christina's english blog

Today I recited my poem I had no time to hate by Emily Dickinson, and here is my poster.

 One aspect of the course I enjoyed most was exploring the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Her work connected with me because of how she explored deep themes of nature and solitude through very short, impactful lines. My favorite assignment was the final exam project when i did a deep dive into one of her poems. As we move into the spring, I hope to improve my ability to understand complex metaphors in more challenging texts.

  A simple but important tradition is going to the movie theater with my mom on Christmas Eve afternoon. We always see the big new movie that just came out, and it's our time just to relax and focus on something fun before the chaos of the holiday begins. It matters because it's a calm, consistent thing we do together every year, and it feels special to share that excitement and quiet time just before the big holiday. Even as I get older, it's a great way to make sure we have a nice, uninterrupted memory together.

  When I was little, the holidays felt like pure magic; it was all about the immediate thrill of waking up, seeing the tree, and the excitement of opening gifts. Now that I'm a teenager, the experience is less about Santa and more about the break from school and hanging out with my friends when I can. The meaning has changed from simply receiving things to appreciating the traditions my family has.

 Something that I've outgrown but still miss is drawing and art. When I was younger, I loved drawing, and I was pretty good at it. I loved it so much that when I got older, I wanted to become an animator and go to art school. I remember when I was 10, my mom took me to CalArts, which is the best art school to go to if you want to become an animator. Unfortunately, as I got older and had more responsibilities to fulfill, I didn't really have time to draw and create art, so I lost passion for it. However, sometimes when I'm bored in class, I can still create some impressive doodles.

 Something that I cannot stop thinking about is school. I don't really like school at all, and I'm always thinking about it. I usually think about the assignments I have to do and my grades. Then, when I think of the grades, I  have to think of how to maintain my grades or how to bring them up. Even when I'm on break, assignments and school still linger in the back of my mind. I guess this will continue to be something that stays on my mind until I graduate from college. 

 This is my cultural identity mask. On it, I included things that represent me! It was fun to learn about my other classmates today as well. 

  The best gift I've ever received was my German Shepherd named Dulche. It was my eleventh birthday, and I was at my uncle's house, and I was opening up my gifts. Then he told me he had a surprise for me, and showed me something on his phone. It was a picture of two adorable German Shepherd puppies! At first, I was confused, but then he told me that we could go pick them up after their mother nursed them for a couple of weeks. The other puppy would be named Milo, and he belonged to my cousin. Now Dulche and Milo are both 5 years old, and although they've grown up to be very big, they will always be my babies. Today, in class, we learned about formal and informal writing and began brainstorming our unpopular opinions. 

 The film Identity clearly showed how wearing a mask represents the pressure to conform, hiding the struggle to discover one’s true self. The moment the main character chose to break their mask stood out because it powerfully symbolized rejecting expectations for authenticity. This act of self-assertion connects to Langston Hughes’s "I, Too," where the speaker insists on his rightful, visible place at the table. For my class mask, I want to reveal the pride and deep connection I feel to my African American heritage. This mask will serve as a bold declaration, not a covering.

 I am most proud of the rich tradition of cooking and food within the African American culture. These recipes, often called soul food, are powerful reminders of history, creativity, and resilience. Cooking and sharing these meals, like making mac and cheese or greens, helps my family gather together and celebrate our history. The familiar flavors and aromas connect me to my past and remind me of the strength and love in our community. Eating this food makes me feel deeply proud and connected to who I am.

 Back when I was in middle school, one of my best friends was a bit of a kleptomanic. Every time we would hang out and go to the mall, she would shoplift. Sometimes, if I saw something I liked, she would get it for me and surprise me with it later. Although she was stealing, I didn't really care because she never got caught. However, I realized now, as I'm older, that stealing is wrong. And if we ever did get caught, even if I didn't steal anything,  I may have been charged as well and gotten into big trouble.

 Something meaningful or memorable that happened during my break was that I worked my first Black Friday at my job. It was really chaotic but also fun. Also, on December 1st, I went to see my favorite artist, Playboi Carti, perform live. It was unforgettable. I've been listening to him for about 6 years, and I'm a huge fan. It was surreal to hear his songs live.