Swimming Pools

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ejyHzz3XE 

"Some people like the way it feels

Some people wanna kill their sorrows

Some people wanna fit in with the popular. I was in a dark room, loud tunes lookin to make a vow soon"

Swimming Pools-Kendrick Lamar

I chose this song because it accurately captures my state of mind when I need to get away from problems or people that make things difficult. When Kendrick says the lines above he's referring to why people drink alcohol to get rid of stress and pressure. I made a connection to this song not because of the alcohol but how he lets himself disconnect from people for a while and free himself from worry.

Essay Topic

D) Mercutio is often considered one of Shakespeare's best characters and yet he is killed quite early in this play. Discuss how the relationships Mercutio is in influence his behaviour/choices, and discuss WHY you think so many people (including me) find him interesting and pleasure to watch/read. What do you think Shakespeare would say about his character Mercutio? Would he like him? Would he think he was brave, honourable, immature, ignorant, or wise?

My decision to choose this topic was influenced by my part in interpreting Mercutio's lines in Romeo & Juliet. I took a liking to his personality as I feel it reflects my own. Making personal connections and linking his behaviour to modern people, I will provide an accurate explanation as to why Mercutio is so liked among readers of Romeo & Juliet.

Argument #1) Mercutio's outlook on life and how he adapts to situations

Argument #2) Shakespeare's and the readers opinion on Mercutio

Argument #3) Mercutio's personality when a relationship is being affected.

English 10 Mid Term

English 10 Mid Term English 10 has proved to be quite a bit more difficult than I thought coming into a new school year, with the overall work requiring more in depth thought and analysis then previous years. Adjusting to a new teaching style was exciting at first with the prospect of being given more freedom as to how we use our time. As a result of this I procrastinated heavily and was overwhelmed by the sudden workload coming at me from different subjects. My goals for the rest of this semester are to complete assignments to the best of my ability and understanding on time.

 My attendance like all my classes is very good as I rarely miss school and take time to make sure I understand the work I have missed by asking my peers for guidance. I do not stray off work often during class and tend to keep my "elephant" under control quite well when I am required to listen or concentrate on a topic being discussed. Doing my best to comprehend what is being said by my classmates is something I need to work on so I can also contribute my opinion to their discussion.

 As a result of my procrastination, many of my assignments are often handed in late or in some cases not at all. In these cases I must make sure the assignments I hand in are completed to the best of my ability. Assignments that are of high interest to me are usually completed much faster than assignments that I can make no connections to. An example of this was my tattoo assignment, as I was able to imagine myself getting a tattoo and thinking of a tattoo I would most likely get.

Having small things I can personally connect to makes assignments much more enjoyable and I find that I work on them because it is my will and I am not simply completing the assignment for the sake of completion.

 Contribution to the class is going to be one of my main focuses for the rest of the term. I definitely believe I haven't been as active among the class as I could be in things such as commenting on others blogs and providing feedback to my classmates ideas.

I do not have to many comments but this is the one I feel was the most relevant to the topic being discussed. I think this was beneficial to the class by providing a new idea of what Shakespeare was possibly meaning in Romeo's description of love. 

Overall due to my lack of completed assignments and lackluster work I think I deserve a C+-B possibly around the 63-70% range. I can definitely do better as i believe I haven't shown my full potential in English 10.

How is Your Heart Pt2

"What matters most is how well you walk through the fire"

I connect to this because I also focus on how well I can handle a problem after it occurs.

Interim Report

Before I am beaten unconscious I would like to explain how marks are evaluated in English 10. Rather than having a letter dictate my performance my peers read and provide feedback for my posts, as a result I have no concrete mark yet. I believe I am doing reasonably well but if you would like to see for yourself you can view my blog at http://gurbazkalerenglish10.blogspot.ca/?m=1. 

Tattoo

One of the ten gurus of the Sikh religion,Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had a pet falcon named Baz. This falcon was used to deliver the messages of the guru and aid him in combat, making it respected among the Sikhs. My parents chose to name me after Baz by taking "Guru" and "Baz" and making "Gurbaz" with the hopes that I would grow up and spread the message of peace and equality like my namesake. I chose to illustrate a falcon bearing a scroll to symbolify a free minded spirit carrying words of wisdom to those in need. The quote I wrote in Punjabi means "When the sun shines everyone shines with you, but when it sets even your shadow leaves you". This means that when your going through good times everyone wants to be a part of it but when you require care everyone leaves you like your shadow leaves. 

Extended Metaphor

"Inhale deep like the words of my breath

I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death"-Nas, NY State of Mind

There is a metaphor in the first line when he says he inhales deep like the words of his breath. He is explaining how the hits he takes on his blunt have the same deep meanings his words carry. Never sleeping is his way of saying that he's never caught off guard in the violent streets of New York otherwise he'll be killed. 

Literary Term:Suspense

A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

Myers-Briggs Personality Test

I think the results of the Myers-Briggs personality test are very accurate in capturing my thinking and behaviour. Keeping things to myself is something I do often and only confide in select few people. I am open to new ideas and don't stress too much over having fixed plans preferring to be flexible with my agenda.

Being a Teen

Being a teen is the most confusing part of someone's life. The desire to be independent and make your own choices is strong but at the same time you require the care and company of others constantly. Parents are vital to surviving as we teens would probably die from starvation without a mom or become drug dealers without dad's to keep us in line. Without friends a teen is just a living zombie. I think being social as a teen decides how social you will be as you mature. Choices and decisions you make as a teen will greatly impact your outlook on life when your older.

My History in English

I have always been happy with sitting down and reading whether it's a book or a text from a rather attractive girl although I find books preferable as they aren't as complicated as young women. Reading books has always been a habit of mine when I'm bored enough or there's a lack of food in the kitchen. My personal favorite is the Harry Potter series and have read the books several times. My history in English at high school has been a lot more interesting than during elementary school. I did quite well in Gr.8 and found Mrs.Garr's teaching simple and effective. The presence of technology in this class will be interesting and I am looking forward to putting my full effort into completing my assignments on time and making responsible decision in English 10.