Today, my friends and I went to the Ontario Science Centre to view the Body Worlds exhibit. Cost of admission after 5pm was $20 for adults.
E. bought us our tickets at 5:20, and we had to line up for over half an hour before we actually got to enter the exhibit area. The first displays were all in glass cases. We saw muscles and bones, and neither of these bothered me. When we got to the display on the brain, that's when I started to feel nauseous. I don't know why that happened, and I did not expect it.
What I really wanted to see were the models of figure skaters, a cancerous lung, a tumor...and I think that's it. I got to see all of this, and more.
The figure skaters looked just as graceful as they would be in living flesh. The cancerous lung looked much like I anticipated it would look: black. What really struck me was the lung of a coal miner, which was covered in black and it was really BLACK! Tumors were hard to discern because I don't know how to differentiate between membrane tissue and tumorous tissue.
I think this exhibit was worth the $20, but the Science Centre should limit the number of visitors they allow into the area at one time. We had to wait a lot because there were several human traffic jams. That is just unnecessary. Limit the number of people passing through at one time, and then you won't have congestion. By the end of the 1 hr walk-through, my friends and I were all tired because we had to stand so long.
The thing that leaves the deepest impression on me is likely the fetus exhibit. The fetuses were all taken from aborted pregnancies. I always thought that in an abortion, the fetus died because of tissue being broken down, which flows out of the uterus in the form of blood. I didn't know that the body of the fetus would still be whole and intact. This was the most striking part of it.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
New Teacher
Today, we finally met the new teacher for our department. Ms. R. is very young, very friendly, and is a new teacher, just like me.
She is really smart because she is doing a masters degree in American History of the Slavery period. Juggling school and first year of teaching is a very daunting thought.
My colleague, F., is very happy that we finally have another teacher to help teach the lower level students in the Family Studies course. Over-sized classes and small classrooms make it very hard for the teacher to teach, as well as the students to learn.
I hope the students will come to like their new teacher, and I hope that Ms. R. will find her new teaching job as pleasurable as I find mine, if not more! :D
Congrats to Ms. R.
She is really smart because she is doing a masters degree in American History of the Slavery period. Juggling school and first year of teaching is a very daunting thought.
My colleague, F., is very happy that we finally have another teacher to help teach the lower level students in the Family Studies course. Over-sized classes and small classrooms make it very hard for the teacher to teach, as well as the students to learn.
I hope the students will come to like their new teacher, and I hope that Ms. R. will find her new teaching job as pleasurable as I find mine, if not more! :D
Congrats to Ms. R.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Birthdays This Week
Over the past 3 days, I've celebrated 3 birthdays.
Today, my family celebrated my dad's birthday. He's now 65, and he's retiring. YAY!
Mum made us wonton noodle soup, crab steamed with scallions, and oyster pancakes. It was so yummy! Auntie Nellie ordered a durian cake for us. It was most delicious!
I bought dad an outdoor waterproof vest. Clint and Tammy got him a 3-month subscription to the World Daily newspaper. Aunt Le and Nellie got him a very nice Italian shirt, with matching tie, tie clip and a set of...cuff button things.
On Friday night, I went out with Eddie, Clare, Thai and Jack to celebrate E. and C.'s birthdays. We had dinner at China King Buffet on Yonge and Major Mack. The food was alright, but too much MSG. Afterwards, went to play minigolf. It was so much fun! My team lost, though. At one hole, it took me 7 swings because I kept hitting the ball too hard and it kept going past the hole. Ugh!!! That was hilarious! On my 2nd last hole, I got the ball in on the first attempt, but that was a total fluke, LOL.
I got Eddie the same waterproof vest as I did for my dad, and I got Clare a necklace by Jones New York, and a pair of earrings by Guess. They both seemed to like their gifts. =)
Today, my family celebrated my dad's birthday. He's now 65, and he's retiring. YAY!
Mum made us wonton noodle soup, crab steamed with scallions, and oyster pancakes. It was so yummy! Auntie Nellie ordered a durian cake for us. It was most delicious!
I bought dad an outdoor waterproof vest. Clint and Tammy got him a 3-month subscription to the World Daily newspaper. Aunt Le and Nellie got him a very nice Italian shirt, with matching tie, tie clip and a set of...cuff button things.
