Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Paton's theme
In math, everyone learns about proportions and how one may be smaller yet equivalent. Quite frequently, Paton compares the destruction of the family to the destruction of the entire country of South Africa. He uses key characters such as Gertrude, John and Stephen to demonstrate different components of the country. For example, Gertrude represents the poor, dark part of South Africa. John Kumalo typifies the proud, yet broken part of the country. Stephen Kumalo personates the humble, kindhearted portion of the nation. The characteristics of these characters portray the Kumalo's downfall as well as the fate of South Africa.
The woman of the family, Gertrude, symbolizes how unholy and full of poverty South Africa can be. She is poor with an illegal occupation and a child that she cannot support. This resembles problems such as the natives' inability to live off of the land, their crime, and their lack of jobs. She is selfish and ungrateful, and which could be a reason that the natives are being looked down upon. Gertrude, along with Absalom and the fellow that stole Stephen's money, demonstrate what is holding South Africa back from being equal.
John Kumalo, figuratively speaking, is South Africa's pride. He has many accomplishments but secretly feels below. The fact that he once had a chief dictating his every move scared him. This is revealed when he says"...( )." John is well know around his community and he is sort of a mid-class citizen, so he refuses to let most people know the pain he feels because of how accomplished he is.
The most dynamic character that we know of is Stephen Kumalo. He represents all the good and religiousness of South Africa. He is somewhat the average citizen that struggles with famiy, questions his faith, and questions himself. By representing the good portion of South Africa, he fits in right along with people such as Msimangu and Arthur Jarvis. They represent the good that balances out the rest of the country.
The woman of the family, Gertrude, symbolizes how unholy and full of poverty South Africa can be. She is poor with an illegal occupation and a child that she cannot support. This resembles problems such as the natives' inability to live off of the land, their crime, and their lack of jobs. She is selfish and ungrateful, and which could be a reason that the natives are being looked down upon. Gertrude, along with Absalom and the fellow that stole Stephen's money, demonstrate what is holding South Africa back from being equal.
John Kumalo, figuratively speaking, is South Africa's pride. He has many accomplishments but secretly feels below. The fact that he once had a chief dictating his every move scared him. This is revealed when he says"...( )." John is well know around his community and he is sort of a mid-class citizen, so he refuses to let most people know the pain he feels because of how accomplished he is.
The most dynamic character that we know of is Stephen Kumalo. He represents all the good and religiousness of South Africa. He is somewhat the average citizen that struggles with famiy, questions his faith, and questions himself. By representing the good portion of South Africa, he fits in right along with people such as Msimangu and Arthur Jarvis. They represent the good that balances out the rest of the country.
Together these characters were balanced, happy, and they all were religious people. Separated they each chose a path much different from each other. Their family was destroyed. The country of South Africa was once a divine place itself. Now it is the low life natives and the racist whites(Gertrude), the proud refugees(John), and the ones trying to fix it(Stephen). Let us hope that Stephen getting his family back together also symbolizes the reunion of the country!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Harmony
I believe that community works in perfect harmony. People always say that everyone should go to a nice college to be a lawyer or a doctor. Think about this, if everyone was meant to become a doctor or a lawyer, who would supply us with food? Who would deliver our mail? Everyone isn't meant to be a scientist. The world needs the local garbage man, the local woman to deliver our mail, heck even the amazing teacher to educate us!
This is the way I look at the situation. The community is made of a few different types classes. There are the Heroes, those are the doctors, firefighters, ambulance drivers, police officers, and even dentist. The next group are the Under Appreciates, they are the ones that get overlooked, but truly without them we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves. They are the garbage and mailmen, the store workers, the teachers, and the restaurant workers. There are the Entertainers. They're the ones that simply make us smile, dance and sing. Musicians, dancers, actors, athletes, and authors. The final group is what I like to call the Top Dogs. They're the governors, city council, entrepreneurs, city electives. They're the nucleus of the cell, they operate the communities.
Since I was I young child I've believed that nearly every occupation was necessary for the community to function. I'd see people talking bad about a garbage man and think, "Would you like to drive your own trash off to who knows where?" Since then, when I hear someone downing the way someone feeds their family, I remind them how important that person is to the community. I agree that there are occupations that aren't necessary, but I can count them on one hand. If you want, think of a random job, and decide how many of them can just go without thought. Trust me, someone, somewhere, would be affected if there was no one with the skills needed to do that job.
What is really the point of a job? People hire you to help! You aren't only helping your employer, but you are there to help the community. I just only hope that everyone knows how essential they are because I do. If you don't like the job you have, or don't think you are appreciated enough, don't worry about it, you are simply an amazing person, because you are giving someone a huge hand!
This is the way I look at the situation. The community is made of a few different types classes. There are the Heroes, those are the doctors, firefighters, ambulance drivers, police officers, and even dentist. The next group are the Under Appreciates, they are the ones that get overlooked, but truly without them we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves. They are the garbage and mailmen, the store workers, the teachers, and the restaurant workers. There are the Entertainers. They're the ones that simply make us smile, dance and sing. Musicians, dancers, actors, athletes, and authors. The final group is what I like to call the Top Dogs. They're the governors, city council, entrepreneurs, city electives. They're the nucleus of the cell, they operate the communities.
