Identity & Globalization: A Logo

The book and the pen represent the fact that I'm a writer, and I love to read. They represent the fact that the written word travels, and it is translated so that all of us may read it at one point or another.

The picture depicting the music note represents my love for music. It shows that music is the international language, and it doesn't matter if you understand the words, as long as the music makes you feel something.

The picture of the old camera represents my love of photography, but at the same time, it represents the beauty of this world that can be found anywhere. There are no language barriers when it comes to photography.

Finally, my name appears on my logo because it is obviously a big part of my identity, but it also comes from both Hebrew and Japanese roots, proving that names are international.

Humanities 10: A Reflection

It's a little bit hard for me to explain just what Humanities has been like so far. I really enjoy the fact that it is a challenging class. Nothing is easy, and I like that. I don't want to coast through high school without any challenges. I want my marks to be earned, meaning I want to actually work for them, and that's what this class is all about.

I feel that I have many strengths in this class, but also a few weaknesses. In this class, I am able to use my love of writing. I actually have to think in this class, which is fantastic, because I have a mind that needs to be used, and challenged. I am able to work independently, but also in a group, which is a new experience, but something I feel will help me to develop as a student. So far, it has proven to be a strength, since I have been able to lead, but also to follow, which will help me later in life. Along with these strengths come weaknesses. I have to be creative, which is something I still struggle with. I have to find new, innovative ways to express myself, which is proving to be a challenge, but something that I will work on. I have had to follow, which is something I'm still learning to do. I'm used to taking charge, but I'm learning to follow directions from others, which is something that will benefit me now, and later on. This class is going to help me in so many ways. I can see the improvements already!

I'm supposed to talk about my successes and concerns, but all I can think of at the moment are the successes. This blog is a success. It's my new creative outlet, and I think I love it! My writing is a success, but then again, it always has been. I think that the class as a whole has been a success, including the group work, and all the assignments. It combines many different ways to learn about ourselves and the world around us, and it's really amazing. This class has changed how I view the world around me, and has helped me to see how the choices of those around me, even those I do not know, change me and my life.

In one sentence, Humanities is a challenging course that will help me now, and in the future, as well as a course that will change my outlook on life and the world around me.

The Unexamined Life

The street sign with PASSION written on it represents my personality. I am a very passionate person, about a lot of things, and it directs a lot of the aspects of my life, hence the street sign.

The statue of the Angel Moroni represents my religion and spirituality. Despite being a called “Mormon”, I find myself drawn to Moroni, who was a prophet of old. His words have helped me throughout my life, and I love that his horn points toward the future gathering place of the Saints.

The Union Jack represents my ethnicity. I am 2^nd generation Canadian, and my British ancestors are a big part of my life. They are what I come from. Their choice to move here changed our lives, but I still love the British part of me.

The “Welcome to Lacombe” sign represents my experiences. One of the most impacting experiences in my life was moving to Lacombe. It changed me, and parts of my personality. I’ve never been a small town girl, and yes, Lacombe is still a small town in my eyes, so it took a lot of adjusting, but in the end, I’m glad that life brought me here.

The piano spread with rose pedals is the arts. I play piano, love music and photography, and just love art in general. This picture is a perfect representation of the aspects of the arts that affect me most. 

Bibliography

AbsoluteAstronomy.com. (2010). Moroni(prophet). Retrieved October 13, 2010, from Absolute Astronomy: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Moroni_%28prophet%29

Johnson, M. (2007, June 19). booksblog: In Search of the Great British Novel. Retrieved October 13, 2010, from guardian.co.uk: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2007/jun/19/insearchofthegreatbritish

Photobucket. (2010). Find Stuff//Keyboard or Piano Pictures. Retrieved October 13, 2010, from Photobucket: http://media.photobucket.com/image/keyboard%20or%20piano/faye00701/Pianoandroses.jpg?o=45

SparkTalk. (2010, April 26). Defining The "Renaissance Personality". Retrieved October 13, 2010, from CAREEREALISM: http://www.careerealism.com/defining-renaissance-personality/

The Town of Lacombe. (1996-2000). Business. Retrieved October 13, 2010, from Town of Lacombe: http://www.town.lacombe.ab.ca/62/Visitor_Information/business.htm

A Strong Visceral Connection

"Music is a total constant. That's why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in you or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment."
— Sarah Dessen

I came across this quote the other day, and I realized just how much it made me think of myself. I first read the book it came from a few years ago, but I didn't realize then how much I relate to this quote. Each individual sentence in this quote relates to me in some way. Let me break it down for you.

"Music is a total constant." It is. In my life, the only thing that changes consistently with me is music. My musical taste changes as I grow, and the meaning of lyrics only become deeper with time. However, I will never get to a point where I hate music. For example, the song Better That We Break by Maroon 5 has a very deep meaning to me. The line that means the most is this, "I’m not fine, I’m in pain. It’s harder everyday. Maybe we’re better off this way? It’s better that we break…" This song has always meant something to me, but when my maternal grandparents split up, it became a constant in my life. I couldn't sleep without listening to it for about three months. The lyrics previously quoted helped me to realize that I wasn't alone in this. My burden had been shared by many. I wasn't the only one to experience the split of loved ones. Now, it means something a little bit different, but its still a constant. That song doesn't change, my interpretation does. Like Mika said, "This is my interpretation, and it don't, don't, make sense."

"That's why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know?" First off, visceral is defined as having to do with coarse or base emotions, or to proceed from instinct rather than intellect. What this means is that music makes us think, and makes us feel very basic, nevertheless, strong emotions. In order to feel these emotions, we have to understand what the artist is saying, and yes, musicians are artists. Mayday Parade writes, "And I hope this makes you happy now, that the flame we had is burning out. And I hope you like your pictures facing down, as even broken hearts may have their doubts." They're being a bit sarcastic here. They don't care what you think. They are over the hurt, and they want nothing to do with you, whoever you are. 

"Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person." This especially rings true for me. When I hear the song Grace Kelly by Mika, I think back to when I was in grade six. I was being bullied, and I was really far away from my extended family. You have to understand that my family is incredibly close, so I struggled. The song is basically saying that I will be who I am, and you can bash that, and try to change me, but I won't change for you. This song changed my outlook on my life at that point in time. I became quite a bit happier. I became more comfortable with who I was. This song came to me when I needed, and whenever I hear it, that is what I am reminded of. Another song that came to me exactly when I needed it was David Bowie's As The World Falls Down, from the 1986 motion picture Labyrinth, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. I grew up with this movie. It has been my favourite for as long as I can remember. It wasn't until I was 14 that I really listened to this song though. "As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you. Every thrill has gone, wasn't too much fun at all, but I'll be there for you, as the world falls down." This song makes me think of all the people that have been there for me through the years. People like my parents, my grandparents, my cousins, aunts, uncles, and various other family members. People like my best friend, and all of my other friends. This song is like a wake up call. I am not alone. I never will be. 

"No matter what else has changed in you or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment."This pretty much sums up my thoughts. That song never changes, even if you do. The only things that change are your interpretations of the lyrics, which can change continuously. I've loved this song for years. "How do you think I'm gonna get along without you when you're gone?" In Another One Bites the Dust, I'm pretty sure the boys of Queen aren't saying what I interpret the lyrics to mean. I think it means that you're not sure how to go on without a loved one, be it a friend, a family member, or a significant other. That song never changes for me, but the lyrical meaning does. As I grow up, the meaning changes for me.

To quote Abba, "Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing. Thanks for all the joy they're bringing. Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty? What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So, I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me." I'm incredibly thankful for music, and I could not live without it.