On Friday night, I went out with Eddie, Clare, Thai and Jack to celebrate E. and C.'s birthdays. We had dinner at China King Buffet on Yonge and Major Mack. The food was alright, but too much MSG. Afterwards, went to play minigolf. It was so much fun! My team lost, though. At one hole, it took me 7 swings because I kept hitting the ball too hard and it kept going past the hole. Ugh!!! That was hilarious! On my 2nd last hole, I got the ball in on the first attempt, but that was a total fluke, LOL.
I got Eddie the same waterproof vest as I did for my dad, and I got Clare a necklace by Jones New York, and a pair of earrings by Guess. They both seemed to like their gifts. =)
Pioneer Village Trip a Success
The trip to Pioneer Village was a pleasant one. Most students were very well-behaved.
When we got there, the students were divided up into 3 groups of 20. My tour guide was Alexandra. She took us to the tinsmith's shop. There, I learned about how they made lanterns with an extremely inticate pattern of stars and flowers. These patterns are make from holes that are punched through the tin, to let the light through. This was called a barn lantern, for the windy and rainy nights when a farmer has to go into the barn to tend to the animals, and no matter how hard the wind blows on the lantern, the holes will not permit the flame to be blown out. It was so fascinating! And beautiful, of course!
That was my fave part of the trip, learning about this amazing lantern.
When we got there, the students were divided up into 3 groups of 20. My tour guide was Alexandra. She took us to the tinsmith's shop. There, I learned about how they made lanterns with an extremely inticate pattern of stars and flowers. These patterns are make from holes that are punched through the tin, to let the light through. This was called a barn lantern, for the windy and rainy nights when a farmer has to go into the barn to tend to the animals, and no matter how hard the wind blows on the lantern, the holes will not permit the flame to be blown out. It was so fascinating! And beautiful, of course!
That was my fave part of the trip, learning about this amazing lantern.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Another Week Gone By
Boy does time fly! I still remember the week just before school started, when I was trying to get the last minute wedding decorations done for Zemuppet and Chiquita. I had just been hired to teach ESL, and I was dazzled and frazzled. I was so nervous. I wasn't sure if I could do it...I mean, really teach, every day!
Now, it's been over 6 weeks, and I'm no longer nervous. In fact, I stopped being nervous several weeks ago. I don't know when I got used to it.
This week was a mixture of ups and downs. Ups include the successful poetry lessons I've done with my ESLEO class. Downs include some troublesome students.
On Monday, I'm taking the students to Black Creek Pioneer Village. Fortunately, we'll be on a school bus, and not riding the TTC. During rush hour, with 72 adolescents riding the TTC is very frightening thought. Wish me luck!
Now, it's been over 6 weeks, and I'm no longer nervous. In fact, I stopped being nervous several weeks ago. I don't know when I got used to it.
This week was a mixture of ups and downs. Ups include the successful poetry lessons I've done with my ESLEO class. Downs include some troublesome students.
On Monday, I'm taking the students to Black Creek Pioneer Village. Fortunately, we'll be on a school bus, and not riding the TTC. During rush hour, with 72 adolescents riding the TTC is very frightening thought. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Fatigue
The only thing that is keeping me awake right now is looking forward to watching the 9pm Chinese crime-comedy, "The Catch the Uncatcheble."
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Food, Food, and More Food
On Sunday, my family celebrated the Sept. 9th festival, "Chung-yeung." For this celebration, we went into Missassauga to visit the tombstones of my paternal grandparents. We laid down a pot of mums and chrysanthemums in front of the tombstones. After that, we paid our respects to them, and then we went home. At home, we had a dinner after venerating our grandparents and ancestors.
On Monday, I was planning on finishing up the marking and doing some grammar homework. At 2:30 pm, my best friend called me up.
Best Friend: C---? I'm coming to pick you up in 2 hours, okay?
C---: For dinner?
BF: Yes. You are coming to the dinner, right?
C---: I guess.
BF: J-- told you about the dinner, right? He said he told you about it.
C---: No, what dinner?
BF: The Thanksgiving dinner!
C---: OH!!!! Yes, I remember now!
So, I did end up having some turkey on Thanksgiving Day, thanks to J--. I also have to be thankful that I have a very caring family. Since I started my new job, I've found very little time to do house chores. My mum has been helping me out a great deal. Dad is driving to work more often so that he can give me a ride, which means I don't have to wait for the bus. I am extremely fortunate. In addition, I have to be thankful for having such a great 1st Teaching Job. The teachers in my dept. are so helpful, so considerate, and so generous with their time and expertise. I am truly very fortunate. I thank the Lord for surrounding me with these wonderful individuals, giving me the support I need right now.
