The Scarlet Letter - Review.

Before I do my book review... I want to say a couple of things.
1. Tonight I stopped saxophone lessons. I have thought a lot about this and my decision has not come lightly. I don't want to talk long about this... But the short of it is: I lost my passion for it and I don't see myself playing my whole life. I don't enjoy it as much as my other music (piano and voice). Plus, along with that, it's one last thing I have to worry about and practice.
2. On a happier note... I went to Barnes and Nobles tonight and saw, for the second time, The Hobbit novel, translated into Latin. *shakes head* Hee hee... It's so odd. Why Latin?
Also at Barnes and Nobles I saw DOCTOR WHO STUFF!!!!! =D They had a t-shirt ("You never forget your first doctor"), the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver (if they had had Nine's, I would have gotten it - but they didn't), some toys (a talking Dalek. Hee hee. And a lot of TARDIS'), and also a 50th anniversary edition of Doctor Who Monopoly.
It was super cool.

Now onto my review.

Title: The Scarlet Letter. (Book for literature class.)

Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Synopsis: Hester Prynne has committed adultery and has borne a daughter, Pearl. In the Puritan community in the 1600's this is a horrible crime. As a result, Hester must wear a scarlet letter A on her bosom. Meanwhile, Hester's husband finds out and is determined to find and torture the man who fathered Pearl. Also there is Arthur Dimmesdale, who is a pastor suffering with a secret that would cost him his position.

My rating: 5/10.

Why I liked the story: It was relatively easy to read and the chapters were short. I think the longest one (not counting "The Custom House") is about six or seven pages. That was nice. It was a much easier read (and shorter) than The Last of the Mohicans, which was the last literature book.
Nathaniel Hawthorne is a good writer. He has a way of capturing your emotions and making you wish that everything ends happily (which is doesn't). He twists your emotions and in the end, you wish that Hester and Pearl's father get together, which is sinful and wrong, but you still feel it.
He portrayed his characters well.
The themes of the book were good: Sin and the result of sin; judgement; and stuff like that.
There were no swear words or open use of the word adultery (which is kind of interesting).

Why I didn't like the story/things you need to know: I was really stretching to come up with good things to say about this book because the truth of it is, I did not enjoy this book. My mom loves it, though. It would be a lie to say that I understood why.
Anyway, in my opinion, the bad outweighs the good. I'm not even sure where to start... Maybe with Pearl.
Pearl is Hester's daughter. She is a wild child and Hester doesn't really control her... (In the book they say she can't because Pearl is too wild). It is mentioned several times that Pearl is 'otherworldly' and elfish. Almost as if she's possessed or a changling or something.
Hawthorne put Hester in kind of the light of an angel. I didn't think that was right because she did sin and that shouldn't be portrayed in a white, pure kind of way.
Also, the characters had so much inner turmoil. All they had to do was go to God and ask for forgiveness, but instead they stew inside themselves.
Hawthorne didn't really portray the Puritans accurately.

Have I read it before? Nope.

Will I read it again? I'm not planning to as of right now but who knows, that may change in the future.

Would I recommend it? Maybe as a one time read.

Overall I didn't like the book... Other might, however. It certainly gets you thinking.

Day by day, and with each passing moment....

....Strength I find to meet my trials here; trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or fear.

Those who have been around since my first month of blogging may remember THIS post about my first day of school.
I thought I'd do a post similar - about the curriculums I am currently using.

In science, I am studying biology with Exploring Creation with Biology by Dr. Jay Wile. I have been using the "Exploring Creation...." curriculum for almost my entire student life. They are very good books, though sometimes dry and boring, like all science books can be. I am enjoying biology a lot more than physical science, which was the last book.
And off to the left is my self-decorated amazing science notebook.... complete with Paul McCartney, the Beatles, a Star Trek logo, the TARDIS, the Ninth and Tenth doctors, and a picture of my piano.
And above the Beatles is a quote by Benjamin Franklin: "Never leave that for tomorrow which you can do today."

In math I am grade or two behind... So I'm trying to get caught up in that.
So far in algebra we've just been doing review... All the easy questions are throwing me off! I expect them to be hard, over think them, and end up getting the wrong answer. Sigh....
Teaching Textbooks is a good math curriculum for those who don't understand how math works (that would be me!). It explains things very well and you can buy an explanatory CD for the computer that helps you along as well.

