with or thought she was. He later moves in with his mother and her want to be husband, he seems like a good influence on Sonny at first but it is later on that I read about his racism and its possible he has Sonny doing some of his dirty work. I think that Sonny may run away in this story, he has been saving money that he stole but is also very independent to the point I can picture him living on his own. Making himself meals which he has already proven he can do, even if it is a microwave dinner, Sonny is independent and does not like his moms new man, he can see right through him and his intentions. Sonny has saved some money about two hundred and fifty dollars, he might be saving so when he feels that the time is right he can take off and live on his own maybe even get a job, since Sonny has been doing these odd jobs around the apartments for Cloyd and doesn’t seem to mind doing the odd jobs, it tells me that Sonny is and can be responsible but he also is worried and concerned for his mother, who maybe to him she is not so bright when it comes to men. Well maybe Sonny will take his mother and sister with him, he can take care of them and protect them from the world He likes the way life is but I really think he wants a normal life, yet he wont eat at the dinning table, this to me is normal family living. I actually think that maybe he will run away and take on his own life, Sonny can fend for himself and even gets encouragement from his mother, she gives him money here and there so if he saves up enough money he can move or buy a car or use it for any kind of emergency that he may need it for or for his mother, eventually it will be used for something maybe he will buy the neighbors car if he doesn’t sell it. Really I see Sonny living on his own and taking care of himself just as he did before they moved in with Mr. Longpre, I see Sonny finding out the truth about his dog goofy and pretty much scolding his mother for not letting him keep her he is seems upset about his companion, over all I think Sonny will grow up to be a responsible adult and make a place in the world for himself.
As I read the first few pages of this novel I thought it was about a girl, because of the picture on the front, but as I kept reading I realized it is about a young boy maybe about thirteen who liked to go into houses just for fun. I thought this was some what confusing because he wouldn’t steel anything and it seemed he really did not have a positive male role model in his life, Sonny talks about his mom as though she has been with several different men who she might have fallen in love with or thought she was. He later moves in with his mother and her want to be husband, he seems like a good influence on Sonny at first but it is later on that I read about his racism and its possible he has Sonny doing some of his dirty work. I think that Sonny may run away in this story, he has been saving money that he stole but is also very independent to the point I can picture him living on his own. Making himself meals which he has already proven he can do, even if it is a microwave dinner, Sonny is independent and does not like his moms new man, he can see right through him and his intentions. Sonny has saved some money about two hundred and fifty dollars, he might be saving so when he feels that the time is right he can take off and live on his own maybe even get a job, since Sonny has been doing these odd jobs around the apartments for Cloyd and doesn’t seem to mind doing the odd jobs, it tells me that Sonny is and can be responsible but he also is worried and concerned for his mother, who maybe to him she is not so bright when it comes to men. Well maybe Sonny will take his mother and sister with him, he can take care of them and protect them from the world He likes the way life is but I really think he wants a normal life, yet he wont eat at the dinning table, this to me is normal family living. I actually think that maybe he will run away and take on his own life, Sonny can fend for himself and even gets encouragement from his mother, she gives him money here and there so if he saves up enough money he can move or buy a car or use it for any kind of emergency that he may need it for or for his mother, eventually it will be used for something maybe he will buy the neighbors car if he doesn’t sell it. Really I see Sonny living on his own and taking care of himself just as he did before they moved in with Mr. Longpre, I see Sonny finding out the truth about his dog goofy and pretty much scolding his mother for not letting him keep her he is seems upset about his companion, over all I think Sonny will grow up to be a responsible adult and make a place in the world for himself.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I am...
I am Neva H. born and raised in a small town which is been growing for the last few years and continues to grow. I have a ten year old child who was recently diagnosed with type one diabetes, and we continue to be strong through all of it. I graduated some time ago and I sometimes feel like a dinosaur when it comes to new technology and I recently finished my Child Development AA degree last semester and will be transferring to CSUMB this fall, where I will study for a BA in Collaborative health and human services or Liberal studies for teachers. I plan to get a job in the social services or teaching professions, and may even attempt preschool teaching when I get my permit. I am waiting for my assistant preschool teaching permit then I can get work in this area and work my way up to teaching, possibly. As for my interest and hobbies I like to watch movies, television, music, poetry and ceramics. I work part time for the nearby school distinct as a classified sub. For yard duty, instructional aides, and other in office positions at many of our local junior high and elementary middle schools. I really don’t find time to read, unless it is to my child, but I plan on reading quite a bit for this class and my philosophy class this semester I will be reading four novels and one book of my choice, most I have read in a few years. So this should be interesting I am looking forward to attempting the writing assignments for this class, because reading and writing is not my passion nor is it in my favorite things to do. Sorry to say that, but I do like poetry and have even written some of my own and even had one of my poems up in the writing center a while back.
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