Tonight, after work, I went out with the WTFF Club. That's not the "what the flying f---" club. That's the "we'll teach for food" club. We went to I Cook
Buffet for hotpot. It was a lot of fun cause the conversation was so hilarious and entertaining. Thanks to TT for organizing it, and MA for inviting me to join this club.
That ends this entry, and now you know why I gave it the title, "Food, Food and more Food." :P
On Monday, I was planning on finishing up the marking and doing some grammar homework. At 2:30 pm, my best friend called me up.
Best Friend: C---? I'm coming to pick you up in 2 hours, okay?
C---: For dinner?
BF: Yes. You are coming to the dinner, right?
C---: I guess.
BF: J-- told you about the dinner, right? He said he told you about it.
C---: No, what dinner?
BF: The Thanksgiving dinner!
C---: OH!!!! Yes, I remember now!
So, I did end up having some turkey on Thanksgiving Day, thanks to J--. I also have to be thankful that I have a very caring family. Since I started my new job, I've found very little time to do house chores. My mum has been helping me out a great deal. Dad is driving to work more often so that he can give me a ride, which means I don't have to wait for the bus. I am extremely fortunate. In addition, I have to be thankful for having such a great 1st Teaching Job. The teachers in my dept. are so helpful, so considerate, and so generous with their time and expertise. I am truly very fortunate. I thank the Lord for surrounding me with these wonderful individuals, giving me the support I need right now.
Tonight, after work, I went out with the WTFF Club. That's not the "what the flying f---" club. That's the "we'll teach for food" club. We went to I Cook
Buffet for hotpot. It was a lot of fun cause the conversation was so hilarious and entertaining. Thanks to TT for organizing it, and MA for inviting me to join this club.
That ends this entry, and now you know why I gave it the title, "Food, Food and more Food." :P
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wish everyone a happy long weekend. Eat lots, and work out later! :D
My family isn't going to have a turkey thanksgiving this weekend. Muzpuppet and Chiquita are out of town, and we're also celebrating Chung-yeung festival today. If we have a turkey dinner tomorrow, then it's way, way, way too much fowl in two days.
Instead, we're going to have lasagna tomorrow, with a salad. The only thing I wish I could have is pumpkin pie. I love the Farmer's Market ones they sell at Loblaws.
This afternoon, both my family and Uncle Frank's family are going into Mississauga to visit the tombstones of my paternal grandparents. After that, they're coming over for dinner. Mum has made coconut curry chicken, salty roast chicken and soya sauce roast chicken. See? I said we were having a lot of fowl this weekend.
Okay, gotta go get ready.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
My family isn't going to have a turkey thanksgiving this weekend. Muzpuppet and Chiquita are out of town, and we're also celebrating Chung-yeung festival today. If we have a turkey dinner tomorrow, then it's way, way, way too much fowl in two days.
Instead, we're going to have lasagna tomorrow, with a salad. The only thing I wish I could have is pumpkin pie. I love the Farmer's Market ones they sell at Loblaws.
This afternoon, both my family and Uncle Frank's family are going into Mississauga to visit the tombstones of my paternal grandparents. After that, they're coming over for dinner. Mum has made coconut curry chicken, salty roast chicken and soya sauce roast chicken. See? I said we were having a lot of fowl this weekend.
Okay, gotta go get ready.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Hello, Long Time No Read
Now that I'm working full time, I find that I have very little time to read for pleasure. There is one place where I visit frequently for short and heart-warming stories. The place is the "Lost and Found" column at The Toronto Star. I believe it is only viewable online, and if you're interested, here is the link: Requires Login/Registration to view
I usually read it once a week, and I will find about 5-8 stories there. The first two stories I read will make me tear up. The 2nd and 3rd stories will start to choke me up. The 4th story onwards surely make me cry. Any more than that, and I'll be sitting at my computer, sobbing. That's the type of person I am. Good things in the world move me greatly.
And now, for something totally unrelated.
WEAR YOUR SEATBELT.
It doesn't take a lot of work to pull that strap over your chest and buckle it securely in place. And, if you think it feels uncomfortable, imagine how you'd be feeling in a hospital bed, with a head concussion, broken collarbone, broken ribs, arms, legs, and so on. You think that feels good? O_o
Today, one of my ESL classes had to work on a newspaper article search activity. Midway through, a student came up to me, and was crying. I asked the student what was wrong? That's when I was told that the one of the victims of the car crash on the morning of Sept. 27 was a close friend of my student. I was not prepared for this.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of those 3 victims. May their mistake teach those around them a valuable lesson.