My mother is the teacher of my writing "class" made up of me and two friends. We are learning how to write good essays using The Lively Art of Writing by Lucile Vaughan Payne. I am learning lots of good things! I only wish the author would cut back on the examples!

I'm learning cursive for the first time....

And I'm still learning Dutch with Rosetta Stone.

The literature course I am currently going through is Excellence in Literature the American literature study. The books to read include, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin, Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Moby Dick by Herman Melville, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

Then of course there's music..... I'm in choir and ensemble where we are singing very very fun songs!
I also started singing lessons! Very very exciting... I'm sing the Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) currently... Maybe I'll post me singing it when I get it worked up.
There's saxophone:

And piano! Right now I've got lots of piano on my plate.... scales, Hanon excercises, a Handel Gavotte, the Solfeggietto, Beethoven, Christmas jazz.... Lots to work on.

And here is me playing "Day by Day" arranged by Mark Hayes. I playing this in church on Sunday.

Live long and prosper!

Two songs for you.

The song is called "Vuevlo Al Sur."
I'm playing both the saxophone and the piano accompaniment. No, I haven't sprouted two extra arms to play both instruments at the same time.
First I recorded myself playing the piano accompaniment and then I recorded myself playing the saxophone and put the two together. I think it turned out rather well, if I do say so myself.

And here is me playing Prelude in C by Bach.

Day 8: My goals for the upcoming year.

1. To read the Bible and pray everyday so I'll grow grow grow. I would really like to spend more time reading my Bible and praying each day.
2. To spend less time on the computer and more time studying.
3. To finish my math book and the next one.
4. To finish my science book and the next one.
5. To practice piano for more than an hour everyday.
6. To write a bit everyday.
7. To read at least a chapter a day if not more of whichever books I happen to be reading at the moment.
8. To play more board games with Dad.
9. To take better notes.
10. Whether I eat or drink or whatever I do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

While my family was walking in at my Grandpa's memorial service, my mom and I played a piano/saxophone duet of I Need Thee Every Hour and Abide With Me. I have been meaning to post it on my blog for Grama to here so here it is!
My mom is on piano and I am playing saxophone.

The auditorium type room we were in had AMAZING acoustics! It sounded like we were in a concert hall. It was beautiful. I would definitely play there again! The piano was really nice to play on as well! I love grand pianos.

What are your hopes and dreams for the upcoming year?

So long and thanks for all the fish!

Just for Grama! (and new notebooks!)

This is just for you Grama:

We went to Walmart and found these great notebooks for $1 each in clearance!

The second one is a "color me in" notebook. Soon I will have to grab my markers and color in the picture! This takes "scribbling in my homework" to a whole new level.
We also bought to folders that I can color in.
This one (houses = adorable! They remind me of Holland, where Grama says the houses are near together) :

And this one!

Speech bubbles! How fun! I'm already filling them with quotes from Star Trek, Monty Python, StarGate, Sherlock Holmes, Tintin.... you name it! And I have a few Bible verses planned and some from Lord of the Rings.... I hope there is enough room for Doctor Who quotes (once I watch more of the series)!
I'm thinking of coloring the background blue or red or yellow.... Hmmmm....

Speaking of coloring.... This is hanging on our garage-into-the-house door:

Hmmmm, how did that get there? I have a feeling that Gandalf had something to do with it....

And who's party is it? Mine! =D Don't worry, I won't be disappearing with any magic rings. I doubt I'll even get to say a speech..... Oh well. I'm not inviting half the Shire (just the two friends I have known for the longest time) so I doubt I will have to go through the bother of saying, "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." Hey, that's a good quote for my folders!

Anyway, I will be having a Tintin themed birthday party on Thursday and that's all you are going to find out until after the party. Mwahahahahaaaa.....

Have a great week!



Snow!