Since I was I young child I've believed that nearly every occupation was necessary for the community to function. I'd see people talking bad about a garbage man and think, "Would you like to drive your own trash off to who knows where?" Since then, when I hear someone downing the way someone feeds their family, I remind them how important that person is to the community. I agree that there are occupations that aren't necessary, but I can count them on one hand. If you want, think of a random job, and decide how many of them can just go without thought. Trust me, someone, somewhere, would be affected if there was no one with the skills needed to do that job.
What is really the point of a job? People hire you to help! You aren't only helping your employer, but you are there to help the community. I just only hope that everyone knows how essential they are because I do. If you don't like the job you have, or don't think you are appreciated enough, don't worry about it, you are simply an amazing person, because you are giving someone a huge hand!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
The Macaroni and Sausage Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 boxes of macaroni noodles
- 2 cans of evaporated milk
- 1 pack of cheese slices
- Velveeta cheese
- Italian sausage
- Salt/pepper
Preparation:
Before anything is done, cook the boxes of noodles. When the noodles come to a boil stir until they are as soft as you want them. Strain all of the water from the noodles, Trust me, they won't be dry. That's what the milk is for. Grab a long, deep pan and pour all of the noodles into it.Granny always uses a disposable aluminum pan unless she is making a small amount. When she makes the casserole it's normally during the holidays, Christmas and Thanksgiving, the most memorable time for me was always Christmas. When the noodles were done she would pour them into the pan.
"Time for a break," she would say after being in the kitchen for hours preparing the food for the holiday.
We always would joke about anything. My grandparents loved having the radio on, so Christmas music was a favorite for everyone in December. My grandad would be sitting at the kitchen table singing a Christmas song, probably a song by The Temptations. We really couldn't help but joke about his singing. There was nothing but happiness in the house during these times of the year.
After her break, Granny would continue cooking the meal, therefore, the cans of milk are poured all over the noodles so they aren't dry, nor will they be when the cheese goes in. I always thought the fact that I was eating evaporated milk was disgusting, but when it's put in with the noodles, I'd know what's soon to come.
The best part of the dish is the cheese, but before that comes the salt and pepper. You know how much salt and pepper you like, so it's up to you how much you add. When adding the cheese, first cut the block of Velveeta into chunks. Add the chunks to the pan and mix it until the cheese is melted good. If it doesn't seem cheesy enough, don't worry, we're not done with the cheese just yet.
While the sausage is cooking, I would continue to sit at the table and chat with my grandad.
"Paw Paw, did you know that all the planets move around the sun? Or that Earth spins on it axis all day everyday and we can't even feel it?"
He'd say, "Nope, I didn't know any of that stuff. Where you learn that at?"
"School, I made all A's too!" I'd say.
"Boy why you do that, you're supposed to make all F's. I thought you were smart!
Thinking he was serious, I'd ask my grandma,"Granny, Paw Paw don't know nothin' do he?"
Now that the sausage is done, mix it with the noodles and cheese. I would always sneak a handful of sausage to eat separately. Make sure the top of the noodles are as even as you can get them. Once that's done, grab the cheese slices. Granny always makes it as cheesy as possible, so when adding the slices on top of it, cover every single centimeter of the top of the noodles.
Now comes final step. Put the pan into the preheated oven at 350 degrees. The reason for this is to let the newly added cheese melt. That doesn't take long at all. Once the cheese is melted, pull it out and enjoy as my family does every Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Monday, August 19, 2013
http://www.flickr.com/photos/100504133@N03/9551446120/
Keep The Music
Do you like music? I know I do, but in a school somewhere they are cutting the programs that educate the people that may soon be the ones to entertain us. This is happening in the Salem-Keizer School District. I learned this from the article, "Schools' music program cuts could cost talent, opportunities." I think this is wrong, because the district has a very prestigious music program winning sixty six championships in the past thirty three years. Two, if there is something in school that students love to do, why should it be taken out so the students can have another reason to not like school? Music programs can be the best way to keep a child interested in school, and I don't think they should be cut from these schools.
"Salem schools are literally known all over the United States," said Chuck Bolton, the retired Portland band director. A band that gets heard from around the country doesn't deserve to get cut from the picture so easily. They've won ten Grammies. The schools should want to cut anything but the music programs! They've even competed in international competitions.
The district lost a lot of money somehow, and I understand the schools are short, but instead of cutting the program completely, cutting a little from all the programs could help. Appearantly the students like it if they're good enough to achieve what they've achieved, so why take away the things that make a person happy to show up for school, be in an extracurricular program, and most of all, make them the person the are now?
Keep The Music
Do you like music? I know I do, but in a school somewhere they are cutting the programs that educate the people that may soon be the ones to entertain us. This is happening in the Salem-Keizer School District. I learned this from the article, "Schools' music program cuts could cost talent, opportunities." I think this is wrong, because the district has a very prestigious music program winning sixty six championships in the past thirty three years. Two, if there is something in school that students love to do, why should it be taken out so the students can have another reason to not like school? Music programs can be the best way to keep a child interested in school, and I don't think they should be cut from these schools.
"Salem schools are literally known all over the United States," said Chuck Bolton, the retired Portland band director. A band that gets heard from around the country doesn't deserve to get cut from the picture so easily. They've won ten Grammies. The schools should want to cut anything but the music programs! They've even competed in international competitions.
The district lost a lot of money somehow, and I understand the schools are short, but instead of cutting the program completely, cutting a little from all the programs could help. Appearantly the students like it if they're good enough to achieve what they've achieved, so why take away the things that make a person happy to show up for school, be in an extracurricular program, and most of all, make them the person the are now?
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