I usually read it once a week, and I will find about 5-8 stories there. The first two stories I read will make me tear up. The 2nd and 3rd stories will start to choke me up. The 4th story onwards surely make me cry. Any more than that, and I'll be sitting at my computer, sobbing. That's the type of person I am. Good things in the world move me greatly.
And now, for something totally unrelated.
WEAR YOUR SEATBELT.
It doesn't take a lot of work to pull that strap over your chest and buckle it securely in place. And, if you think it feels uncomfortable, imagine how you'd be feeling in a hospital bed, with a head concussion, broken collarbone, broken ribs, arms, legs, and so on. You think that feels good? O_o
Today, one of my ESL classes had to work on a newspaper article search activity. Midway through, a student came up to me, and was crying. I asked the student what was wrong? That's when I was told that the one of the victims of the car crash on the morning of Sept. 27 was a close friend of my student. I was not prepared for this.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of those 3 victims. May their mistake teach those around them a valuable lesson.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Lots to say...
First of all, my condolences go out to the citizens of New Orleans, to all the families who are now homeless, and the children who may now be orphaned. I pray that God will grant you the strength and the courage to help those around you, and that those around you will offer you their help as well.
For those who are committing heinous acts of selfishness and cowardice, I believe God will punish them in due course, even if the judicial system cannot manage it at the moment.
Secondly, I have been increasingly busy with helping Muzpuppet and Chiquita Wonder with their wedding. Also, I will be starting a new teaching job next week, so I've been busy planning what to do for lessons.
That is really all that I feel like saying at the moment. I hope that in the coming days, the generosity and the kindness that the people of New Orleans and elsewhere show to the victims of Katrina will strengthen their hope and their resolve.
God bless them.
For those who are committing heinous acts of selfishness and cowardice, I believe God will punish them in due course, even if the judicial system cannot manage it at the moment.
Secondly, I have been increasingly busy with helping Muzpuppet and Chiquita Wonder with their wedding. Also, I will be starting a new teaching job next week, so I've been busy planning what to do for lessons.
That is really all that I feel like saying at the moment. I hope that in the coming days, the generosity and the kindness that the people of New Orleans and elsewhere show to the victims of Katrina will strengthen their hope and their resolve.
God bless them.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
New Governor General to Succeed Adrienne Clarkson
"Michaëlle Jean, the Haitian-born television personality who appears on both CBC's English and French networks, will become the 27th governor general of Canada. Prime Minister Paul Martin announced this morning that the Queen has approved the appointment of Jean as her next representative in Canada."
-The Toronto Star
"I know that I will put all my convictions and my strength toward defending people who need to be defended in terms of the dignity of women, dignity for freedoms, and dignity for the disadvantaged," Ms. Jean said.
"The most important value, in my eyes, is respect. The Canada I love is the one that defines itself through its respect for others, and through its recognition of each person's integrity and dignity."
-The Globe and Mail
The 48-year-old television journalist, who immigrated to Canada from Port-au-Prince in 1968 and grew up in Quebec, will assume her position as the country's representative to the Queen when Adrienne Clarkson steps down in September.
Ms. Jean's family fled the regime of dictator François (Papa Doc) Duvalier when she was 11 years old.
"Born in Haiti, she has known what it is to come to a new country with little more than hope, hope and a belief that with hard work a new country can bring new opportunity," Prime Minister Paul Martin said at a press conference.
"Hers is a story that reminds us what it is best about ourselves and what's best about Canada, a nation of equality of opportunity is our most defining characteristic, giving testament to our longest held values."
-The Globe and Mail
-The Toronto Star
"I know that I will put all my convictions and my strength toward defending people who need to be defended in terms of the dignity of women, dignity for freedoms, and dignity for the disadvantaged," Ms. Jean said.
"The most important value, in my eyes, is respect. The Canada I love is the one that defines itself through its respect for others, and through its recognition of each person's integrity and dignity."
-The Globe and Mail
The 48-year-old television journalist, who immigrated to Canada from Port-au-Prince in 1968 and grew up in Quebec, will assume her position as the country's representative to the Queen when Adrienne Clarkson steps down in September.
Ms. Jean's family fled the regime of dictator François (Papa Doc) Duvalier when she was 11 years old.
"Born in Haiti, she has known what it is to come to a new country with little more than hope, hope and a belief that with hard work a new country can bring new opportunity," Prime Minister Paul Martin said at a press conference.
"Hers is a story that reminds us what it is best about ourselves and what's best about Canada, a nation of equality of opportunity is our most defining characteristic, giving testament to our longest held values."