I was awakened from my slumber by the voice of my dad,
"Wake up."
"Hmmmff...?" I replied.
"I'm going to go take a shower now. We're going to leave for church in about 45 minutes so make sure your up and ready to go. And by the way, it's snowing."
"WHAT?!"
I jumped up in my half asleep state and hurriedly opened my blinds. Wrong choice. White light flooded into my face and I stumbled back. It took a few minutes for me to adjust to the light and also to being awake. Then I was able to slowly lift my face to look out my window.... Beautiful, large, snowflakes were falling down from the heavens!
Here is what my backyard looked like at about 8:30.

Here is my backyard after church around 12 noon.

And finally, here is my backyard at 3:00 after I got home from saxophone lessons.

It looks pretty much the same this morning but there's more snow on the way! So the weather forecast says....

We left the house at 1:30. I climbed in the passenger seat while Daddy put my instrument in the back seat. I was gushing about how cool the snow was, literally. As we slowly inched our way down the hill that we live on, the snow got less and less. As we continued to drive downwards, it disappeared all together. Although the change in elevation wasn't much, it was enough to ensure the snow would stop falling. But by the time we reached our destination, the mall where I had saxophone lessons, the snow had begun to lightly fall - it looked just like salt!
45 minutes later saxophone lessons ended and we were headed outside. It had turned into a winter wonderland! A whole inch of snow had fallen, turning the bare ground white. And flakes were still falling!
I almost wished that I didn't have to to a baby shower and youth group... Then I could just play in the wonderful, beautiful, amazing snow!

Although I had things to do yesterday, I did find time to get outside and take some picture of my doll Jess!
Here are some of the highlights. I love this first picture... I caught Jess falling over.


Dolls in trees anyone?

I love this last picture because of the contrast between the green grass and white snow. The neighbors have huge trees in their backyard. The branches overhang into our yard so the snow hadn't reached underneath yet. Now, however, there is lots of wonderful snow to be found there =D


Sadly, the snow means that we won't be attempting to get to piano lessons today... Oh well, it gives me a chance to practice my music some more.
As I have been writing this post it has began to snow again! =D
But enough about snow.... I want to tell you about something else exciting that happened yesterday.
Mom and I were watching TV last night. After our program was over a commercial came on for Sherlock! Sherlock is a British TV series by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). Currently there are two seasons and each season has three episodes. This Sherlock series is set in current times - the 21st century.
Anyway, on came a commercial for the first episode of Sherlock and what do you know, it was on next! I begged to be allowed to watch it and Mom let me. It was so good!
The story starts out with Dr. Watson dreaming about fighting in the war. The next day he's walking in a park when he meets an old friend. They get to talking and Watson tells his friend that he's looking for a cheap place to live but all the places in England are too expensive. His friend suggests splitting the rent with someone and Watson replies, "Who'd be crazy enough to move in with me?"
Watson's friend says, "That's funny. Your the second person to tell me that today."
Watson and his friend go to the other person to talk about splitting the rent.... And I'm sure you can all guess who the other person was!
Sherlock Holmes.
Soon, Watson is involved in a thrilling case concerning four serial "suicides" which actually turn out to be murders. He's amazed at Sherlock's powers of deduction and just can't stay out of the excitement.
As Sherlock's brother Mycroft said, "You're not haunted by the war Dr. Watson, you miss it."
I absolutely loved the show.... I can't wait until next Sunday when I can see the next one!
The first episode, titled A Study in Pink, is loosely based off of the Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet. I loved that the writers (one of them is actually one of the writers for the Tintin movie!) kept the original meeting or Sherlock and Watson so true to the book. There was also many things apparent from the books hidden in the dialogue. Sherlock was telling Watson that his brother Mycroft "Was the British government." I just read that line in a Sherlock Holmes short story!
I have mentioned Mycroft Holmes a number of times.... I loved that he was in this first episode. He calls Watson and tells him to get in a car or else threats will be made. Watson obliges and is taken to an old warehouse. Mycroft is there to meet him and tells him that he's Sherlock's arch enemy. Then, at the end of the episode he appears and Sherlock starts to talk to him. Watson, still thinking that Mycroft is an enemy, watches and is very surprised when the two mention, "Mummy."
"Wait, who is 'Mummy'?" Watson asked confused.
"Mummy - our mother!" replies Sherlock.
Then all is clear... Mycroft is Sherlock's brother and the two only have a petty, childish, brotherly, feud going on.