-The Globe and Mail
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
My Wand if I were a witch living in Potterverse
12", Holly, Dragon You scored 36 wisdom, 44 bravery, 10 emotional, and 22 martyrdom! |
Holly is a powerful protective wood that good for use against evil, but it also represents dreams and fertility. Your dragon's heartstring core makes your wand very effective in hexes. |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Harry Potter Wand Test written by sputnik845 on Ok Cupid |
If you want to take your own test, you can click on the title of this post.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review #3
What is the strongest image or emotion that I take away from this reading experience? The answer: Indignation.
What I find most disturbing is J.K. Rowling's portrayal of adolescent behaviour. What we saw in the Half-Blood Prince is the reinforcement of adolescent stereotypes. Boys are hormone-crazed to the point of abandoning all reason in favour of satisfying that primal urge. Girls are no smarter than setting up schemes to make these boys jealous, in the hopes that the boys will take notice of the girls, and finally appreciate them.
I have worked in both high schools and junior high schools, and I can say that yes, such adolescents do exist. But, are they the majority? Certainly not. There is a large group of adolescents who do know what it means to respect their peers, to work hard and earn good grades, to uphold their principals and their honour against the ever-intensifying onslaught of peer pressure. What J.K. Rowling has done in Half-Blood Prince is to perpetuate all the negative stereotypes. Not only that, she romanticizes these stereotypes. Instead of showing what is wrong with this type of behaviour, she turns it into a comedic sequence to evoke amusement rather than disapproval.
J.K. Rowling has garnered so much respect over the years, and her voice is one of the most revered and idolized in our modern literary culture. She could have made a statement and taught a few lessons, set up some positive examples and role models. Instead, Rowling chose to sumbit to the degenerating stereotypes of juvenile pop culture. What a shame.
What I find most disturbing is J.K. Rowling's portrayal of adolescent behaviour. What we saw in the Half-Blood Prince is the reinforcement of adolescent stereotypes. Boys are hormone-crazed to the point of abandoning all reason in favour of satisfying that primal urge. Girls are no smarter than setting up schemes to make these boys jealous, in the hopes that the boys will take notice of the girls, and finally appreciate them.
I have worked in both high schools and junior high schools, and I can say that yes, such adolescents do exist. But, are they the majority? Certainly not. There is a large group of adolescents who do know what it means to respect their peers, to work hard and earn good grades, to uphold their principals and their honour against the ever-intensifying onslaught of peer pressure. What J.K. Rowling has done in Half-Blood Prince is to perpetuate all the negative stereotypes. Not only that, she romanticizes these stereotypes. Instead of showing what is wrong with this type of behaviour, she turns it into a comedic sequence to evoke amusement rather than disapproval.
J.K. Rowling has garnered so much respect over the years, and her voice is one of the most revered and idolized in our modern literary culture. She could have made a statement and taught a few lessons, set up some positive examples and role models. Instead, Rowling chose to sumbit to the degenerating stereotypes of juvenile pop culture. What a shame.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review #2 - Spoilers
Over the years, the Harry Potter books have endured an ongoing debate about whether these are truly children's books? Or, do they have more complexity to satisfy the mature adult reader? I thought they did, and I defended the books by pointing to the characterization.
In the first book, we're introduced to an ensemble of stock characters. You have the pitiful, yet noble hero, Harry Potter. You have the less-than-bright, but very loyal Ron Weasley, the sidekick. Then you have the brainiac and annoying enemy-turned-friend, Hermione Granger. From that point onwards, these three characters have grown in complexity up until the 5th book, The Order of the Phoenix. Harry gains more confidence as a wizard, to the point of becoming over-confident and arrogant, and he paid the price with his God-father's death. Ron Weasley's blind loyalty was tested in book 4, when he became so jealous of Harry's accomplishments that the abandoned his friend and hero in a time of great need. In book 5, Ron Weasley finally started to come into his own by earning respect from his peers. Hermione Granger, one of the most complex female characters ever written in fantasy fiction, went from being a stern rule-follower to becoming an intellectual equal for Harry Potter. Not only is she incredibly smart, but she is also very wise. Without Hermione Granger, Harry Potter would likely not have survived past his first year at Hogwarts.
In the most recent book, the Half-Blood Prince, all three of these characters underwent such a tremendous change, and they are changes that had no basis the previous books, which begs the question of the lack of continuity from the first 5 parts, to this 6th part.
Now, Harry has turned into a wizard sleuth who gets almost all the answers correct. In the past, it was his fallibility that made him appear human, that gave him the semblance of a real person trying to go through life's struggles. Now, he's just the perfect hero who can virtually do no wrong.
Ron Weasley has turned into a hot stud, one who knows how to get the female students around him all a-flutter just for him being in the same room. His loyalty to Harry no longer means anything to the story because he is completely cut-off from the main action sequences. Then again, one might argue that his began in the previous book. The most disturbing part of his character-development is the sudden violent tendancies. In one scene, he is being teased by his older brother, and in his anger, he threw a knife at his brother. This is a very sinister change in Ron's characterization, and unless Rowling deals with it in book 7, it will be nothing more than a lame attempt to show how macho Ron has become. Violence = masculinity? Very disturbing to say the least.
Finally, and most disappointing of all, Hermione Granger's character has been transformed into your average high school bitch. Becuase she couldn't get Ron to ask her out on a date, she goes with a total loser, Cormac McLaggen. She submits herself to McLaggen's groping just to get Ron jealous. When that fails, she fires a flock of canary birds to attack Ron. Hermione? Would she really do that, based on how she's been portrayed from books 1 to 5? What happened to studying hard to earn good grades? What happened to helping Harry solve mysteries and fighting dark forces? What happened to fighting for House Elf rights?
If these changes are J.K. Rowling's idea of character-development, then maybe she should write episodes for a new WB teen drama television series. Spare us the pain of having to buy and read such juvenile "children's literature," simply an insult to the genre.
In the first book, we're introduced to an ensemble of stock characters. You have the pitiful, yet noble hero, Harry Potter. You have the less-than-bright, but very loyal Ron Weasley, the sidekick. Then you have the brainiac and annoying enemy-turned-friend, Hermione Granger. From that point onwards, these three characters have grown in complexity up until the 5th book, The Order of the Phoenix. Harry gains more confidence as a wizard, to the point of becoming over-confident and arrogant, and he paid the price with his God-father's death. Ron Weasley's blind loyalty was tested in book 4, when he became so jealous of Harry's accomplishments that the abandoned his friend and hero in a time of great need. In book 5, Ron Weasley finally started to come into his own by earning respect from his peers. Hermione Granger, one of the most complex female characters ever written in fantasy fiction, went from being a stern rule-follower to becoming an intellectual equal for Harry Potter. Not only is she incredibly smart, but she is also very wise. Without Hermione Granger, Harry Potter would likely not have survived past his first year at Hogwarts.
In the most recent book, the Half-Blood Prince, all three of these characters underwent such a tremendous change, and they are changes that had no basis the previous books, which begs the question of the lack of continuity from the first 5 parts, to this 6th part.
Now, Harry has turned into a wizard sleuth who gets almost all the answers correct. In the past, it was his fallibility that made him appear human, that gave him the semblance of a real person trying to go through life's struggles. Now, he's just the perfect hero who can virtually do no wrong.
Ron Weasley has turned into a hot stud, one who knows how to get the female students around him all a-flutter just for him being in the same room. His loyalty to Harry no longer means anything to the story because he is completely cut-off from the main action sequences. Then again, one might argue that his began in the previous book. The most disturbing part of his character-development is the sudden violent tendancies. In one scene, he is being teased by his older brother, and in his anger, he threw a knife at his brother. This is a very sinister change in Ron's characterization, and unless Rowling deals with it in book 7, it will be nothing more than a lame attempt to show how macho Ron has become. Violence = masculinity? Very disturbing to say the least.
Finally, and most disappointing of all, Hermione Granger's character has been transformed into your average high school bitch. Becuase she couldn't get Ron to ask her out on a date, she goes with a total loser, Cormac McLaggen. She submits herself to McLaggen's groping just to get Ron jealous. When that fails, she fires a flock of canary birds to attack Ron. Hermione? Would she really do that, based on how she's been portrayed from books 1 to 5? What happened to studying hard to earn good grades? What happened to helping Harry solve mysteries and fighting dark forces? What happened to fighting for House Elf rights?
If these changes are J.K. Rowling's idea of character-development, then maybe she should write episodes for a new WB teen drama television series. Spare us the pain of having to buy and read such juvenile "children's literature," simply an insult to the genre.
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince Review #1- Spoilers
This 6th book should be renamed Harry Potter and the Half-Arsed Plot.