Well... I guess I should post this and go get ready for the day! and the snow! =D

Busy (maybe not...) Sunday

This morning when I woke up I didn't even have to get out of bed to feel my falls on the ice from yesterday... I had to get up at 7:30 (ok... I got away with 7:38) to make it to worship team practice at church which is at 8:00.
That went well; but the actual worship went even better. I had tears in my eyes by the last song. After singing I had to miss the sermon to be in the nursery. That was fun. Little kids are so cute.
After church was the annual church potluck which was also fun. Although I didn't do much but sit in the sun because by that time I was so sore and stiff I could hardly walk... The food was delicious, as always, and the company was great.
We had to leave at 2:50 to run home and grab my saxophone and then to go to lessons. Guess what I found out? My sax teacher likes Tintin! I was very excited to hear that... He said in his English accent, "Not many people in the United States can say they know about the Thom(p)son Twins." I said, "To be precise."
When I got home I was even more sore than at the potluck so Dad and I played a game of Robo Rally where you have to try move your robot to the #1 on the board. During this, your robot can get in the path of lazers, fall in holes, fall off the board, and a number of other things that end it's short lived existence. It was super fun.
Then I was plagued with not knowing what to do (I'm not calling it boredom because boredom is a choice, and I choose never to be bored) so I started thinking... What's to do on a Sunday evening? Watch this and you'll find out...



P.S. Sorry the captions on the videos aren't showing up that well... In order they say:
Watch a fly crawling on the window
Sing a song
Play piano
Pet The Dog
Play saxophone
Read a really good book
Write a story
Listen to the radio
Watch a sci-fi show =)
With your favorite character Dr. Daniel Jackson =D

"First" day of school.

Today was my official "first" day of homeschool, although my co-op classes don't start until the 20th.
The day started with my alarm waking me up at 8:00. While discussing the upcoming school year with my mom we decided I would be getting up at 8:00 every morning.... So far so good. Although it wasn't so much getting up as rolling out of bed with a grunt...
Moving on.
My Mom and I are going through the book of Acts in the Bible. Currently, our pastor is also going through Acts in his sermons. We are about 11 chapters behind him.
Today we read about Paul and Barnabas preaching in Pisidion Antioch. I remember our pastor's sermon on the verses we read... It was very good.
The Archaeological Study Bible we own is very interesting. It has pictures and facts about the places and people in the Bible.


Next in the day came math. Math is my weakest subject... I am trying to get through this math book (nearly finished!) by the start of my classes.
Teaching Textbooks is a very good curriculum. It comes with CDs that go into the computer that explain everything in the book. And if you mess up, it explains what you did wrong and how to fix it.
Since I don't understand math, the CDs work really well for me.




After math on the computer I did Dutch on the computer with the program Rosetta Stone. I enjoy Dutch where you repeat what the program says and hope you get the pronunciation right.
Today I learned, "Mijn trou is bruin"
Or, "My sweater is brown"
Not too hard....


After that I took a break for a lunch of a polish hotdog on a hoagie bun with ketchup, mayonnaise, and potato chips. Although no the healthiest it tasted good!
After lunch I did some creative writing with a writing kit my friend gave me for my birthday. It gives you a prompt for everyday of the year and you have to write a short story or poem or report about the first thing the prompt puts in your mind. Sorry the picture is sideways... I can't fix that.


Science is my second least favorite subject.
My dad does science with me and today we learned about water... Well, we were supposed to be learning about water. But instead this chapter was about gasses and how to categorize molecules (at least... I think they were molecules).


My mom showed me this piano/solo song a few months ago. I sung while she played and then I decided I wanted to play it. I haven't thought about this song since then... Until today. I pulled it out and played and fell back in love with it. It has a fun piano part and singing part is gorgeous and has very joyous lyrics about Christ rising from the dead.


After science I played this board game with Dad. He won...


And then we played this board game. He won again.... (Sorry about the quality of the picture... I don't know what happened).


I also played my saxophone tonight. I have been playing the same song for three weeks. Not because I can't pass it off, but because my teacher hasn't had me play the song yet. Oh well, it's a hard song, I'm grateful for the extra time to practice it.


Oh look! A cute dog!