It's been almost two weeks since the release of HP and the Half-Blood Prince, the much anticipated 6th book in the Harry Potter septet. Now that the hype, the confusion, the anger and the disappointment has pretty much subsided, I'm ready to write a review of the book, as well as giving my thoughts on what has happened in fandom after the book's release.
To start off, what did I think about the Half-Blood Prince? Other than the first chapter, "The Other Minister", the rest of the novel was cliched and immature for a writer who has garnered so much praise over the years. Before I wrote this, I tried to think of what I can say about the book. What happened in this 6th novel? The answer: NOTHING. "That's not true!" "Lot's happened!" This is what other HP fans would be shouting at me if I said announced this in a junior high school cafetaria. Let me see if they're right.
What Happened:
1. Snape is revealed as truly evil.
2. Harry developes a monsterous infatuation with Ginny Weasley.
3. Ron is the jerk he's always been, except now, he's lost all faculty of reason and has turned more violent than ever.
4. Hermione has given up her education and given up on Harry's mission in favour of devising schemes to make Ron jealous enough that he'd finally ask her out.
5. Harry discovers what keeps Voldemort alive.
6. Dumbledore, an arrogant fool, dies at the hand of a man he trusted blindly
7. Harry and Ginny break up
Some friends of mine have dubbed this 6th book, "Hogwarts Creek," "Hogwarts 90210," and "Half-Arsed Prince." I don't know which of these is worse, but they're all pretty indicative of how poorly written the Half-Blood Prince is. For a plot-driven novel (considered low-quality literature), there's hardly any plot! For shame!
What happened to the clues that are introduced at the beginning, and are revealed at the end to have significant impact on the story? None.
What happened to learning new spells and using them to save their own lives at the end of the novel? Remember the Summoning Charm in The Goblet of Fire? None.
What happened to the twist endings of the previous books? Remember Sirius Black in the Prisoner of Azkaban? None.
The Half-Blood Prince had none of these clever mystery story-telling techniques. Instead, you have a story where one boy chases after a girl, but he doesn't have the courage to, and they play jealousy games. You have a conflict that is explained and analysed through conversation, rather than through action. You have characters who act out-of-character to meet the demands of a simplistic and cliched plot.
Plotwise, I give the Half-Blood Prince 1 star out of five.
It's been almost two weeks since the release of HP and the Half-Blood Prince, the much anticipated 6th book in the Harry Potter septet. Now that the hype, the confusion, the anger and the disappointment has pretty much subsided, I'm ready to write a review of the book, as well as giving my thoughts on what has happened in fandom after the book's release.
To start off, what did I think about the Half-Blood Prince? Other than the first chapter, "The Other Minister", the rest of the novel was cliched and immature for a writer who has garnered so much praise over the years. Before I wrote this, I tried to think of what I can say about the book. What happened in this 6th novel? The answer: NOTHING. "That's not true!" "Lot's happened!" This is what other HP fans would be shouting at me if I said announced this in a junior high school cafetaria. Let me see if they're right.
What Happened:
1. Snape is revealed as truly evil.
2. Harry developes a monsterous infatuation with Ginny Weasley.
3. Ron is the jerk he's always been, except now, he's lost all faculty of reason and has turned more violent than ever.
4. Hermione has given up her education and given up on Harry's mission in favour of devising schemes to make Ron jealous enough that he'd finally ask her out.
5. Harry discovers what keeps Voldemort alive.
6. Dumbledore, an arrogant fool, dies at the hand of a man he trusted blindly
7. Harry and Ginny break up
Some friends of mine have dubbed this 6th book, "Hogwarts Creek," "Hogwarts 90210," and "Half-Arsed Prince." I don't know which of these is worse, but they're all pretty indicative of how poorly written the Half-Blood Prince is. For a plot-driven novel (considered low-quality literature), there's hardly any plot! For shame!
What happened to the clues that are introduced at the beginning, and are revealed at the end to have significant impact on the story? None.
What happened to learning new spells and using them to save their own lives at the end of the novel? Remember the Summoning Charm in The Goblet of Fire? None.
What happened to the twist endings of the previous books? Remember Sirius Black in the Prisoner of Azkaban? None.
The Half-Blood Prince had none of these clever mystery story-telling techniques. Instead, you have a story where one boy chases after a girl, but he doesn't have the courage to, and they play jealousy games. You have a conflict that is explained and analysed through conversation, rather than through action. You have characters who act out-of-character to meet the demands of a simplistic and cliched plot.
Plotwise, I give the Half-Blood Prince 1 star out of five.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
River, by Joni Mitchell
It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don’t snow here
It stays pretty green
I’m going to make a lot of money
Then I’m going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I’m so hard to handle
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I made my baby say goodbye
It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Sometimes, there are certain songs that you have liked for a long time, and then something happens to you that allows you to understand that song in a whole new way. This is one of them.
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don’t snow here
It stays pretty green
I’m going to make a lot of money
Then I’m going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I’m so hard to handle
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I made my baby say goodbye
It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Sometimes, there are certain songs that you have liked for a long time, and then something happens to you that allows you to understand that song in a whole new way. This is one of them.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Blog Updates
I've added a Buddy list of of links. Please go check 'em out!
p.s. Nevermind, the links don't work for some reason. :(
p.p.s. OH! It works! They're all working now! :D
p.s. Nevermind, the links don't work for some reason. :(
p.p.s. OH! It works! They're all working now! :D
Monday, June 06, 2005
Luke 16: 19-31 The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus
I find it incredibly ironic.
Two weeks ago, I did a presentation in Sunday School with another Christian, and we presented the passage of the Rich man and Lazarus. We had been studying for several weeks about how the poor go to heaven and the rich go to hell.
The story in this specific passage is about a sick man named Lazarus, who lies at the gate of a rich man's house. He is so poor and so sick, he cannot go and make a living for himself and buy food to eat. He has sores all over his body, so even if he could walk, he would likely not have been able to find a job with any employer. So, all he wants are the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table and he would have been happy. But, the rich man walks past Lazarus day after day, and he does nothing to help Lazarus, or even to inquire about Lazarus' condition. He just ignored Lazarus day after day. After they both died, Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man went to hell.
I find that it is incredibly ironic how two weeks ago I read about how God judges uncharitable behaviour, and this past weekend, I witnessed it. Instead, the surprising thing is that Clare and I, the semi-non Christians were Lazarus, and the Christians were the rich men.
Two weeks ago, I did a presentation in Sunday School with another Christian, and we presented the passage of the Rich man and Lazarus. We had been studying for several weeks about how the poor go to heaven and the rich go to hell.
The story in this specific passage is about a sick man named Lazarus, who lies at the gate of a rich man's house. He is so poor and so sick, he cannot go and make a living for himself and buy food to eat. He has sores all over his body, so even if he could walk, he would likely not have been able to find a job with any employer. So, all he wants are the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table and he would have been happy. But, the rich man walks past Lazarus day after day, and he does nothing to help Lazarus, or even to inquire about Lazarus' condition. He just ignored Lazarus day after day. After they both died, Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man went to hell.
I find that it is incredibly ironic how two weeks ago I read about how God judges uncharitable behaviour, and this past weekend, I witnessed it. Instead, the surprising thing is that Clare and I, the semi-non Christians were Lazarus, and the Christians were the rich men.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Christians Leading by Bad Examples
After attending church regularly for a year, and on occasion, Sunday school classes, one thing I've learned from listening to the sermons and studying the scripture is that Christians are supposed to lead by example and be role models of kind, generous and charitable behaviour. What I witnessed today was far from that. So far, I am very disappointed still.
Today, I brought some cakes I made to my church's softball tournament. It's a bake sale, for which all the proceeds will go to a charity, the Canadian Cancer Society. Instead of supporting such a meaningful cause, and supporting our efforts to do something good, what I got from some of my "brothers and sisters" was mockery and put-downs. If they don't want to support my cause, fine; but it is really necessary to continually belittle our efforts.
This is the second time that I have encountered something like that. But this time, it hurts more becuase this time, these are my "brothers and sisters" who have done this to me, not some strangers that I met at another church. I will take this as God's challenge to me. As like in the Bible, there are good Christians and there are no so good Christians. Today, what happened to me was really caused by a few bad apples. I will try to put this into perspective and understand what having faith and dealing with adversity means.
Today, I brought some cakes I made to my church's softball tournament. It's a bake sale, for which all the proceeds will go to a charity, the Canadian Cancer Society. Instead of supporting such a meaningful cause, and supporting our efforts to do something good, what I got from some of my "brothers and sisters" was mockery and put-downs. If they don't want to support my cause, fine; but it is really necessary to continually belittle our efforts.
This is the second time that I have encountered something like that. But this time, it hurts more becuase this time, these are my "brothers and sisters" who have done this to me, not some strangers that I met at another church. I will take this as God's challenge to me. As like in the Bible, there are good Christians and there are no so good Christians. Today, what happened to me was really caused by a few bad apples. I will try to put this into perspective and understand what having faith and dealing with adversity means.
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